A Little Bit of Early Commemorative History

[leeg]

Been a little bit since I shared some early commemorative history. I just picked a random coin which turned out to be the 1936 York County, Maine, Tercentenary half dollar. Hope you enjoy the journey:

 

 

1936 Mintage of 25,015 with 15 coins reserved for assay, none melted. Designed by Walter H. Rich, modeled by the G. S. Pacetti Company of Boston, and distributed by the York County Commemorative Coin Commission, Walter P. Nichols, secretary and treasurer. Image courtesy jmj3esq4 on the PCGS Coin Forum.

 

Approved by Congress on June 26, 1936 and issued in commemoration of the three hundredth anniversary of the founding of York County, Maine.

 

Design:

Obverse: Seal of York County, a red cross on a shield, all within a medallion. In first quarter of shield, a pine-tree symbolic of the State. The other quartering’s are plain. At sides of shield: 1636-1936 Below, in gothic letters: IN – GOD – WE – TRUST curved within border of medallion. Around outer border, in very large Roman letters, both upper and lower inscriptions commencing at upper left: YORK – COUNTY – and FIRST – COUNTY – IN – MAINE.

 

Reverse: Stockade (Browns Garrison on the Saco River, taken from an old wood-cut), within medallion. In foreground, four sentries – one on horseback. In background of stockade, the rising sun. LIBERTY curved, in gothic letters, superimposed on rays of sun. In lower foreground on scroll in Gothic letters: E – PLURIBUS – UNUM parallel to medallion. Around outer border, in very large Roman letters, both upper and lower inscriptions commencing at lower left: UNITED – STATES – OF – AMERICA and HALF – DOLLAR At base, near border of medallion, small incused -script initials of designer: W.H.R.

 

“The bill authorizing the York County (Maine) half dollar was signed by President Roosevelt on June 26 and became Public Law No. 822. The bill authorized the issue of 25,000 [sic-bill authorized 30,000] and all will be struck at the Philadelphia Mint. It is expected the coins will be ready for distribution at the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the settlement of York County which will take place in August. The designs were made by Walter H. Rich, of Portland, Maine, artist, and have been approved by the Fine Arts Commission, at Washington, with the exception that it has requested the date and ribbon above the seal be removed.

 

The obverse shows the old stockade on the Saco River, on which site now stands the York National Bank, the first and oldest bank in Maine. The stockade was called Brown’s Garrison. The reverse shows the seal of York County.

 

Walter P. Nichols, secretary and treasurer of the York County Tercentenary Commemorative Coin Commission, who is a member of the ANA, will have charge of the distribution. He says:

‘The issue is limited to 25,000 coins, 10,000 of which are to be reserved for residents of York County and the State of Maine; therefore, we anticipate the entire issue will be sold the day it is released. The price has been set at $1.65 per coin, which includes packing, postage and insurance. Each order must be accompanied by a check or money order for the full amount of the order. The committee will endeavor to give preference to the applications in order of their receipt, subject to the following conditions: It is the intention of the committee that there shall be as wide a distribution of these coins to private collectors as possible, and for this reason the committee reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, all orders. If the committee decides to reject or scale down any order, refund will be made at the expiration of the distribution of the issue.'1

 

‘Walter P. Nichols, distributor of the York County half dollar, writes as follows:

‘The York County commemorative half dollar is in every way a State of Maine product, designed by a Maine man, the obverse and reverse emblematic of York County and distributed by citizens of the State of Maine.

 

The obverse shows Brown’s Garrison, one of the first stockades in existence, situated on the Saco River, in Saco, Maine, and was located on the site of the present York National Bank building. In a book published by Mr. Frank C. Deering, president of the York National Bank, in 1931, on the anniversary of one hundred years of that bank, entitled “The Proprietors of Saco,” Mr. Deering uses an old wood cut of this garrison, from which was taken the design.

 

The reverse is the seal of York County, which in on file in the State Library at Augusta, and which adorns the high leather-back chair of the presiding justice of the Superior Court at Alfred, Maine. The seal is a red cross in a white shield and in the upper left corner is the pine tree, emblematical of Maine, the Pine Tree State. Over the shield was the date 1636, but as we used this date opposite the 1936, this is eliminated on the coin.

 

Around the edge is inscribed “York County, The First County in Maine.” At that early date the thought of adding “Maine” after York County was overlooked, and not essential, as this was the only York County in existence. Today there are other York counties, but, Maine’s York County will always be the first.

 

The artist was Walter H. Rich, of Portland, Maine, and Falmouth Foreside. Mr. Rich is nationally known for his remarkable drawings of wild life, which show the greatest of detail and exactness of color.

 

The models were made by G. S. Pacetti Company of Boston, Mass. These were carved in solid brass and were a masterpiece. It was the first time such models had been submitted to the Treasury Department and to the United States Mint for a commemorative half dollar and caused many most favorable comments.

 

Twenty five thousand of the York County commemorative half dollars were minted, and 10,000 were reserved for the residents of York County and the State of Maine. This allotment was oversubscribed and additional assignments were made, which left a small number for collectors in the United States. An attempt has been made to supply individual collectors and the commission trusts that they have been successful.

 

Coins may be obtained by writing Mr. Walter P. Nichols, Treasurer, York National Bank, Saco, Maine. The cost per coin is $1.65, insured and postpaid.’2

 

1. The Numismatist, The York County Half Dollar, August, 1936, p. 613.

2. The Numismatist, The York County (Maine) Half Dollar, September, 1936, p. 713.

 

Original York County Map with coin in bottom right corner. The map lists all the pertinent information about the earliest days of York County, and was designed by the Maine State Planning Board and executed by Klir A. Beck. Image courtesy of Stacks Bowers Galleries.

 

 

Sketches by Walter H. Rich for York County, Maine, half dollar. Courtesy Taxay, p. 237.

 

Courtesy of the U. S. Commission of Fine Arts

 

Minutes of Meeting held in New York City, July 17, 1936.

 

The following members were present:

Mr. Moore, Chairman,

Mr. Clarke,

Mr. Lawrie,

Mr. Savage,

Mr. Borie,

Mr. Shepley,

 

Also Mr. H. P. Caemmerer, Executive Secretary and Administrative Officer.

 

Design for York County, Maine, Coin: Under date of July 14, 1936, the following letter was received from the Acting Director of the Mint, submitting sketches for the York County, Maine memorial coin to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the founding of the county:

 

July 14, 1936.

Hon. Charles Moore, Chairman

Commission of Fine Arts,

Navy Department Building,

Washington, D.C.

 

Dear Sir,

I am submitting sketches of a model for the coin authorized by Congress to be issued in commemoration of the three-hundredth anniversary of the founding of York County, Maine

 

The sketches are submitted with the understanding that the plaster model will be presented before final approval is attached by the Secretary of the Treasury.

 

Very truly yours,

 

(Signed) M.M. O’Reilly

Acting Director of the Mint.

 

The Commission were in conference with Mr. Walter R. Nichols, of Saco, Maine, in regard to the design. Mr. Nichols pointed out that for the obverse he had portrayed a fort built by the settlers in 1636 and for the reverse an emblem representing a seal of the York County Court in colonial days. Mr. Nichols is a banker and a collector of coins. He is, therefore, taking an active interest in both the celebration and in the matter of securing a suitable design for the coin.

 

A sketch model Mr. Nichols said was made by the G.S. Pacetti Co., die sinkers and letter cutters, 37 Hartford Street, Boston. The design for the lettering was done by Mr. Walter H. Rich of Portland, Maine, connected with the Bureau of Fishers of the Department of Commerce.

 

Mr. Lawrie gave the design particular attention and recommended that the date 1636 on the upper part of the obverse be omitted to avoid repetition on the model. The letter G in 'God' should be corrected and in general the lettering should be redesigned. The Commission approved the models subject to these criticisms and with the understanding that Mr. Nichols would present models satisfactory to the Mint. The corrections suggested are to be attended to at the mint at Philadelphia. Mr. Nichols said there is a great desire on the part of the people of York County to get these coins by August 1936 and the Acting Director of the Mint has promised them by that time. A report was sent to the Acting Director of the Mint.

(Exhibit A)

 

Exhibit A

 

July 24, 1936.

Dear Miss O’Reilly:

The Commission of Fine Arts at their meeting in New York City on July, 17, 1936, were in conference with Mr. Walter R. Nichols in regard to the York County, Maine, memorial coin. The Commission approve the design with the understanding that the date 1636 at the top of the obverse be omitted and that the G in ‘God’ be slightly corrected.

 

For the Commission of Fine Arts:

 

Very truly yours,

 

(Signed) Charles Moore

Chairman.

 

Hon. M. M. O’Reilly

Acting Director of the Mint

Treasury Department

Washington, D.C.

 

More to follow.

 

 

 

 

[RWB]

Nice information.

 

The design has to be one of the worst to make it onto a US commemorative -- not counting the ones that are mostly text. That the CFA approved this ugly, childish design is amazing...by 1936 they seemed to have become a rubber stand for mediocrity.

[123cents]

Great information Lee and I like the toned example!

[bsshog40]

Very nice random pick and great history lesson Lee! Thanks for sharing!

[mommam17]

also, it was hammered for it's over size borders.

[RWB]

What is the guy in the foreground riding? Is it a horse or a hyena? "Low-rider" horse, mule; short-neck giraffe? Got to stop looking at this train wreck -- did Lindsey Lohan have a hand (or butt) in this?

[leeg]

Thanks all, funny stuff Roger.

 

The history continues:

 

“COMPARED to the Oakland-Bay Bridge half dollar which Congress authorized the same day, the York County coin is an inferior piece of work. Of course, one can blame the amateurish rendering of Brown’s Garrison (the old stockade on the Saco River) on the woodcut that was foisted upon Portland artist Walter H. Rich.1 But the tedious background and oversized border inscriptions are less excusable, even granting that Rich was a wildlife painter and not a professional sculptor. The Commission of Fine Arts, for there part, was overworked, and probably gave but scant attention to the coin. At least, this would explain the passivity of secretary Caemmerer’s letter, on July 24, 1936 to Miss O’Reilly:

 

Dear Miss O’Reilly: The Commission of Fine Arts at their meeting in New York City on July 17, 1936 were in conference with Mr. Walter P. Nichols in regard to the York County, Maine, memorial coin. The commission approved the design with the understanding that the date 1636 at the top of the obverse be omitted and the G in ‘God’ be slightly corrected.

 

For the Commission of Fine Arts: Very truly yours.

 

Rich’s designs were modeled by the G. S. Pacetti Company of Boston, and reduced at the Medallic Art Company. According to Walter P. Nichols, the models ‘were carved in solid brass’ which caused widespread comment at the Mint.2 If so, the work must have been executed in record time, for on August 1, the Boston Advertiser reported:

 

SACO, ME., Aug. 1–all arrangements for the issuing of the York County, Me., Tercentenary half dollar, authorized by a special act of Congress, have been completed. The new coin will go on sale on August 15. In the meantime, hundreds of requests to reserve coins for them are being received by the York County Tercentenary Commission from collectors all over North America.

 

A special significance is attached to this issue because it is believed by several nationally known coin collectors that this may be the last special coin to be issued by the government for a long time to come. The only exceptions, these collectors believe, will be on the occasions of rare anniversaries of outstanding events that relate to the nation as a whole.

 

As a result of a special trip to Washington, New York, and Philadelphia, last week, by Walter P. Nichols, secretary and treasurer of the Tercentenary Commission, Boston business man and summer resident of York county, the coin is now in process of being minted. The design was made by Walter H. Rich, artist of Portland, Me., nationally known for his remarkable drawings of wild life. This design was approved by the Fine Arts Commission with headquarters in New York, [sic] and then by Secretary of the Treasury Morgenthau.”3

 

1. The woodcut was printed in “The Proprietors of Saco” by Frank C. Deering, 1931.

2. The Numismatist, Sept. 1936, p. 713.

3. An Illustrated History of U.S. Commemorative Coinage, Don Taxay, ARCO Publishing Co, Inc., New York, 1967,

p. 236 & 238.

 

Stockade and Block Houses (Brown’s Garrison) on site of York National Bank. Courtesy The Proprietors of Saco, by Frank Cutter Deering. Privately printed York National Bank, Saco, Maine, 1931, p. 44. A book in my numismatic library.

 

Notice the similarities of the two above. Image courtesy of the San Diego Collection.

 

Courtesy MACHINERY, Vol. 29, No. 1., The Industrial Press Publishers, New York, September 1922.

 

Still more to follow.

 

 

 

[RWB]

Good stuff! I hope it will all be in your commemorative coin book.

[leeg]

Good stuff! I hope it will all be in your commemorative coin book.

Much thanks Roger. I just might have to do that.

 

 

“…. This coin was distributed by the York County Tercentenary Commemorative Coin Association (Walter P. Nichols, Treasurer), Saco, Maine. Ten thousand were reserved for residents of York county and the state of Maine. As this number was oversubscribed, the amount was increased. The balance was offered by mail ($1.65 including shipping) to collectors outside the state. When the commemorative boom collapsed in 1937 the distributor had about 6,000 pieces remaining unsold. These were offered to collectors during the mid-1950’s in lots of 10 at $15.50 and quickly sold.

 

The view of Brown’s Garrison was copied from an old woodcut of the garrison which appeared in a history of the York National Bank in 1931. This bank is located on the same spot as the garrison. The models of the coin were carved in solid brass by G. S. Pacetti Company of Boston, Massachusetts before being submitted to the U.S. Mint.”4

 

“…. The committee for the Commemoration of the Founding of York County was in charge of arrangements and tapped Portland artist Walter H. Rich to create the designs. These were translated into models (apparently made of brass rather than the usual plaster or clay) by G.S. Pacetti Company of Boston, from which the Medallic Art Company made dies….

 

In his monograph on commemorative half dollars printed in 1937, B. Max Mehl gave his opinion of the motifs: ‘The design reminds one more of a medal than a coin and in my humble opinion would hardly win a beauty prize.’ On the other hand, Stuart Mosher, writing in 1940, considered the obverse design, ‘splendid.’

 

Distribution

Distribution was handled through the committee, which variously styled itself in printed literature as the York County Commemorative Coin Commission, the York County Tercentenary Commemorative Coin Commission, and, as stated on the enabling legislation, the Committee for the Commemoration of the Founding of York County.

 

Walter P. Nichols, an ardent numismatist and later a member of the American Numismatic Association Board of Governors (elected for two years in 1939), personally supervised all aspects of the release of the pieces and was careful to do everything in a proper manner. His actions became a model for other groups who intended to issue half dollars, and he corresponded with many of them to share his experiences and give advice. Much of this is recounted in the present author’s compilation, An Inside View of the Coin Hobby in the 1930s: The Walter P. Nichols File, and in letters to Nichols quoted in the present text.

 

At the outset 10,000 pieces were reserved for residents of Maine, and 15,000 were earmarked for sale out of state. At the original issue price of $1.50, apparently more than half went to Mainers, whereas those ordering from out of state paid $1.65 per coin and accounted for thousands more. After the initial burst of enthusiasm about 6,000 remained unsold and continued to be distributed through the 1950’s, well after Nichols’ death (August 8, 1941). Historian Arlie Slabaugh relates the Association sold pieces in the 1950’s for $15.50 per group of 10, at which time the remainders were quickly liquidated.

 

When the present writer’s firm auctioned coins from the Nichols estate in 1984, a few York County half dollars were included, so technically it can be said that complete distribution was not concluded until that late time.”5

 

“…. The first 100 coins struck were inserted into numbered maps depicting old York County Maine…. In 1937 Senator Wallace White of Maine requested an additional 5,000 coins be struck dated 1937. This request was denied by the Mint.

 

To the Acting Director of the Mint Mary O’Reilly from the Chairman of the York County Tercentenary Committee George Wentworth on July 21, 1936, regarding the York County, Maine Tercentenary Half Dollar.

 

I arrived in Saco Monday morning and at once told the committee how kind you were to me while I was in Washington.

 

4. United States Commemorative Coinage, 2nd ed., Arlie R. Slabaugh, Wisc., Whitman Publishing Co., 1975, p. 119.

5. Commemorative Coins of the United States; A Complete Encyclopedia, Q. David Bowers. Published by Bowers and Merena Galleries, Inc., Box 1224, Wolfeboro, NH 03894, 1991, p. 405-406.

 

Courtesy MACHINERY, Vol. 29, No. 1. The Industrial Press Publishers, New York, September 1922.

 

The [sic] expressed their appreciation of the many kindnesses you showed me and great help you were in solving some of my difficulties. On behalf of the Commission and myself I wish to certainly thank you for your kind attention to our York County commemorative Half Dollar. I enjoyed my visit in Washington very much and certainly hope that in the near future I may have the pleasure of coming to your wonderful city again.

 

According to our law approved by the President of the United States, we are allowed 30,000 silver fifty-cent pieces, and in section two of this law it states that not less than 25,000 such coins shall be issued at anyone [sic] time, therefore, in order for us to obtain the entire 30,000 we would be obliged to take them at one minting. I have taken this up with the Commission and they decided to take the 30,000 Commemorative half dollars and we will deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia $15,000 about August 1. Therefore, will you please issue instructions to the mint in Philadelphia to mint 30,000 York County Commemorative Half Dollars.

 

It would be very pleasant to have the first 100 coins struck put in individual envelopes and numbered. Mr. Sinnock advised me to write you to this effect that you might issue orders to the mint. I understand if this is done they will do this for us. At the same time that we deposit $15,000 with the Federal Reserve bank in Philadelphia we will also deposit $300 to pay for the expenses at the mint. If the above is not just according to your rules and regulations I would appreciate it very much if you inform me. Again thanking you for your kindness to me in this matter.

 

To the Director of the Mint Nellie Tayloe Ross from Senator Wallace White of Maine on March 15, 1937, regarding the designs of the York County, Maine Tercentenary Half Dollar.

 

Under the date of June 26, 1936, the President approved the Act to authorize the coinage of fifty cent pieces in commemoration of the 300th Anniversary of the Founding of the York County, Maine.

 

This legislation authorized thirty thousand silver fifty cent pieces of appropriate design to be determined by you. It provided that the coins should bear the date of 1936. Through some misunderstanding which I cannot explain the Committee for the Commemoration of the Founding of the County got the impression that only twenty-five thousand of the coins could be issued, and in all their advertising of the event and the coins issue it was stated that only twenty-five thousand of the coins were available. This supply has been exhausted or practically so. The Committee are very anxious to secure now the additional five thousand coins, but in view of the publicity given the previous issue and to the assurances given that but twenty-five thousand coins were available to Members feel than now to issue five thousand additional coins of the 1936 date would detract from the value as memorials of the coins outstanding and would not be keeping the faith with those who bought the coins at the price for which they were sold, namely, $1.50 each. It is, therefore, desired that the additional five thousand coins should bear the date of 1937 instead of 1936, but should in all other respects be similar to the original issue.

The desire of the Committee for the issuance of the additional five thousand coins is to secure the funds for the completion and publication of a history of the county and to provide for the of permanent memorials and markers of historical value; and to perfect a permanent organization which will carry on the historical studies and educational work suggested by the Anniversary.

 

I have been afraid that this would require additional Congressional authority to change the date of this coin. I should be very glad to find that I am in error, I shall appreciate it deeply if you will advise me as to whether the five thousand can be issued without further Congressional action, and if it cannot, whether the effort to secure this legislation would have your approval.”6

 

“GRANTS HOBBY SHOP

109 Empire Street

Providence, Rhode Island

June 9, 1936

 

Friend Nichols:

To you yesterday, 1st class registered mail, the set of rare Boone's; hope you receive them in good condition.

 

Be sure and phone me before coming, as I am out of town a good part of the time.

 

6. The Authoritative Reference on Commemorative Coins 1892-1954, by Kevin Flynn, published by Kyle Vick, 2008, p. 199, 340 & 341.

 

 

And still more to follow.

 

 

[johnny9434]

nice coin and nice write up. thats always a good thing

[RWB]

RE: "These were translated into models (apparently made of brass rather than the usual plaster or clay)"

 

Normal procedure was to make the models in plaster or hard clay or wax, then have a bronze or iron cast made from the model. The metal cast was able to withstand the stress of the reduction lathe - which plaster could not.

 

It was not until the late 1940s that electrotypes ("galvanos") came into more common use.

[leeg]

Thanks johnny9434 for your comments and Roger for clearing things up.

 

Walter P. Nichols was not only the Secretary and Treasurer for the York County coin he was also a coin dealer in the late 20s into the 30s.

 

I note that Bulletin No. 8 Revised to May 29, 1936 reads as follows:

 

H.B. 12677

 

S. 4608. (‘York County, Maine) S. 4608 reported favorably by Senate Committee on Banking and Currency May 21, 1936.’

 

I think we can work together on this to our mutual benefit.

 

Yours very truly,

Grant’s Hobby Shop

H.M. Grant

 

Although Horace M. Grant advertised in June 1936 that he had ‘recently purchased fifty sets of the Rhode Island half dollars,’ many collectors and dealers felt that he acquired them at the time of issue and simply held them for a price advance. As noted, this was the most controversial issue of the 1936 year.

 

CINCINNATI MUSICAL CENTER COMMEMORATIVE COIN ’N

312 United Bank Building

Cincinnati, Ohio

July 13, 1936

 

My dear Mr. Nichols:

 

This will acknowledge your courteous favor under date of July 9. The Cincinnati coin sets (Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver) were oversubscribed within one month after the President signed our bill on April 1. Your application of course comes in several months too late, but we are taking the liberty of assigning to you five order blanks which have been returned to us for one reason or another. Some of them were returned because the collector had died before the order blank reached him, while others were returned because the collector was temporarily out of funds!! In any event we will take care of you and your associates to the amount of five sets if you will return the order blank which we hand you herewith with a check in the amount of $38.75. we of course are listing these five sets in the names of the members of your committee as we have a ruling to the effect that only one set can be sent to each collector.

 

The coin will bear the bust of Stephen Foster on the obverse side. Foster, as you know, wrote “My Old Kentucky Home,” “Swanee River,” etc. On the reverse side will be a draped figure of a woman playing a harp symbolic of the spirit of music. The coin was designed by the well-known sculptress Miss Constance Ortmayer of Washington, D.C. The Philadelphia coins are on [sic] enroute to us and we expect the Denver and San Francisco coins in about a week or ten days. Please therefore return the enclosed order blank promptly and oblige.

 

Very sincerely yours,

Thomas G. Melish, President

 

P.S. I take pleasure in handling you herewith my subscription for York County half dollars. I will require 20 of these coins for the members of the Cincinnati Numismatic Association of which the writer is one of the Board of Governors. If you will have to limit this subscription to 10 cons please advise so that we can send a subscription in under the name of our treasurer or secretary. All the coins will be needed for separate collections, but we will want them all sent to the writer. Please acknowledge receipt of this order and check, in the enclosed stamp envelope.

 

CINCINNATI MUSICAL CENTER COMMEMORATIVE COIN ’N

312 United Bank Building

Cincinnati, Ohio

July 16, 1936

 

My dear Mr. Nichols:

 

This will acknowledge your courteous favor under date of July 13, enclosing four order blanks for four sets of Cincinnati coins at $7.50 each. The total amount due for these sets (at $7.75 each) is $31.00.

 

We have credited your account in the amount of $30.00 and will appreciate it if you will send us the small amount due ($1.00) either in stamps or postal money order so as to complete your order.

 

In your letter you allude to another order and a request to reply to your “letter from Saco.” We do not know what you mean by Saco. We understand that there is a York County Maine, coin known as the Saco coin. Possibly you are confusing our issue with some other issue.

 

Cordially yours,

Thomas G. Melish, President

 

P.S. The writer is also the distributor for the Cleveland Centennial coins. We enclose Cleveland order blank herewith.

 

CINCINNATI MUSICAL CENTER COMMEMORATIVE COIN ’N

312 United Bank Building

Cincinnati, Ohio

July 22, 1936

 

My dear Mr. Nichols:

 

Thank for your nice letter under date of July 19 enclosing check in the amount of $1.00 to cover small balance due. We appreciate your promptness in the matter.

 

Today we received a few more order blanks which were returned to us for one reason or another (sickness, death, absence from the city, or financial difficulties). We are sending you three of these order blanks as we feel quite sure you will have no difficulty in distributing them among some of the members of your committee, or friends who are interested. Please have them returned to us promptly, however, with check, if you wish to hold these reservations. All three sets can be sent to you if desired. The price as you know, is $7.75 per set.

 

We are glad to know that you are getting along so nicely with your York County Commemorative coins. We have already received the Philadelphia minted coins of the Cincinnati set, and expect the Denver and San Francisco coins with a week or ten days.

 

We have been advised by the Philadelphia Mint that the Cleveland coins were shipped to us Monday, so they ought to be in Cincinnati today, in which case we will start to distribute the Cleveland coins at once.

 

Please do not cut down our order for York County coins, as we will need all of them for our Cincinnati Numismatic Association.

 

With very best wishes for the success of your distribution, we beg to remain,

Cordially yours,

Thomas G. Melish

 

CINCINNATI MUSICAL CENTER COMMEMORATIVE COIN ’N

312 United Bank Building

Cincinnati, Ohio

July 31, 1936

 

My dear Mr. Nichols:

 

Thanks for your nice letter under date of July 24.

 

The order blanks were received together with check and the coins will be forwarded to Mr. Ralph Hawkes for distribution.

 

The Cincinnati sale was a complete landslide and tremendously over subscribed.

 

You may be interested in knowing that 25,000 Cleveland coins struck at the Philadelphia Mint (none were made at the other mints) reached us only a few days ago and already over 24,000 have been distributed. The other thousand will be distributed within the very near future. This sale was also a landslide.

 

I am under the impression that the York County coins which I ordered will be sufficient of our Cincinnati Numismatic Association. None of us speculate, but we are all ardent collectors.

 

Cordially yours,

Thomas G. Melish, President

 

BRIDGEPORT CENTENNIAL, INC.

Bridgeport, Connecticut

August 12, 1936

 

Dear Mr. Nichols:

 

Thank you for your order for five of our commemorative half dollars. I am forwarding your letter to Mr. Charles H. Hurliman, of the First National Bank and Trust Company for further attention.

 

We wish to congratulate the York County Tercentenary Commission in celebrating your 300th anniversary and wish you every success in the fulfillment of your plans.

 

We are celebrating our 100th anniversary as an incorporated city with a program of events from June 4 until October 3.

 

I am enclosing two copies of revised program as of June and August which I am sure will be of interest to you.

 

Very truly yours,

W.B. Aurandt

Managing Director

 

Issuers of commemorative half dollars often corresponded with each other, and the file of Walter P. Nichols’ letters contain many from his contemporaries. In the above letter the managing director of the Bridgeport Centennial writes to congratulate him on the success experienced by the York County Tercentenary Commission. The name of the game was “success,” and most circulars from issuing commissions, as well as private correspondence, were apt to state how well things were going, when the truth might have been different. For example, thousands of York commemorative half dollars remained unsold several years after the celebration ended.

 

DETROIT COIN CLUB

Office of the Secretary

Detroit, Michigan

August 14, 1936

 

Dear Mr. Nichols:

 

In reply to your letter of August 11th, in which you ask for an application for the proposed Michigan commemorative half dollar, please be advised the we do not have any order blanks ready at the present time. Our Bill HR12910 was not presented in time to pass at the last session of Congress and if we are successful in having same approved next year, you will be notified and given an opportunity to purchase the coins you desire.

 

Thank you for the order blank that you enclosed, but I have already ordered mine through the Detroit coin club order which you have already acknowledged. The Detroit coin Club wishes you and your Commission much success in your distribution of the York County half dollar.

 

Sincerely,

Kenneth A. Fulton, Secretary-Treasurer

251 Manor Ave.

Grosse Point Farms, Mich.

 

Ed Note: The Michigan commemorative half dollar never came to pass and is one of numerous issues lost in the Sargasso Sea of unrealized numismatic dreams.

 

CHARLES J. KNABENSCHUH

212 Grafton Avenue

San Francisco, Cal.

August 15, 1936

 

Dear Mr. Nichols:

 

Thanks for your kind letter. Was wondering if you are getting any York County half dollars which are numbered. If so I would like you to use your influence so I could get one. Will gladly pay you a good premium, or will make it up some way.

 

I could also use a more Yorks if you wish to exchange for pennies when available (or maybe quite a few Yorks).

 

Am writing this in a rush, so please excuse me. I am,

 

Sincerely,

Charles J. Knabenschuh

 

P.S. Please answer by air mail. Stamps enclosed. Thanks.

 

(Reproduction of postcard sent by New Rochelle Commemorative Coin Committee August 25, 1936)

 

We acknowledge receipt of yours of 24 inst, enclosing check for $10.25 in payment for 5 New Rochelle commemorative half dollars which will be forwarded to you when issued.

 

New Rochelle Commemorative Coin Committee

Pitt M. Skipton, Chairman

 

I would like to get 2 York Co. coins. What will they cost me? P.M.S.

 

GRANT’S HOBBY SHOP

109 Empire Street

Providence, R.I.

September 1, 1936

 

Dear Walter:

 

Thought that I should want 100 more of the York County, but will not place my order until I am sure that I am to dispose of them.

 

I am enclosing my check for $10.00, as per my agreement. If there is anything said regarding this set of half dollars, I did not make application in person, but Mr. Kilton, who is associated with me, sent the order in his name, and he has received the set. Melish wrote that the order had been cancelled, but that he was making an exception and filling it. I am sorry you turned in the other blanks, as I would have been delighted to have had then at $10.00 per.

 

I also wish to acknowledge receipt of the four sets of Cincinnati that you recently sent me.

 

Mr. Clarke was re-elected at the convention, and quite a shake-up occurred on the Board of Governors. I left Wednesday night after the banquet, so have not full details. I will give them to you as soon as I receive them. Had a very pleasant trip, but returned earlier than I anticipated, due to the extreme heat in St. Louis, and south.

 

Yours very truly,

Horace M. Grant

 

THE TEXAS BANKERS ASSOCIATION

Dallas, Texas

September 1, 1936

 

Dear Walter:

 

The ten (10) York County coins reached me in good shape, and I want to congratulate your for the splendid design. You have seen to it that the coins is not too crowded. Everything is legible and clear and you do not have to have a microscope to see it. So many of the commemoratives now a days are crowded and full.

 

The ANA meeting in Minneapolis was quite incomplete without you. Both Mr. Grinnell and I agreed to this. I spent a fine day with him in Detroit. We were together one day in Chicago, then, we spent much time together at the convention. We agreed we would not take “no” for an answer from you next year.

 

Sincerely,

W.A. Philpott, Jr., Secretary

 

CHARLES J. KNABENSCHUH

212 Grafton Avenue

San Francisco, Cal.

September 5, 1936

 

Dear Mr. Nichols:

 

Let me thank you for the beautiful specimens of York County half dollars which you set [sic] me.

 

Now to do you a favor I will supply you with Bridgeport coins at same price as commission. I will pick out perfect coins for you. Glad to do this for you. Expect to have these in about 2 weeks, maybe sooner.

 

Again thanks, I am,

 

Sincerely,

Charles J. Knabenschuh

 

CINCINNATI MUSICAL CENTER COMMEMORATIVE COIN ’N

312 United Building

Cincinnati, Ohio

October 1, 1936

 

My dear Mr. Nichols:

 

Thanks very much indeed for your nice letter of September 28, from which we note that the Cincinnati coins in insured parcel No. 2055 reached you in good shape. We were really quite worried about it as about 35 or 40 sets were lost in the mail.

 

Of course we will receive payment for these at the issue price, but that doesn't solve the problem, as everyone insists upon receiving the coins and not a rebate of their money. If we have to go out into the open market and pay $35.00 or more for Cincinnati sets we will go down to the suspension bridge and jump into the Ohio River, or something like that!!

 

I am so glad that you had a splendid sale of the York County coins. Mine arrived in good shape and have been placed in my various collections. All of the members of our local numismatic association, of which the writer is one of the Board of Governors, were pleased with their York County half dollars.

 

As you say, if anyone thinks it is an easy matter to distribute a commemorative coin they better try it on their piano. We had seven stenographers and three clerks in order to take care of our tremendous correspondence. Unfortunately all the Cincinnati sets have been distributed. There are none left. If we had even one st we would be glad to let you have it at the issue price. Sorry.

 

Cordially yours,

Thomas G. Melish

 

THE TEXAS BANKERS ASSOCIATION

Dallas, Texas

November 2, 1936

 

Dear Walter:

 

…Glad you are through with your commemorative coin business (York County half dollar sales-LG)….

 

Sincerely,

W.A. Philpott, Jr., Secretary

 

LITTLECOTE STAMP SHOPPE, INC.

249 Genesee Street

Utica, New York

November 13, 1936

 

Dear Mr. Nichols:

 

Have just been reading this month’s issue of the Numismatist and note with great interest an article regarding your experience in connection with the issue of the York County Tercentenary half dollars that you talked on at the Boston Society Meeting.

 

I have always wanted to know how a commemorative issue was accomplished and wonder if you can furnish me with a copy of your address including the whole issue from its inception. I will gladly pay you for this information if you have to have a copy made.

 

Awaiting your reply I am,

 

Very truly yours,

 

W. Earl Hamlin, Treasurer

 

(Article in “The Numismatist”–November 1936)

 

“BOSTON NUMISMATIC SOCIETY–Meeting of September 28….

 

“Mr. Nichols spoke on “How a Commemorative Half Dollar is Issued," relating in a highly instructive and interesting manner his experiences in connection with the issuing of the York County (Maine) Tercentenary commemorative half dollar, in which, as treasurer of the association having the matter in charge, he had a conspicuous part from its inception. He told of the origin of the idea, the problem of financing, placing it before Congress and its approval by that body and the President; of the artist’s fine work, the preparation of casts, and the routing required on the part of the Treasury department; of the final acceptance by the Fine Arts Commission and the quick action needed and taken to have the minting done in Philadelphia in order to have the coins ready for distribution within the short time allowed, and of the final and highly successful conclusion of the whole matter. He referred appreciatively of the fine spirit of cooperation everywhere shown, from Maine Participants to the officials in Washington and Philadelphia. He emphasized the point that the piece is distinctively a Maine product throughout, up to the point where the Federal authorities entered into the picture. At the conclusion of his talk Mr. Nichols was bombarded with questions, and was tendered a vote of thanks for his splendid exposition of the many intricacies involved in producing a commemorative half dollar.

 

“Exhibits were as follows:

 

… “Mr. Nichols: Drawings, casts, documents and sundry papers covering his talk, and a sample of the York County commemorative half dollar…..

 

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF MEADVILLE

898 Park Avenue

Meadville, Pa.

January 21, 1937

 

Dear Mr. Nichols:

 

I have been given the duty of securing information relative to the issuance of a commemorative coin for our Sesquicentennial in 1938 and will be glad to receive any information you may be able to give me on the following points relative to the York County Maine commemorative.

1. Number of coins sold.

2. Prices at which they were sold.

3. The method or methods used for distribution and sales.

Any help that you can give me will be very greatly appreciated.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

M.W. Williams, Managing Secretary

 

Ed. Note: The Meadville project turned out to be another skeleton along the boulevard of broken dreams. Despite information from Walter P. Nichols, the commemorative coin for the Meadville Sesquicentennial never came to pass.

 

Although the Chamber of Commerce of Meadville, Pennsylvania did research concerning commemorative coins, their idea was never to come to fruition. During 1936 and 1937 dozens of commemorative ideas died before they were born.

 

DAVID M. BULLOWA

10 West 86th Street

New York City

October 5, 1938

 

Dear Mr. Nichols:

 

Prior to submitting to the American Numismatic Society final figures for the York County half dollar, to be used in connection with my forthcoming publication on the “United States Commemorative Coinage,” I would appreciate it very much if you would advise me whether any of the York County issues were returned to the mint for remelting, and if so how many.

 

For your convenience I enclose herewith self-addressed envelope, and would appreciate being favored with a prompt reply.

 

I trust that you are soon contemplating a visit to these parts, and that we may then have the pleasure of entertaining you at the various numismatic clubs.

 

Awaiting your reply with interest, I beg to remain,

 

Yours most respectfully,

David M. Bullowa

 

Ed Note: David Bullowa’s book on United States commemorative coin [sic] was subsequently published by the American Numismatic Society and remained for many years the standard work on the technical aspect of these issues. David Bullowa was a prominent professional numismatist until his death in the early 1950s. His wife, Catherine Bullowa, continued his business in later years.

 

DAVID M. BULLOWA

10 West 86th Street

New York City

January 2, 1939

 

Dear Mr. Nichols:

 

I am glad to acknowledge your very kind letter of December 29th, setting me straight on a few points.

 

For two of three errors I am not responsible, although I must bear the brunt since the book only carries my name.

 

The galley [sic] proofs (of which I have a copy before me) bore the text, which I had taken from the 1936 Numismatist issues dealing with the York County issue:

 

“The designs for the half dollar were prepared by Walter H. Rich of Portland, Maine. These were then executed in models of brass by Pacetti Company of Boston…”

 

This reading was changed, because one of the editors at the ANA claimed his technical knowledge was such, that the phrase ‘executed in brass’ was apparently a mistake. I then produced The Numismatist from which it was taken, but not being in a position to question his ‘technical knowledge’ I yielded, and the ‘executed’ was changed to ‘cast.’

 

The Medallic Art Company of this city supplied me with a check-list of all the issues of the commemorative coinage in which they were interested. They had ‘MAC’ following the York County half dollar meaning that the Medallic Art Co., had reduced the dies. I am writing to them today and will advise you of their reply.

 

The opinions regarding the design which I have expressed are my own, and they are purely personal. Most collectors with whom I have discussed this issue, and whose aggregate opinion is expressed as my own, seem to think the inscriptions proportionately too large.

 

Should another edition be printed, these corrections will certainly be incorporated.

 

May I again express to you my appreciation of your letter, as I am most anxious to have all the facts correct.

 

Trusting that you have had a pleasant holiday, and looking forward to seeing you soon.

 

I beg to remain,

 

Yours most respectfully,

David M. Bullowa

 

DAVID M. BULLOWA

10 West 86th Street

New York City

January 14, 1939

 

Dear Mr. Nichols:

 

I have just received a letter from the Medallic Art Company of this city, which reads as follows:

 

“We have checked our files and find that we did not reduce the models for the York County coin. This was an error on the part of the girl who checked the lists. We regret that this error occurred but feel confident that the balance of the information was correct.”

 

I wish to thank you very much for having brought this point to my attention, and can assure you that if (and when) a 2nd edition of the monograph is contemplated, there will be incorporated in it, this change, and that referring to the ‘execution of the models in brass.”

 

Looking forward to seeing you soon I beg to remain,

 

Yours most respectfully,

David M. Bullowa”7

 

 

Cornelius Vermeule started collecting coins as a boy in 1930s England. He entered Harvard in 1943 but then joined the Army, was sent to the Pacific Theater in World War II, and stayed in Japan after the war as a language expert, rising to the rank of captain. He finally earned his Harvard degree in 1947 and a Ph.D. from the University of London in 1953. He then embarked on an impressive academic and curatorial career. He was twice director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, while serving as curator of classical art; was a lecturer in fine arts at Harvard University; and was professor of both fine arts and classics at Boston College for over 20 years. He authored and edited more than a dozen works on applied numismatics, archaeology, painting, sculpture, and other arts.

 

Cornelius Vermeule writes: “A number of commemorative coins have been criticized in these pages for the low level of their art, and few have deserved ashes and odium more than this half dollar, commemorating the York County, Maine, tercentenary in 1936. The York County seal on the obverse and the stockade on the reverse–Brown’s Garrison at Saco–are uninteresting to anyone outside the most parochial native antiquarian circles. The old device of the sun’s rays fills the background above the buildings, and the placing of the conventional mottoes in the inner borders easily wins the grand prize for lack of imagination. The awkward lettering around the outer part of the field on both sides dwarfs what passes for the design (fig. 212).

 

The total performance is pedestrian to an extreme. Rather than a design for a coin, it is more like a medallion on a bottle of vintage brandy. The artist was Walter H. Rich.”8

 

 

7. An Inside View of the Coin Hobby in the 1930s: The Walter P. Nichols File, Edited by Q. David Bowers, Bowers and Merena Galleries, Inc., Copyright 1984 by Bowers and Merena Galleries, Inc., p. 74, 79, 80-82, 85, 86-87, 91-93, 97, 101, 103, 105-106, 122, 125.

 

8. Numismatic Art In America; Aesthetics of the United States Coinage, 2nd edition, Cornelius Vermeule, Whitman Publishing, LLC, 2007, p. 182.

 

 

[leeg]

Original envelope, information card, tab-style holder and coins of issue all courtesy of an avid collector of the classic commemorative series who requests to remain anonymous; Photographer: BluCC Photo’s.

 

 

Information card, tab-style holder and coins of issue all courtesy of an avid collector of the classic commemorative series who requests to remain anonymous; Photographer: BluCC Photo’s.

 

 

Front cover from an original brochure celebrating the 1936 York County, Maine, Tercentenary. An item in my numismatic library.

 

 

Walter H. Rich Portland High School class of 1885 photograph. Courtesy Collections of Maine Historical Society.

 

Walter H. Rich BIO: Walter H. Rich graduated from Portland High School in 1885. As an adult, he worked with the Fisheries Service for 23 years and became the curator of the Portland Society of Natural History's Museum. He became a renowned artist, painting marine and bird life in watercolors and oils. Rich died in 1948.

 

 

The obverse shows Brown’s Garrison, one of the first stockades in existence, situated on the Saco River, in Saco, Maine, and was located on the site of the present York National Bank building. In a book published by Mr. Frank C. Deering, president of the York National Bank, in 1931, on the anniversary of one hundred years of that bank, entitled ‘The Proprietors of Saco,’ Mr. Deering uses an old wood cut of this garrison, from which was taken the design.

 

 

I hope you all enjoyed the journey.

 

The End.

 

 

[messydesk]

Nice read! Thanks for posting.

 

I agree that it's artistically inferior to most, if not all, of the classic commems. Heck, there are even some modern commems with better designs.

[RWB]

This historical-artifact-research based approach to commemoratives is much better and more interesting than the usual stuff! Lee's presentation allows collectors to get behind the dry technical numbers and discover how and why these coins were created. Really is something that Whitman should be publishing.

[leeg]

This historical-artifact-research based approach to commemoratives is much better and more interesting than the usual stuff! Lee's presentation allows collectors to get behind the dry technical numbers and discover how and why these coins were created. Really is something that Whitman should be publishing.

 

Thanks again Roger.

 

Dennis Tucker at Whitman and I traded some emails back and forth in mid 2008, and early 2009, they were not interested at that time.