Wikipedia talk:Featured article candidates/Wisconsin Territorial Centennial half dollar/archive1

The Wisconsin Territorial Centennial half dollar was designed by David Parsons and Benjamin Hawkins and minted by the United States Bureau of the Mint in 1936. The obverse depicts a pick axe and lead ore, referring to the lead mining in early Wisconsin; the reverse depicts a badger and the territorial seal. Organizers of the territorial centennial celebration sought a commemorative half dollar as a fundraiser; at this time newly-issued commemorative coins found a ready market from collectors and speculators. Accordingly, legislation was introduced by Senator Robert M. La Follette Jr., which passed Congress without opposition. When initial designs by Parsons were rejected by the Commission of Fine Arts, Hawkins was hired, and he executed the designs, though Parsons was also given credit. A total of 25,000 pieces were coined for public sale in July 1936. Sales were weak and the coins were vended by the Wisconsin Historical Society until the late 1950s. The coins catalog for up to $250.