An eagle in a circle with scrolls held by its beak and stars above, with the words `IOWA STATEHOOD CENTENNIAL` and dates surrounding the circle
Obverse script
Latin
Obverse lettering
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HALF
DOLLAR
IN GOD WE TRUST
THE OLD STONE CAPITAL IOWA CITY
LIBERTY
Reverse description
A building with the American motto above and the denomination below, with the country name around the rim
Reverse script
Latin
Reverse lettering
IOWA STATEHOOD CENTENNIAL
1846-1946
OUR LIBERTIES WE PRIZE
OUR RIGHTS WE WILL MAINTAIN
AND
E PLURIBUS UNUM (Translation: Iowa Statehood Centennial 1846-1946 Our Liberties we Prize Our Rights We Will Maintain And Out of Many, One)