Few coins in the history of American coinage more powerfully capture the adventure, sacrifice, and perseverance of the pioneer era. The 1928 Oregon Trail Half Dollar is a masterpiece issued to honor the courage and hope of the pioneers who set out west in the 19th century.
 This coin has been graded MS66 (Gem Mint State) by NGC and is a must-have for collectors, combining artistic merit, historical value, and rarity. It is particularly popular among classic American commemorative coins and is a consistently popular item at Goldsilverjapan.
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 Historical Background – What is the Oregon Trail?
 The Oregon Trail was more than just a road; it was a lifeline symbolizing the American Westward Expansion. In the mid-19th century, hundreds of thousands of pioneers made the arduous 2,000-mile journey from Missouri to Oregon. They faced numerous challenges, including river floods, mountain range crossings, disease, starvation, and conflicts with Native Americans.
 In the 20th century, calls for this history to be remembered forever grew, and Ezra Meeker and others founded the Oregon Trail Commemorative Association. With Congressional approval, commemorative coins were issued in 1926, with mintage continuing intermittently until 1939. The 1928 coin is particularly rare and highly coveted by collectors.
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 Highly artistic design
 The greatest appeal of this coin is its artistic design, which is considered one of the finest among American commemorative coins.
 Obverse – Native American Guardian
 The obverse was designed by sculptor James Earl Fraser, who is also known for creating the Buffalo Nickel. It depicts a Native American standing tall with his hand raised, halting the advance of pioneers. Behind him is a map of the Americas, with the Oregon Trail, a route to the west, marked in bold lines.
 Reverse – A covered wagon symbolizing the journey west
 The reverse was designed by Fraser's wife, the renowned sculptor Laura Gardin Fraser. It depicts a covered wagon and oxen pulling it, with a family moving forward, and the setting sun symbolizing both the hope of heading west and the end of the journey. This design, full of artistry and storytelling, is considered one of the most beautiful in the history of American commemorative coins.
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 The rarity of the 1928 issue
 Oregon Trail commemorative silver coins were minted intermittently from 1926 to 1939, but the total number of coins issued in 1928 was only 6,028. As a result, the number available on the market is extremely limited, and coins in mint grade or better are extremely valuable.
 The MS66 rating by NGC is equivalent to the "Gem" class, and the state of preservation, brilliance, and clarity of the inscription are all maintained at a high level. Coins of this level are rare on the market and are highly valued by collectors and investors.
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 Grading and preservation
 • Grade: NGC MS66
 • Gloss: Fully retains original mint gloss
 • Engraving: Sharp engraving down to the finest detail, with clear details of the figures and the wagon.
 • Scratches: There are almost no noticeable contact marks, and the overall appearance is not affected.
 • Eye appeal: outstanding presence and shine
 There are only a limited number of 1928 Oregon Trail silver coins in such good condition in the world.
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 Collectibility and investment value
 The 1928 Oregon Trail Commemorative Half Dollar is an excellent investment for the following reasons:
 1. Limited supply – The number of coins issued is small, and the number currently in existence is limited, so they will continue to be difficult to obtain.
 2. High Demand – It is one of the most popular classic American commemorative silver coins and is always in strong demand.
 3. Artistic value – It is a highly refined piece of sculptural art and also has the aspect of a work of art.
 4. Market performance – There are many examples of these being traded at high prices at auctions, and future value increases are expected.
 At Goldsilverjapan, this coin is particularly popular among the American commemorative silver coin series, and is recommended from the perspective of long-term investment and asset preservation.
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 summary
 The 1928 Oregon Trail Commemorative Silver Coin (NGC MS66) is more than just a collector's item; it is an artistic and historical artifact that symbolizes the history of the American frontier.
 • A story that celebrates the courage and sacrifice of the pioneers of the West
 • Artistically perfect design by Mr. and Mrs. Fraser
 • Rare due to low mintage and high grade
 • A masterpiece that combines collectibility and investment value
 All of these qualities make this piece extremely attractive not only to collectors but also to history enthusiasts and investors.
 Goldsilverjapan carefully selects and introduces coins with historical value such as these from the rare coin market both in Japan and overseas. This coin is one of the core pieces, and owning it will greatly raise the status of your entire collection.