Countdown to America's 250th Anniversary 
Adam Pietz
Medallic Artist
Obverse & Reverse
Iowa Centennial Half Dollar
1946 Iowa Statehood Centennial Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin Obverse
1946 Iowa Statehood Centennial Commemorative Silver Half Dollar Coin Reverse
Background
The Iowa Centennial Half Dollar was released in 1946 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Iowa statehood.
Recipient Organization
The public law stated: "The coins herein authorized shall bear the date of the year in which they are minted, shall be legal tender to the amount of their face value, and shall be issued only upon the request of a duly authorized representative of the State of Iowa, upon the payment by it of the par value such coins. Such coins shall be issued in such numbers and at such times during the calendar year 1946 as shall be requested by such State of Iowa and may be disposed of at par or at a premium, and the net proceeds shall be used for the observation of the centennial as directed by the Governor of the State of Iowa."
Characteristics
The obverse design features the first stone capitol building at Iowa City.
The reverse features the Iowa State Seal of an eagle with wings spread outward, holding a large ribbon with the words 'Our Liberties Our Rights We Prize and Will Maintain.'
Obverse Inscriptions
- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
- IN GOD WE TRUST
- THE OLD STONE CAPITOL IOWA CITY
- LIBERTY
- HALF DOLLAR
Reverse Inscriptions
- IOWA STATEHOOD CENTENNIAL
- 1846-1946
- E PLURIBUS UNUM
- OUR LIBERTIES OUR RIGHTS WE PRIZE AND WILL MAINTAIN