***Auction Highlight*** 1935 Hudson Old Commem Half Dollar 50c Graded ms66 BY SEGS (fc)

***Auction Highlight*** 1935 Hudson Old Commem Half Dollar 50c Graded ms66 BY SEGS (fc)
***Auction Highlight*** 1935 Hudson Old Commem Half Dollar 50c Graded ms66 BY SEGS. The Hudson Sesquicentennial Half Dollar was issued to celebrate the 150th anniversary of a small community in New York, named for the famous explorer Henry Hudson. The issue became another source of controversy after seemingly few of the coins were offered for sale directly to the public. The designs for the coin were prepared by Chester Beach, who earlier had designed the 1923 Monroe Half Dollar and 1935 Lexington-Concord Half Dollar. His design for the present coin featured an image recalling the seal of the city of Hudson on the obverse. The god Neptune sits backwards on a whale, while holding his trident. A mermaid appears to the left, blowing a conch shell. A banner above the image reads “Et Decus Et Pretium Recti” (Both the Honor and Reward of the Righteous).The reverse design featured an image of Henry Hudson’s ship, the Half Moon. A somewhat cartoonish crescent moon appears to the left, implying the name of the ship. Distribution of the Hudson Half Dollars was supposed to take place through the Hudson Sesquicentennial Committee via the First National Bank and Trust of Hudson at an issue price of $1 per coin. Only a few days after the start of sales, a complete sell out of the 10,000 mintage was announced. It is said that two coin dealers had purchased nearly the entire amount in a bulk transaction. These coins were soon offered by the dealers at inflated prices, near $9 a coin, since they controlled the majority of the supply. Collectors were outraged, but this was a situation often repeated in the 1934-1939 commemorative era.Today, Hudson's are highly prized by commemorative collectors, especially in Gem condition. The typical Hudson grades MS63 to MS65. There are some circulated grade examples but the vast majority of Hudson's are mint state. Superb MS66 examples are rare, and there are only a handful of MS67 examples known. Most Hudson have semi-frosty luster and many are toned to various degrees. Strike can often be somewhat of an issue and sophisticated collectors look for specimens with "fully struck sails." A Key Date's Pick, Bid to Win, Don't let it get Away Coin