1925 50c Stone Mountain, ALA. Counterstamp MS

ARK.Counterstamp. The 1925 Stone Mountain commemorative features the iconic, larger-than-life monument that was carved into the face of Stone Mountain in northern Georgia depicting Confederate States of America President Jefferson Davis and rebel generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. More than 1.3 million coins were distributed, making it the second most-widely distributed classic commemorative half dollar following the 1893 Columbian half dollar. Sold for $1 each and promoted by the Stone Mountain Confederate Monumental Association, the Stone Mountain half dollar was designed by Gutzon Borglum.

Many Stone Mountains are circulated, and a large number of these coins bear countermarks with various state abbreviations, numbers, and other markings. These counterstamps date back to a distribution system in which various numbers of the coin were sold by the Stone Mountain Confederate Monumental Association through governors and program chairmen in various states. The counterstamped Stone Mountain half dollars are collectible in their own right. Meanwhile, most ordinary Stone Mountain halves are known in uncirculated grades ranging from MS63 to MS66. Pieces grading MS67 are scarce and those in MS68 or higher condition are extremely rare.