Lot 2541

Description

USA, 1935 Connecticut Tercentenary commemorative silver half dollar. Toned, uncirculated.

In a slab by PCGS as MS66. Mintage was 25,018. In commemoration of the three hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Colony of Connecticut a souvenir half dollar was struck. This obverse design represents the Charter Oak, a tree about 1,000 years old and some 21 feet around near the base before lightning destroyed it in 1856. In 1662, King Charles II had granted a royal charter for the colony; but when James II succeeded to the throne, he sought to recall all his predecessor's charters. Governor Sir Edmund Andros visited the colonial authorities at Hartford and he announced one evening that he intended to seize the charter and return it to the King. However, the charter was hidden in the oak tree's historic cavity. Andros left, infuriated over this but it was returned after the king's removal in 1688.