Coin profile
Reported standard-issue mintage / distribution: 1935-S: 70,132; 1936-D: 30,092
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1935–1936 San Diego–California Pacific Exposition Half Dollar
The story behind this coin
The California Pacific International Exposition commissioned this coin for its San Diego fair. The first issue was struck at San Francisco in 1935; a revised sales campaign produced a Denver issue dated 1936. Unsold pieces from both releases were melted, creating two regular mintmarked issues with different net distributions.
Design and symbolism
Obverse: Minerva and the California seal.
Reverse: California Tower and Chapel.
Regular issues and mintages
| Regular issue | Mint | Net distribution / collector mintage |
|---|---|---|
| 1935-S | San Francisco | 70,132 |
| 1936-D | Denver | 30,092 |
The figures in this 1935–1936 San Diego–California Pacific Exposition Half Dollar table report the regular collector issues shown for this commemorative. Where sponsors returned unsold coins for melting, the listed quantity reflects net distribution rather than the larger number initially struck.