Shoutout to 
The coin was minted to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty's dedication on October 28, 1886. France gave us that copper lady back in 1886 and by 1982 she was looking rough. Congress authorized a commemorative coin program to help fund the restoration of both the statue and Ellis Island.
The obverse shows a ship of immigrants arriving in New York Harbor with Lady Liberty and the morning sun greeting them. The reverse features an immigrant family with their luggage standing on the threshold of America. The words "A Nation of Immigrants" are inscribed on the back. They also called this one the "Immigrant Half Dollar" for that reason.
This program was massive. Nearly 7 million proof versions were struck at San Francisco. Part of the purchase price went directly to the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation. They raised over $83 million in surcharges from coin sales alone. Most successful commemorative program in Mint history at the time.
It's clad, not silver. Copper-nickel. But it's a proof with mirror fields and frosted details. Looks sharp. Fits right into the commemorative collection.
I like commemoratives because every coin has a story. This one tells the story of millions of people who came here looking for something better.
Funny timing though. In 1986 we minted millions of coins celebrating immigrants and calling ourselves "A Nation of Immigrants." Now DHS is rounding people up and deporting them. Same country. Different message. Makes you wonder what we actually stand for anymore.
If you have any further information about this coin you would like to add, like historical information I left out or want to correct any I may have gotten wrong, please drop it in the comments.
Thanks for reading,
Joe
Notes:
-All content is mine unless otherwise annotated.
-Images are my own unless otherwise noted.
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