Three half-dollar coins used by Rebbe Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson– Rebbe Rayatz of Lubavitch, in 1946, for fulfilling the mitzvah of Machatzit HaShekel (half-shekel).
Silver coins; minted in 1945/1946.
Letter of authenticity enclosed (handwritten note, in English), signed in Hebrew by Shalom Ber (Barry) Gurary (1923-2005), grandson of Rebbe Rayatz (son of his daughter Rebbetzin Chana and her husband Shemaryahu Gurary – the Rashag): "I hereby gift…. The 3 silver half shekel coins that my grandfather used to do the mitzvah of machzis hashekel in 1946. I brought him the coins from the bank. He did the mitzvah, I redeemed the coins with other money and saved the coins". The letter is dated 29th January, 1989.

Chabad Chassidim customarily give three silver Machatzit HaShekel coins before the minchah prayer of the Fast of Esther. Rebbe Rayatz was accustomed to giving Machatzit HaShekel coins on behalf of his family as well. The Lubavitcher Rebbe used to give three silver half-dollar coins as Machatzit HaShekel (see Orchot Menachem, pp. 115-117).
Good condition.