In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue but in 1992 the U.S. Mint made a coin for you. Corny rhymes aside, the 1992 Columbus Half Dollar was issued to mark the 500th or quincentenary anniversary of the discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus. It was one of three coins issued, which also included a silver dollar and $5 gold coin.

The obverse was designed by T. James Ferrell and features Columbus landing in the New World with a dual date “1492 1992” and the phrase “IN GOD WE TRUST”. On the outer periphery is the word “LIBERTY”. Located in the lower right portion of the design in a sand dune are the designers initials “TJF”. Just below the Y in Liberty is the mint mark “S” for San Francisco or “D” for Denver, (note: proof coins were only minted at San Francisco and business strikes were only minted at Denver).

The reverse was designed by Thomas D. Rogers and features Columbus' three ships the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria with the phrase “500th ANNIVERSARY OF COLUMBUS DISCOVERY”. Located just below the ship design is the phrase “E PLURIBUS UNUM”. On the outer periphery are the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HALF DOLLAR”.