Product Details

The 1936 Albany Charter Commemorative Half Dollar is a United States commemorative coin produced in honor of the 250th anniversary of Albany, New York, receiving its city charter. That charter was granted in 1686 by English colonial governor Thomas Dongan. Created by sculptor Gertrude K. Lathrop, the coin was approved by Congress and struck at the Philadelphia Mint with an authorized maximum mintage of 25,000 coins. This example of the 1936 Albany Charter Commemorative Half Dollar has earned an MS66+ certification, offering a well-preserved field with notable eye appeal. Right now, the 1936 Albany Charter Commemorative Half Dollar is available from Bullion Metals.

Arrives in a protective plastic slab!Honors the 250th anniversary of the Albany Charter!Total mintage of 17,671 coins!Contains .36169 troy oz of actual silver content.Bears a face value of $.50 (USD).The obverse features a design honoring the awarding of Albany’s charter.On the reverse are a beaver and a maple branch.

Arrives in a protective plastic slab!

Honors the 250th anniversary of the Albany Charter!

Contains .36169 troy oz of actual silver content.

Bears a face value of $.50 (USD).

The obverse features a design honoring the awarding of Albany’s charter.

On the reverse are a beaver and a maple branch.

This 1936 Albany Charter Commemorative Half Dollar Coin comes with an MS66+ certification. A satin luster bathes the obverse field of the coin beneath its subtle golden toning, with a reverse side that boasts a bright, silver field framed by golden-brown toning around the rim. There is an even, satin texture on the devices on both sides of the coin.

The Albany Charter Commemorative Half Dollar was issued by the United States Mint to mark the 250th anniversary of Albany’s municipal charter and to help provide funding for the city’s anniversary celebrations in 1936. During the 1930s, Congress frequently authorized commemorative coin programs as a way to raise money for local expositions, historical commemorations, and milestone anniversary events. These coins were typically sold to collectors for more than face value, with the extra proceeds used to support the event being recognized. In Albany’s case, the local committee successfully petitioned Congress for approval of the coin, with plans to use the funds generated through sales to help cover the cost of public celebrations and historical programs honoring this important chapter in the city’s history.

The obverse of the 1936 Albany Charter Half Dollar Coin depicts Thomas Dongan, the British colonial Governor of New York, who granted Albany its charter in 1686, alongside Robert Livingston, the city’s first recorder and an influential figure in Albany’s early leadership. Both men appear standing in period attire, with Dongan holding a document believed to represent the charter itself.

On the reverse of the 1936 Albany Charter Commemorative Half Dollar, the design features a beaver gnawing on a maple branch. This imagery was selected to symbolize the fur trade, which played a major role in Albany’s early growth and economic success. The beaver is shown in profile at the center of the design, with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” arched above and “HALF DOLLAR” below. The date “1936” is placed near the lower portion of the design, and the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” is also included. Together, these elements reflect Albany’s Dutch colonial roots and its historical importance as a key trading settlement.