The 1935 Connecticut Tercentenary half dollar was struck to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the founding of colony of Connecticut in 1635. The one-year type coin, designed by Henry Kreis, depicts on its obverse the famous Charter Oak, a large white oak tree in the Connecticut city of Hartford; legend says the Connecticut charter was hidden in the grand tree's trunk when King James II sent Royal Governor of the Dominion Sir Edmond Andros to revoke the charter granted by King Charles II.

These popular commemorative coins were sold for $1 each and remain popular today as scarce, but not rare, collectibles. Most examples are known in uncirculated grades, though finding true Gems can be tough because of the large flat surfaces on the reverse across the eagle's wing -- a place where nicks and marks are commonplace. Still, MS65s are plentiful and MS66s are scarce. Examples grading MS67 or higher are rare.