1934-38 Texas Independence Centennial Half Dollars 0

[leeg]

So we begin:

304,000 coined, 154,522 melted leaving 149,478 sold. Designed and modeled by Pompeo Coppini. The 1934-37 coins were distributed by the American Legion Texas Centennial Committee, A. Garland Adair, Chairman. The 1938 issue was distributed by  the Texas Memorial Museum Centennial Coin Campaign, Buford H. Jester, chairman. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions; the Louis Bassano Collection.

Authorized by Congress on June 15, 1933 and issued in commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary in 1936 of the Independence of Texas, and of the noble and heroic sacrifices of her pioneers, whose revered memory has been an inspiration to her sons and daughters during the past century.

Design:

Obverse: A large eagle superimposed on a large five-pointed star, below 1934; to the lower left E. PLURIBUS UNUM; upper right, IN GOD WE TRUST; around border, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HALF DOLLAR. 

Reverse: Seated female figure with drapery and outstretched wings, her left arm thrown protectingly over a miniature representation of the Alamo. Above her head, on a scroll ”Liberty” and the flags of France, Spain and Mexico; at left, medallion portrait of Sam Houston; at right, medallion portrait of Stephen F. Austin; lower right field, 1836-1936; around top border, THE TEXAS INDEPENDENCE CENTENNIAL, bottom REMEMBER THE ALAMO. Coppini signature near the L in CENTENNIAL. 

    “Among the unsuccessful coinage bills for 1929 were three to celebrate, respectively, the 125th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Exposition, ²⁹ the tercentenary of the founding of Massachusetts Bay Colony, and the 250th anniversary of the founding of Trenton. The following year, bills authorizing ‘discovery of anesthesia’ dollar-and-a-half gold pieces, and Washington bicentennial three-dollar pieces also failed. Then, in April 1930, when Congress finally passed a bill to authorize half dollars commemorating the Gadsden Purchase,³⁰ it was immediately vetoed by President Hoover.

    Acting on the recommendation of Secretary of the Treasury Mellon, Hoover stated the traditional objections to commemorative coins, namely, the threat of counterfeits, expense to the Government, and burden upon the Mint. The bill was debated by the House on April 22, when the veto was sustained 244 to 99.

     It was not until June 15, 1933, after the succession of both Hoover and Mellon, that a new commemorative coin was authorized, this being the Texas Centennial half dollar. Preparations for the issue crystallized the following year, when Pompeo Coppini was chosen designer. By May 1934, a pair of unusually crude models had been approved by the American Legion Texas Centennial Committee, whereupon the work was personally delivered by Coppini and Congressman W. O. McFarlane to the Commission of Fine Arts. . .”¹

 

    “Just when will the Texas centennial half dollars authorized by the Connally-Patman bill be available and what will appear on the coins are questions that are being received daily at the American Legion headquarters in Austin.

    A. Garland Adair, chairman of the committee, said that the entire committee of 21 Legionnaires, representing all of the congressional districts of Texas, will be called to meet within the next few days and after that session these questions may be answered definitely.

    ‘Suggestions have been pouring in,’ he adds. ‘There seems to be an almost universal demand that the Alamo be on one side of the coins. Other suggestions are for the pictures of Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston, the map of Dallas, the first capitol building, the Lone Star, the memorial museum, San Jacinto battlefield scenes, etc.’

    The question of a slogan or motto for Texas has also been asked. Texas is one of only a very few states that does not have a motto. The slogan of the American Legion Texas centennial committee so far, Adair says is ‘Do it today for Texas.’ An unofficial but most frequently used motto for this state is “Texas one and indivisible.”²

29. Had this bill passed, it would have provided the second Lewis and Clark commemorative coin.

30. A purchase of some land by the U. S. from Mexico to provide a practical southern railroad route to the pacific.

¹ Don Taxay, An Illustrated History of U.S Commemorative Coinage; Arco Publishing Company, Inc., New York, 1967, p. 132-133.

² The San Antonio Light, Many Asking About Coins.  July 24, 1933.

Dallas Exposition Centennial Aerial View. Courtesy of Texas Centennial in 1936, it’s your State, it’s your Celebration by Wallace Owen Chariton.

 

[VKurtB]

Is that the original Cotton Bowl stadium in the background?

[Crawtomatic]

On 11/18/2022 at 11:47 AM, VKurtB said:

Is that the original Cotton Bowl stadium in the background?

Yes.  Most of what you see there still exists and is in use.  The State Fair of Texas is there every year.  Along with a few smaller museums and such open year round.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Park

[VKurtB]

On 11/18/2022 at 8:31 PM, Crawtomatic said:

Yes.  Most of what you see there still exists and is in use.  The State Fair of Texas is there every year.  Along with a few smaller museums and such open year round.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_Park

And the Texas Oklahoma football game every year. 

[leeg]

On 11/18/2022 at 12:47 PM, VKurtB said:

Is that the original Cotton Bowl stadium in the background?

Crawtomatic beat me to your answer.  I'm usually only on the computer in the AM Eastern time

[leeg]

I continue:

“To the Under Secretary of the Treasury L. W. Robert (Sic) from the Chairman of the Commission of Fine Arts Charles Moore on May 24, 1934, regarding problem with the Texas Independence Centennial Half Dollar. 

    Can you do anything to stop the deluge of 50-cent pieces for all sorts of commemorative purposes? We have now before the Commission a Texas Half Dollar. The design shows the whole history of Texas and all its leading personages in a perfect hodgepodge. The heads are so small that they will disappear on a 50-cent piece and yet it is just this conglomeration on which the Texas people are relying to sell 25 cents worth of silver done into a 50-cent piece at the price of a dollar in order to make money to build some building.

It seems to me very undignified for the United States Government to lend itself to such schemes.

    I told the representative that if he succeeded in making money out of this 50-cent piece he will do more than any of the other people have done with theirs. This coinage may use up a certain amount of silver but otherwise I see no advantage therein. (Is this the beginning of the end of the early Commemorative series? Not the first time Mr. Moore has asked for help to do away with them-LG).”³

³ The Authoritative Reference on Commemorative Coins 1892 –1954, Kevin Flynn, published by Kyle Vick, 2008, p. 331.

Courtesy of the U. S. Commission of Fine Arts 

Minutes of Meeting held in Washington, D.C., May 28, 1934.

The following members were present:

Mr. Moore, Chairman,

Mr. Swartwout,

Mr. Clarke,

Mr. Howells,

Mr. Lawrie,

Mr. Savage,

Mr. Coolidge 

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

Texas Independence Coin: Mr. Moore brought to the attention of the Commission sketch models submitted by Mr. Pompeo Coppini for the Texas Independence Centennial half-dollar. Mr. Moore said Mr. Coppini left these here a few days ago when he called in company with Congressman W. D. MacFarlane. Mr. MacFarlane said the State Centennial Committee had approved the designs and they desired the advice of the Commission of Fine Arts in the matter. He also said that they had brought them to the attention of the Assistant Director of the Mint and that the sketches were regarded satisfactory by that office.

    The models showed on the obverse an eagle superimposed on a large star, the star signifying the ‘Lone Star State.’ On the reverse there was a figure of Liberty and in the background there were six flags and the heads of Houston and Austin, who figured in Texas history. Also there was an indication of the Alamo. The six flags represented the six Governments under which Texas existed, namely, Spain, France, Mexico, Independent, Confederate, and the United States. The celebration is to take place in 1936.

    The act of Congress which was approved June 15, 1933, provides for coining one and one-half million 50-cent pieces. Mr. MacFarlane said it is proposed to sell these at one dollar each and use the surplus for a memorial building.

    The models were brought to the particular attention of Mr. Lawrie, who gave the models very careful attention and submitted a statement as follows:

    Obverse: Suggest that the lettering be in relief instead of being incused; that the eagle be designed to have dignity and spirit and that the laurel branch have fewer and larger leaves.

    Reverse: By far too complicated. Suggest that all the lettering except ‘Remember the Alamo’ and the riband be in relief; that the star be omitted and the elements be limited to a representation of the Alamo building and the overlapping profiles of the two portraits with surrounding circle of lettering of ‘Texas Independence Centennial, etc.’

   The Commission concurred in the criticisms of Mr. Lawrie and informed Mr. Coppini accordingly as also Representative MacFarlane. (Exhibits B, B-1, and B-2) 

Exhibit B

May 29, 1934.

Dear Mr. Coppini:

    The Commission of Fine Arts at their meeting on May 28, 1934, considered your models for the Texas Independence Centennial 50-cent piece. The models were brought to the particular attention of Mr. Lee Lawrie, sculptor member of the Commission. Mr. Lawrie in general advises that the models for both sides are too fussy in design and should be very much simpler. He makes the following criticisms:

    Obverse: Suggest that the lettering be in relief instead of being incised; that the eagle be designed to have dignity and spirit and that the laurel branch have fewer and larger leaves.

    Reverse: By far too complicated. Suggest that all the lettering except ‘Remember the Alamo’ and the riband be in relief; that the star be omitted and the elements be limited to a representation of the Alamo building and the overlapping profiles of the two portraits with surrounding circle of lettering of Texas Independence Centennial, etc.’

    The Commission approve the criticisms of Mr. Lawrie and it is suggested that you revise your models accordingly. Thereupon they could be brought to the attention of Mr. Lawrie, whose address is 149 East 119th Street, New York City.

    The models are being returned to you under separate cover.

    For the Commission of Fine Arts:

Very respectfully yours, 

(Signed) Charles Moore,

Chairman.

Mr. Pompeo Luigi Coppini,

210 West 14th Street,

New York, N. Y.

 Exhibit B-1

 May 29, 1934.

Dear Mr. McFarlane:

    Enclosed is a copy of the report sent to Mr. Coppini regarding the models for the Texas Independence Centennial 50-cent piece, which was considered by the Commission of Fine Arts at their meeting yesterday. The models have been returned to Mr. Coppini for further attention. It is about as difficult to produce a good model for a coin as it is for a piece of sculpture.

Sincerely yours,

(Signed) Charles Moore, 

Chairman.

 Hon. W. D. McFarlane,

House of Representatives,

Washington, D. C.

 Exhibit B-2

 STUDIO OF

Sculptor Pompeo Coppini

210 West 14th Street

New York City

Telephone CHelsea 3-5544

 May 31, 1934

 

Hon. Charles Moore

Chairman of The Commission of Fine Arts

Navy Department building

Washington – D.C. 

Dear Mr. Moore:

    Your letter of the 29th at hand. I am sorry you did not give me the time to explain my conception of the models and the opportunity I have been wishing for to show you my works, as I believe you could have relieved Mr. Lawrie of many of his misapprehensions in regard to the ultimate finishing of the coin by- telling him that those were nothing more than sketches primarily intended for the Texas Committee and presented to your commission after they accepted them on the strength of my conception.

    I told your Secretary before you came in that they were sketches and that the lettering was to be all in relief.

    However, I will get in touch with Mr. Lawrie and cooperate with him to reach a final agreement to the satisfaction of your Fine Arts Commission and the Texas Committee.

 Very respectfully yours, 

(Signed) Pompeo Coppini

 

Original and reverse model by Pompeo Coppini that were rejected by the CFA. Courtesy of the Commission of Fine Arts.

 

Models adopted of obverse and reverse by Pompeo Coppini. Courtesy of the Commission of Fine Arts.

[leeg]

As we continue:

“To Congressman W.O. McFarlane from the sculptor member of the Commission of Fine Arts Lee Lawrie on June 5th, 1934, regarding the designs of the Texas Independence Centennial Half Dollar.

    I received your telegram asking that I urge the Commission of Fine Arts to approve Mr. Coppini’s design for the Texas Independence Centennial Half Dollar. The Commission considered the sketches at its meeting on May 28 and made recommendations that it believed would help affect the design without affecting the ideas of it. Mr. Coppini’s studio yesterday morning he and I discussed a possible rearrangement of the design that I think he is agreeable to using, and I believe that with his great ability we may expect that the more developed models that he submits will have the Commission of Arts’ approval.”⁴

⁴ The Authoritative Reference on Commemorative Coins 1892 –1954, Kevin Flynn, published by Kyle Vick, 2008, p. 331-332.

Minutes of Meeting held in New York City, June 2, 1934.

The following members were present:

Mr. Moore, Chairman,

Mr. Swartwout,

Mr. Lawrie,

Mr. Savage,

Mr. Coolidge

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

Texas Independence Centennial Coin: The secretary reported that Hon. W. D. MacFarlane, House of Representatives, had protested against action taken by the Commission of Fine Arts at the meeting on May 28, to change the design of the coin; Mr. MacFarlane stated that the committee favored the sketches made by Mr. Coppini and they desired that this design be carried out since it presents subjects of great historical interest to the state.

    The question was brought to the attention of Mr. Lawrie, who said that Mr. Coppini had talked with him over the telephone about the subject and that he would come to his studio next Monday to consider the models with him. Mr. Lawrie felt that the flags and portraits could be retained if they were absolutely wanted on the coin. (Exhibit B)

 

Exhibit B

149 East 119th Street

New York.

 June 5, 1934. 

Dear Mr. Moore,

    I am enclosing a copy of a telegram from the Hon. W. D. McFarlane and a copy of my letter in reply.

    Coppini and I spent some time over the design at his studio yesterday morning. He is very able on portrait statues, but is inclined to be elaborate in his compositions.

    Savage and I thought that the winged figure of Liberty be eliminated for the sake of simplicity. When I explained this to Coppini, he said that the committee and its posture and the position of its wings could be changed so as to give an outline that would work better with the portraits and flags, which also would have to be somewhat differently disposed. I believe that Coppini understood and agreed that it would be to the advantage of the design to make the changes suggested, and I think that even though the figure of Liberty is kept, there will be a gain in unity and simplicity. On the United States side, he will make the head of the eagle erect and give it dignity.

    I am to see more developed models embodying these changes as the work progresses, and when the designs are in shape he will submit them to the Commission of Fine Arts.

Sincerely yours, 

(Signed) Lee Lawrie 

Mr. Charles Moore, Chairman.

Fannie B. Shaw (1894-1991) 1936 Texas Centennial carving, 1935-1936 Ink and oil paint on carved wood 54.5in. x 51.5in. Signed and dated lower right Signed and dated verso. This wonderful carving of the state of Texas was created for and exhibited at the 1936 Texas Centennial. Courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

 

[leeg]

We Continue:

Courtesy of a brochure in my Numismatic Library.

On the same day, Lawrie wrote to McFarlane:

    Dear Sir: I received your telegram asking that I urge the Commission of Fine Arts to approve Mr. Coppini’s design for the Texas Independence Centennial Half Dollar. The Commission considered the sketches at its meeting on May 28 and made recommendations that it believed would help perfect the design without affecting the ideas in it. At Mr. Coppini’s studio yesterday morning he and I discussed a possible rearrangement of the design that I think he is agreeable to using, and I believe that with his great ability we may expect that the more developed models that he submits will have the Commission of Fine Arts’ approval. Yours very truly.

    At their meeting on June 19, the Commission authorized Lawrie and fellow member Eugene Savage to pass on Coppini’s revised models. The following day, Lawrie wrote to secretary Caemmerer:

    Dear Mr. Caemmerer: Mr. Savage and I approved Mr. Coppini’s models for the Texas Independence Centennial half-dollar. We requested some minor changes in the figure of Liberty, and in the claws and a wing of the eagle. 

    “Texans next April 21, San Jacinto day, will put into their pockets silver half-dollars of a design never before seen in the history of America.

    These half-dollars will bear a picture of the Alamo, Texas shrine of liberty.

    Other Texas historical emblems will appear on the Centennial half-dollars, coined under a law sponsored by U.S. Sen. Tom Connally and Cong. Wright Pitman, in cooperation with the American Legion State Centennial Committee of which A. Garland Adair is chairman.

    The coins will be ready and distribution will start on San Jacinto Day, 98th anniversary of the battle that made Texas independence sure. 

Coined At	Coins Minted	Coins Sold	Returned to Mint
1934 Philadelphia	205,113	61,350	143,650
1935 Philadelphia	10,008	9,988	12
1935 Denver	10,008	10,000	None
1935 San Francisco	10,008	10,000	None
1936 Philadelphia	10,007	8,903	1,097
1936 Denver	10,008	9,032	968
1936 San Francisco	10,008	9,057	943
1937 Philadelphia	8,006	6,566	1,434
1937 Denver	8,005	6,599	1,401
1937 San Francisco	8,007	6,630	1,370
1938 Philadelphia	5,005	3,775	1,225
1938 Denver	5,005	3,770	1,230
1938 San Francisco	5,006	3,808	1,192
Totals	304,194	149,479	154,522

 The Texas half dollars went off sale on November 1, 1938.  Mintage figures shown here were prepared by the Texas Memorial Museum Centennial Coin Campaign Committee.⁴ The odd numbers minted were reserved for assay purposes. 

    One and a half million of these coins were minted, under authority for their distribution at $1 each, the entire $750,000 net proceeds to be used in the of a Texas museum on grounds donated by University of Texas regents, this museum to serve as a sort of cornerstone for the Texas Centennial of 1936.