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1926 Declaration of Independence/Sesquicentennial Coins
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16 posts in this topic

17 hours ago, leeg said:

Just a bit of history:

Ira and Larry Goldberg.png

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.

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More to follow.

A very fine compact chronology with all the substantive facts.  It gives me hope that the Federal Government will likewise honor the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Indepence in 2026 with a special mintage of coins, quoting Biblical figures, in time for the sestercentennial.

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A glimpse of the Federal bureaucracy, during the Roaring Twenties, in all its high-velocity, wondrous splendor!   :whatev:

 

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Thanks all so far for the comments.  :grin:

John Fredrick Lewis Sketches, Combo.png

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.

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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.

Edited by leeg
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Lee G has the most complete and informative classic commemorative coin information ever assembled. The so-called "standard guides" are little more than rough summaries by comparison.

Where's the publisher who will bring this work to all collectors? (I don't have the funds....otherwise I would.)

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    At the insistence of the National Sesquicentennial Exhibition Association both coin designs were executed in very shallow relief with the result that the pieces struck up poorly. Q. David Bowers, Encyclopedia. LG5

5 Q. David Bowers, Encyclopedia.

Courtesy of the U. S. Commission of Fine Arts 

Minutes of Meeting held in Washington, D. C. September 3, 1925.

 

The following members were present:

Mr. Moore, Chairman,

Mr. Greenleaf,

Mr. Ayres,

Mr. Mowbray,

Combo Sketch 2.png

Sketch by John Sinnock for Sesquicentennial of American Independence quarter eagle. Taxay’s Commemorative Coinage (he pulled from the National Archives),  113.

Mr. Medary,

Mr. Delano,

Mr. Taft,

 

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

Sesquicentennial Coins: Mr. Medary stated that Mr. McAleer, secretary of the Exposition Commission, had informed him that the new designer at the Philadelphia Mint is at work on the designs, which have not yet proved satisfactory; and that further effort will be made at the coming session of Congress to secure authority for minting a $1.50 souvenir coin; that it had been their desire to have 13 different souvenir coins made.

Mr. Medary said he advised Mr. McAleer that it was the desire of the Commission of Fine Arts to have the designs submitted before they are prepared fully.

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Models by John Sinnock for Sesquicentennial of American Independence quarter eagle. Taxay’s Commemorative Coinage (he pulled from the National Archives),  p. 114.

    It was suggested that a letter be written to the Director of the Mint asking him as to the average number sold of the souvenir coins that had recently been made, as the Stone Mountain, the Norse-American, the Huguenot-Walloon, the Vancouver, and the California Diamond Jubilee coins. The Commission felt that souvenir coins are beneath the dignity of the United States, and that this is a matter which also should be taken up with the Committee on Coinage, Weights and Measures of the House. The Commission felt that souvenir coins should be more strictly limited to events of great national historical interest.

Edited by leeg
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Minutes of Meeting held in Washington, D. C., March 25, 1926.

 The following members were present:

Mr. Moore, Chairman,

Mr. Greenleaf,

Mr. Mowbray,

Mr. Medary,

Mr. Delano,

Mr. Taft,

Mr. Garfield 

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

Sesquicentennial $2.50 Gold Piece: By letter dated February 27, 1926, the Director of the Mint submitted sketches for the Sesquicentennial $2.50 gold piece authorized by Congress. They were referred to Mr. Taft, who regarded the composition acceptable, but felt certain changes could be made in the interests of the design. The obverse represented a figure of Liberty holding a torch and the reverse Independence Hall.

    Attention was called to the difficulty of showing a building on a coin which is smaller than a ten cent piece, and Mr. Garfield suggested using possibly only the cupola or the center portion of the building; but it was thought that any such change in the design would interfere with the composition.

Mr. Medary said that the sun and its rays should be omitted from the back of the building, as this would indicate that the sun rises on the north side of the building, which is contrary to fact.

    The Commission indicated desired changes on the sketches and submitted a report to the Director of the Mint. (Exhibit A). 

Exhibit A:

March 26, 1926.

Sir:

    The Commission of Fine Arts, at their meeting on March 25, 1926, approved the 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 in the sketch, also the ‘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.

    For the Commission: 

Very respectfully yours, 

Charles Moore,

Chairman,

 Hon. R. J. Grant,

Director of the Mint,

Washington, D.C. 

Sesquicentennial Half Dollar: The director of the Mint submitted models for the Sesquicentennial half dollar, showing on the obverse the portraits of Presidents Washington and Coolidge and on the reverse the Liberty Bell. The models were approved. (Exhibit B). 

Exhibit B: 

March 26, 1926.

Sir:

    The Commission of Fine Arts, at their meeting on March 25, 1926, approved the models for the Sesquicentennial half dollar.

    The models are herewith returned to you.

    For the Commission:

 Very respectfully yours, 

Charles Moore,

Chairman, 

Hon. R. J. Grant,

Director of the Mint,

Washington, D.C. 

Minutes of Meeting held in Washington, D. C., April 29, 1926. 

The following members were present:

Mr. Moore, Chairman,

Mr. Greenleaf,

Mr. Mowbray,

Mr. Medary,

Mr. Delano,

Mr. Garfield

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

Sesquicentennial $2.50 Gold Piece: The Director of the Mint submitted models for the obverse and reverse of the Sesquicentennial $2.50 gold piece, made according to the designs passed upon at the meeting of the Commission on March 25th. The models were approved. Mr. Garfield suggested a slight change in the lettering so as not to interfere with the figure on the obverse. The Commission advised that the rosettes on the models be removed. (Exhibit A). 

Exhibit A:

April 30, 1926.

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 recommends 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 obverse and reverse should be removed.

    The Models are herewith returned.

    For the Commission: 

Very respectfully, yours, 

Charles Moore,

Chairman,

 Hon. R. J. Grant,

Director of the Mint,

Treasury Department,

Washington, D.C.

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Centennial (1876)

Sesquicentennial  (1926)

Demi-semi-sept-centennial    (1951)

Bicentennial  (1976)

Sestercentennial   (2026)

@leeg with your permission, and God willing, I should like to display the exhibits of the lattermost anniversary on the Forum unless they are unavailable anachronistic devices due to the use of computers 🖥 and cellphones.

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It's information like this, that makes the numismatic chat boards worth it.  A big shout out to @leeg , @RWB ,  @DWLange and others who do the research, wade through the sources like the National Archives and NNP, and but it all together for so the rest of us can benefit.  

Whenever I think I know a lot about numismatics, threads like this come along to remind me of how much I don't know about the history and background.

Thanks

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To the Director of the Mint Robert Grant from the Chairman of the Pennsylvania Academy Committee of Fine Arts John Lewis on May 5, 1926, regarding the Sesquicentennial of Independence Commemorative coins. 

    Following out [sic] telephone conversation of this morning, I respectfully request that the first Sesqui Centennial coins struck off from one up to twenty be preserved in order in envelopes as I have no doubt that the Hon. W. Freeland Kendrick, Mayor of Philadelphia, will desire to use these first issues for official presentation.

    With reference to the half dollar, I presume he will desire the first coin struck off should go to the President of the United States.

    I like your unofficial suggestion that when the actual coinage begins that the Mayor should be present at the Mint, when you are there, and an appropriate photograph could be taken at the time.

    With reference to both the half dollars and $2.50 gold pieces, I understand that it is customary to put some mark, almost microscopic, on the first 1,000 coins struck off, and I write to request that if doing this is possible, a microscopic ‘K,’ which will stand for the Kendrick administration, be put in an inconspicuous place on both coins. This will be preactically [sic] the only mark identifying the issue with Philadelphia. I understand that with reference to the delivery of the coins and the payment therefore, arrangement will be or has been made with the Federal Reserve Bank, which will then distribute the coins to the different banks of the City as needed.

    It is the wish of the Management of the Sesqui-Centennial Exhibition Association to put the coins on sale as promptly as possible. At the end of May and the first day or second of June, there will be probably be 200,000 Shiners in Philadelphia holding a National Convention and if it be possible to have both coins for sale at that time such a market would not be missed.

    I particularly thank you for your assurance that you will do everything possible to speed the completion of the dies and the actual coinage of money.5 

5 The Authoritative Reference on Commemorative Coins 1892-1954, by Kevin Flynn, published by Kyle Vick, 2008, p. 325-326.

    The first Sesqui-Centennial commemorative half dollar was struck at the Philadelphia mint at noon May 19 by Mayor Kendrick. The coin was given to him, and he will present it to President Coolidge when the latter visits the Sesqui-Centennial exposition. The remainders of the first thousand coins were turned over to the mayor for distribution. Fifty thousand were struck the following day, and 400,000 in all are expected to be coined.6

 6 The Numismatist, First Sesqui Half Dollars Struck, May 19th, p. 285.

    The Sesqui-Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia closed its gates on November 30 last. Exposition officials announced that a profit of about $125,000 had been realized on the sale of the commemorative coins. . .

    The first coin was struck by Mayor Kendrick on May 28, 1926, and the second was minted by E.J Lafferty, City Purchasing agent and vice-president of the Sesqui-Centennial. Immediately after the entire supply of coins had been minted they were distributed through the Federal Reserve Bank. Booths were erected in various sections of the Exposition grounds for the distribution of the commemorative pieces.7

7 The Numismatist, Sesqui Coins net the Exposition About $125,000. January, 1927, p. 36.

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On 6/1/2021 at 9:18 AM, Oldhoopster said:

It's information like this, that makes the numismatic chat boards worth it.  A big shout out to @leeg , @RWB ,  @DWLange and others who do the research, wade through the sources like the National Archives and NNP, and but it all together for so the rest of us can benefit.  

Whenever I think I know a lot about numismatics, threads like this come along to remind me of how much I don't know about the history and background.

Thanks

 

Much thanks!

I spend my time on research for the sake of all collectors. Been working on this project (early commemoratives) off and on for about ten years now.

 

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Coolidge-Collection-Combo.jpg

1926 Declaration of Independence Sesquicentennial Half Dollar. Courtesy of the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site, P.O. Box 247, Plymouth, Vermont 05056.

    Cornelius Vermeule writes: The fact that this coin, the silver half dollar commemorating the sesquicentennial of American independence in 1926, is in such low relief was the response of officialdom—not the innocent designer—to the experiments of Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Henry Hering. The edge is relatively high and the flan curves up to meet it, but there are scarcely any surfaces on the compressed busts of Washington and the austere Calvin Coolidge beyond him (fig. 184). Although it is fashionable to cite this as the first time a living president appeared on U.S. coinage, the point is unimportant, for likenesses of current presidents had graced official medals from the Mint for many years. John R. Sinnock, who became first engraver at the Mint in 1925—the year in which Morgan died and the coin commemorating the sesquicentennial was authorized—had enjoyed nearly a decade of producing such government medals under Morgan.

    The stepped rim on the outer part of the reverse breaks the potential monotony of delicate lettering. The bell and its inscriptions are jewels of precision. Rosettes on either side of LIBERTY on the obverse are an unnecessary reminder that monumental bronze relief often guides a coin design, for they are similar to ornaments on the corners of countless war memorials and other commemorations involving lists of names or epigraphy of sorts.

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1926 Sesquicentennial quarter eagle. Jewelry piece. AU. This commemorative gold coin is housed in a 10K bezel and is the host to a gold enameled symbol of the Knights of Pythias. An unusual item which is bound to receive an interesting reception from potential bidders. Courtesy The John A. Van Arsdall, M.D. and the Antelope Valley Silver Dollar Collections. Bowers and Merena, Inc. Lot 1645 ($132.00 price realized), January 7 & 8, 1993, p. 228.

It had been a coin in the regular series, the precise, extremely sensitive work could not have taken the punishment of constant size, but as a commemorative piece that would not circulate it is arresting as a total concept in its difference from the 50-odd other such half dollars that would comprise the ‘classic’ series.

    The gold quarter eagle for the sesquicentennial of 1926, also by Sinnock, reverts in part to the allegorical iconography of the 19th century. Liberty stands on a globe and holds both the torch of freedom and a scroll, presumably the Declaration of Independence (fig. 185). The view of Independence Hall falls into the category of straightforward illustrations of buildings on American coins, Monticello in 1938 and the Lincoln Memorial in 1959 being the common examples. Liberty is statuesque and pseudo-Attic, in that classical drapery reveals human form in the manner of the Venus Genetrix on coins of Hadrian or its monumental source in the sculpture of Athens during the Peloponnesian Wars. The upper part of the garment has been made into a Doric chiton with loose, zigzag overfold, a type of Greek transitional or pre-Parthenon classicism. This style would also preoccupy the Mint’s new chief engraver in the reverses of his presidential medals for Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover. Despite these Grecian details, Liberty’s total impression is thoroughly dated; she looks like a flapper of the 1920s. Her cloth cap accentuates this resemblance, and her position as she steps forward, head in profile, recalls the obverse of Hermon MacNeil’s quarter dollar of 1916 to 1931.

    Considering the size of the coin, John Sinnock has produced a good design that has the lettering of Weinman’s 1916 dime and the obverse monumentality of the same sculptor’s half dollar (figs. 159 and 160). The torch of freedom and scroll together are perhaps too bookishly symbolic and too little like Liberty. One of the traditional attributes of the 1870’s, the shield or an eagle beside Liberty, would have been no less symbolic and much less abstract.

It was not until 1946 that the ‘torch of freedom’ found its true home in Sinnock’s repertory, when it was used on the reverse of the Roosevelt dime (fig. 230).14 8

14. The sketches for the sesquicentennial of American Independence half dollar attributed to John Frederick Lewis in Taxay’s Commemorative Coinage, 111-117, are obviously from the hand of John Sinnock; the credit for the coin, therefore, must remain his.  (Taxay got information from the National Archives.  LG)

8 Numismatic Art in America; Aesthetics of the United States Coinage, 2nd edition, Cornelius Vermeule, Whitman Publishing, LLC, 2007, p. 160-161.

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