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The Oregon Trail commemorative half dollars
were struck to commemorate the Oregon Trail and to honor the
thousands of pioneers who traveled it, many of whom lie buried
along the 2,000 mile historical highway. This lovely coin's obverse
was designed by James Earl Fraser (who also designed the popular
buffalo nickel) while the reverse was designed by his wife, Laura
Gardin Fraser. The obverse features a Native American superimposed
over a map of the United States with a wagon train strung out
along the trail. The reverse shows a Conestoga wagon pulled by
oxen carrying a pioneer family along the trail toward the setting
sun. Mintage of the 1938-D was only 6,005.
This Oregon Trail half dollar has a superb strike,
interesting toning, blazing lustre and mark-free surfaces. PCGS
has certified only 28 specimens of the 1938-D as MS-68 with only
one coin graded higher, an MS-69.
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