The Gettysburg half dollar commemorates the 75th anniversary of the pivotal Civil War battle that took place in 1863. However, it was the height of the commemorative coin frenzy, and instead of waiting until 1938 to issue the coin, promoters got a two-year jump on the matter and requested it be issued in 1936. While promoters wanted 20,000 from the Philadelphia Mint and 15,000 each from Denver and San Francisco, a total of 26,928 were minted in Philly and originally sold for $1.65 apiece, though prices eventually rose to $2.65 per coin.

The coin was designed by Frank Vittor and in Gem is one of the scarcer commemorative halves from the 1892-1954 era. Many Gettysburg half dollars are in nice condition, many offering white, lustrous surfaces. Buyers should pay closer attention to the flat surface on the Union shield on the reverse, where marks are often found. While MS65 and MS66 specimens are on the scarce side, this coin becomes especially rare in the grades of MS67 or above.