USA. Columbian Exposition 1893. Half Dollar 1893. KM 117. AR. 12.53 g. 30.5 mm. Prooflike. Light iridescent tone. Rare as such. FDC. Almost one million examples were struck in 1892 and an additional 1,548,300 struck in 1893, the coins were sold at the exposition for $1 a piece. This turned out to be the numismatic equivalent of 'the eyes were bigger than the stomach' and large quantities of the coins went unsold. Ultimately, the remaining pieces - predominately 1893-dated coins - were released into general circulation, where they could occasionally be found in change decades later. This experience soured the Treasury on commemorative half dollars for several years afterwards. Despite having the larger mintage of the two years, the 1893 half dollars are much more easily found in lower grades and is not nearly as available in the higher Mint State levels.