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My New Sesqui Set

Started by Lastufka Collection,

13 posts in this topic

Lastufka Collection

Lastufka Collection

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Since day one that I signed up for the Collector's Society here at NGC, I've had the 1926 Sesquicentennial Gold Commemorative at the top of my want list. I'm not really a commemorative collector, but I saw it one day while paging through the Red Book fell in love. I finally purchased one at last week's TeleTrade auction...

 

Sesqui-Set.jpg

 

The Coin

 

The coin is gold, containing just over 1/10th of an ounce. It was designed by John R. Sinnock and was distributed at the 1926 Sesquicentennial fair in Philadelphia to help raise funds for the fair. The total mintage was relatively low, just over 46,000 with the remaining unsold coins being melted by the mint.

 

This example was graded MS 63, but looks better. In fact its only major marks are two above the L in Liberty on the obverse, and as they mirror the flames from the torch above them, making the L look as if it were on fire, I actually really like them.

 

You can view a higher res image in my registry set here.

 

The Bell

 

As far as I can tell the copper bell attached to the 1" button was also sold at the same fair in Philadelphia in 1926, but my research hasn't been able to turn up a manufacturer. On the front of the bell is the engraving "Liberty Bell 1776 / 1926" and on the back of the bell is "150th Anniversary Signing the Declaration of Independence". The button also features the words "Sesqui-Centennial Philadelphia 1776-1926 150 Years of Independence".

 

The Stamps

 

I also picked up a plate block, MNH (mint, never hinged) of Sesquicentennial commemorative stamps. These are very affordable today as over 307,731,900 of them were issued, a high amount for commemorative stamps at that time. They were designed by Aubrey Huston, and are an incredibly beautiful way to mark the anniversary.

 

I now plan to shadowbox this set to display to guests and other collectors. Thanks for taking a look. Happy collecting!

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cpm9ball

cpm9ball

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Very nice, Alan! Of course, I needn't remind you that when your shadowbox is finished you should display it somewhere that won't be affected by sunlight.

 

Chris

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BillJones

BillJones

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The Liberty Bell was a major symbol of the Sesquicentennial. Somewhere, perhaps near the center of the fair, there was a huge reproduction of the bell in lights. At the time it was was billed as the largest lighted stature of its kind in the world. I've got a postcard with a picture of it.

 

The Sesquicentennial celebration itself was a financial flop. The attendence was way below expectations, and some the exhibit buildings were never finished. Since the 1876 Centennial world's fair in Philadelphia had been a big success, the failure of this one was a big disappointment.

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Lastufka Collection

Lastufka Collection

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The Liberty Bell was a major symbol of the Sesquicentennial. Somewhere, perhaps near the center of the fair, there was a huge reproduction of the bell in lights. At the time it was was billed as the largest lighted stature of its kind in the world. I've got a postcard with a picture of it.

 

Bill, that's awesome. Do you have a picture of the postcard anywhere? Would love to see it.

 

Of course, I needn't remind you that when your shadowbox is finished you should display it somewhere that won't be affected by sunlight.

 

Not a concern. My hobby room/office only has one window, and it's covered full-time by a double honeycomb blind. The sun makes me melt. ;)

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HCumberdale

HCumberdale

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I like the idea of shadowboxing this collection of coin and related memorabilia. The coin itself looks great as well, and I was previously unaware of it. The art deco style obverse is really quite nice.

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