leeg

Thanks all so far for the comments. John Frederick Lewis sketches for the Sesquicentennial of American Independence half dollar. Taxay’s Commemorative Coinage (he pulled from the National Archives), p. 115. For the Commission: Very respectfully. Models for the quarter eagle were submitted to the Commission on April 24 and approved a few days later. On the 30th, Moore advised Director Grant: Dear Sir: The Commission of Fine Arts, at their meeting on April 29, 1926, approved the models submitted by you of the $2.50 gold piece for the Sesquicentennial Exhibition. The Commission recommend that the word ‘Liberty’ on the obverse be swung around a little and the letters E and R reset, so as not to touch the figure; also the rosettes on both the obverse and reverse be removed. The models are herewith returned. For the Commission: Very respectfully, yours. Sesquicentennial of American Independence half dollar modeled by John Sinnock. Taxay p. 116. In view of the fact that the Independence half dollar was designed by John Frederick Lewis, one may well question the Mint’s accuracy in attributing the coin, without qualification, to its own engraver. Perhaps after these forty years, it is time for a new credit line.”4 4 An Illustrated History of U.S Commemorative Coinage, Don Taxay, Arco Publishing Company, Inc., New York, 1967, p. 111-112, 117.

"To Milton Medary from the Secretary of the Commission of Fine Arts H.R. Caemmerer on August 28, 1925, regarding the design of the Sesquicentennial of Independence Commemorative coin. Under date of August 10 I asked Mr. Mc. (sic) McAleer of the Sesquicentennial Commission as to whether any action has been taken with regard to the proposed gold and silver coins, and concerning which we wrote him on May 6 – copies of the letters enclosed. I have received no reply from him to date. I would appreciate it if you would find out from Mr. McAleer what they have done about the matter.”3 3 The Authoritative Reference on Commemorative Coins 1892-1954, by Kevin Flynn, published by Kyle Vick, 2008, p. 325. AUTHORIZED on March 3, 1925, by the act that created a National Sesquicentennial Commission, the Independence coins are, historically speaking, our most important memorial issues. They are also remarkable in the story of their artistic development, beginning with the Mint’s furtive handling of the affair to the final, deliberate misattribution of the artist who designed the half dollar. . . I have received no reply from him to date. I would appreciate it if you would find out from Mr. McAleer what they have done about the matter. Sincerely yours. Medary replied on the 31st: Dear Mr. Caemmerer: I have your letter of August 28th and this morning I called on Mr. McAleer in connection with the gold and silver coins. He informs me that the new designer at the Philadelphia Mint is at work on the designs which have not yet proved satisfactory. He also informs me that the Association has not yet given up hope of securing Congressional authority for the $1.50 gold piece and that there is some thought of having a series of designs representing different periods in the growth of the country, as for instance, the original colonies, the Louisiana Purchase, the California and Texas accessions, etc. The whole matter is still on his desk and he had expected to communicate with the Commission when it had assumed more definite form. Sincerely yours. Apparently dissatisfied with the designs by Mint engraver John Sinnock, the Sesquicentennial Committee engaged artist John Frederick Lewis to do the work. On December 8, exposition director Asher C. Baker submitted Lewis’ designs to Charles Moore, 1 who forwarded them, on the 11th, to Mint Director Grant: Dear Sir: The Commission of Fine Arts, at their meeting on December 10, 1925, approved the enclosed sketch of the Sesquicentennial half dollar, received from Mr. Asher C. Baker, Director in Chief of the Sesquicentennial International Exposition Commission, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The sketch was approved with the understanding that the models will be prepared by a competent medalist and submitted to the Commission. The Commission understands that the sketch awaits your approval and that of the Secretary of the Treasury, after which it is to be returned to Mr. Baker. The models for this coin come to the Commission of Fine Arts through the Office of the Director of the Mint, as is usual. Very respectfully. Since there is no mention of any quarter-eagle sketches, it is possible that they were not approved by the Commission. Or it may be that Baker’s reference to ‘coins’ in connection with Lewis’ designs was an error, and that only those for a half dollar were actually submitted. In any event, Sinnock’s sketches for the quarter eagle were sent to Moore on February 27, 1926 and, five days later, forwarded for criticism to Lorado Taft. On March 13, while the Commission of Fine Arts was still deliberating over Sinnock’s design, Mint director Grant submitted the engraver’s models for the half dollar. Though these were undoubtedly approved by the Commission, the next letter we find, on March 26, mentions only the quarter eagle. Moore wrote to Grant: Sir: The Commission of Fine Arts, at their meeting on March 25, 1926, approved sketches of the Sesquicentennial $2.50 gold piece, which you submitted with your letter of February 27th, with the suggestion that the obverse show the years 1776 and 1926, as indicated on the sketch, also that ‘E Pluribus Unum’ be omitted from the obverse. Sketch marked ‘A’ is preferred for the reverse, with the suggestion that the sun and its rays be omitted. The Commission would be pleased to see models of the obverse and reverse of the proposed coin. The Sketches are herewith returned to you. 1. Baker wrote to Moore: ‘I have received from John Frederick Lewis, Esq., the designs for the coins which, at his request, I submit for your inspection and approval.’

Just a bit of history: Half dollar coinage of 1,000,528 during May and June of 1926, with 528 coins for assay and 859,408 melted. Designs by John Frederick Lewis.1 modeling by John R. Sinnock. Sponsored by the National Sesquicentennial Exhibition Commission, Asher C. Baker, Director in Chief. Image courtesy of Ira and Larry Goldberg Auctions. Quarter Eagle coinage of 200,226 with 226 coins for assay, 154,207 melted. Designed and modeled by John R. Sinnock. Image courtesy of Stefanie, coinsarefun, on the PCGS Coin Forum. Authorized by Congress on March 3, 1925 and issued to celebrate the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and other purposes. 1 An Illustrated History of U.S Commemorative Coinage, Don Taxay, Arco Publishing Company, Inc., New York, 1967, p. 117. Design: Half Dollar Obverse: Accolated busts of President Washington and President Coolidge, to right; in lower field, IN GOD WE TRUST; at top, around border, LIBERTY; at bottom, around border, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The sculptor’s initials appear at bottom of Washington’s bust. Half Dollar Reverse: The Liberty Bell; in left field, 1776; in right field, 1926; on slightly raised band around entire border, SESQUICENTENNIAL OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE . HALF DOLLAR . in upper, E. PLURIBUS UNUM. The bell is inscribed with Leviticus 25:10, ‘Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.’ The verse refers to the Year of Jubilee when slaves were to be set free in accordance with Hebrew tradition. The inscription on the Bell is in very small letters and is given herewith in the form in which it appears upon the coin, as well as with the complete text, with the portions not shown in brackets: As the Bell was created to commemorate the golden anniversary of Penn's Charter, the quotation ‘Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof, from Leviticus 25:10, was particularly apt. For the line in the Bible immediately preceding ‘proclaim liberty’ is, ‘And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year.’ What better way to pay homage to Penn and hallow the 50th year than with a bell proclaiming liberty? 2 ½ Dollar Obverse: Figure of Liberty, to left, holding in right hand a torch and in left hand a scroll, the latter emblematic of the Declaration of Independence, and standing on a segment of globe; in lower left field, 1776; in middle right field, 1926; at top, around border, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; at bottom, around border, LIBERTY. 2 ½ Dollar Reverse: Independence Hall, Philadelphia; in upper field, IN GOD WE TRUST; below, E PLURIBUS UNUM; at top, around border, SESQUICENTENNIAL OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE; at bottom, around border, 2½ DOLLAR. The artist’s initials JRS are incused above right wing of the Hall. “If all the proposed new United States commemorative coins are issued, collectors will be able to add a number of new ones during the coming year to this interesting and rapidly growing series. First in importance, but which will probably be the last of the new ones to be issued, are those commemorating the sesquicentennial of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence. Authority for these is vested in Senate Joint Resolution 187, introduced by Senator Pepper, of Pennsylvania. As introduced, the resolution provided for the issue of 500,000 $1.50 gold pieces, 500,000 silver 50-cent pieces, and the Secretary of the Treasury was also authorized to issue notes of $1 denomination of special design. As passed, the resolution provided for a $2.50 gold piece, a silver 50-cent piece, and the section authorizing the special $1 note was omitted. The resolution also creates a commission, to be known as the National Advisory Commission to the Sesquicentennial Exhibition Association, to be composed of the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce and two citizens from each of the several States and each of the United States possessions. The commission is to confer with and advise the officers and directors of the Sesquicentenial Exhibition Association in connection with the holding of a national and international exhibition in Philadelphia in 1926 in celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence. The usual features of the coinage laws apply to this issue of coins.”2 2 The Numismatist, New United States Commemorative Coins, April 1925, p. 200-201. More to follow.

Much congrats!!

Thanks all. That's a beauty above!

The "P" coin in NGC 67 FT is a bear to find for a reasonable price. This will have to do for now (POP 2/0):

Very nice Gold! Snagged this piece yesterday: POP 13/0

I found a 1957 P in 67RB. Thanks all for any help provided!

Hi, Nice coins. They both say out of stock?

Retired Navy and would like to have one in my collection. Looking for a Proof example. Thanks! PM me please.

Way To Go All!!!

Still in search of the 1957 Lincoln in 67 RB. I guess a nice RD will do.

A "Charmy" coin:

The Society for U.S. Commemorative Coins was formed in 1983. They started the Commemorative Trail Newsletter. All the Heavy Hitters in the Early Commemorative series were part of this Society. Maybe a good reason prices rose?

Some SUPER copper throughout this thread!!

Snagged this piece recently. I had a 66+ in the slot already so it had to be the right 67 to replace it. Adding the 67-D moved my birth year set from #7 to #6. I was at #3 last year.

Thanks all for the questions and Bob for his answers to those questions concerning the 1902 Indian Head Cent. PF68 Cameo (Sellers Image): Bob's Image:

A SUPER GROUP Buffalo Head!!

67 FT

Here they are. All coins are NGC graded. The first image is what I had, the second is what Bob did for me: More to follow.

bump

Did a search and didn't find this topic. I for sure didn't want to go thru 100 + pages to find one. I retired from the United States Navy in 1996. I found this piece and wanted to share. Post yours if you have one. And yes, I did cross into the Artic Circle on an Aircraft Carrier and do have this card.

In February thru April, 1924, 142,080 pieces were coined at the Philadelphia Mint with 80 pieces reserved for annual assay and 87,000 sold for a $1 each to the public. A quantity of 55,000 pieces went back to the Treasury Department, which placed the coins into circulation. Designed by George T. Morgan chief engraver of the mint, used designs suggested by Dr. John Baer Stoudt. Distributed by The National Huguenot-Walloon New Netherland Commission, Inc., Rev. John Baer Stoudt, director. Associated with the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America. Image courtesy of GC. Approved by Congress on February 26, 1923 and issued in commemoration of the three hundredth anniversary of the settling of New Netherland, the Middle States, in 1624, by Walloons, French and Belgian Huguenots, under the Dutch West India Company. Coin Description: Obverse: Profiles of Admiral Coligny and William the Silent, with their names, in small letters, below. Inscription above, ‘United States of America.’ Below, ‘Huguenot Half Dollar.’ To right of busts, ‘In God We Trust.’ Reverse: Ship Nieu Netherland, in which the first 30 families of settlers came to New York, with the dates at the sides, 1624 and 1924. Inscription above, Huguenot-Walloon Tercentenary. Below, Founding of New Netherland.