The Official Early Classic Commemorative (1892-1954) Thread 0

[leeg]

Hey all,

  I don't feel this series gets the accolades each coin should. They all have their own story to tell, for good or bad. Please let me know if I'm wrong.

  I would hope that forum members post their coins and tell a little story about why they purchased the coin, i.e., album, registry set (50 piece-140 piece), anything you may want to ask about the coin, so on and so on.

  I will start posting my coins in alphabetical order. I don't have many, maybe nine or so. But love them all.

  I truly appreciate any comments forum members may have about my coins. Life is all about learning! 

My first example: 

  1936 Cleveland half dollar in NGC MS-63. Purchased out of a Stacks/Bowers auction in 2021. In an old green holder Gen 3.0.

  The coin does have some prints which I don't normally like.  I felt this one was under graded.

  I'll be sending it out for a better image next month.

1936 mintage of 25,015 with 15 coins for assay and 25,015 coins minted in 1937 with 15 coins for assay. 86 coins melted.  Designed and modeled by Miss Brenda Putnam and distributed by the Cleveland Centennial Commemorative Coin Association, Thomas G. Melish, treasurer. The cost of one coin was $1.65, postpaid. Image courtesy of Stacks Bowers Galleries.

 

 

Mr. Edwin Dressel, Superintendent of the Philadelphia Mint and Nellie Tayloe Ross, Director of the U.S. Mint. Courtesy of the U.S. Mint.

Edited August 25 by leeg
Added more info and images

[AcesKings]

[J P M]

I had to have this one from my home state. I also think this one is under graded but who's to say. LoL 

[RWB]

On 8/23/2024 at 10:59 PM, leeg said:

Hey all,

  I don't feel this series gets the accolades each coin should. They all have their own story to tell, for good or bad. Please let me know if I'm wrong.

  I would hope that forum members post their coins and tell a little story about why they purchased the coin, i.e., album, registry set (50 piece-140 piece), anything you may want to ask about the coin, so on and so on.

  I will start posting my coins in alphabetical order. I don't have many, maybe nine or so. But love them all.

  I truly appreciate any comments forum members may have about my coins. Life is all about learning! 

My first example: 

  1936 Cleveland half dollar in NGC MS-63. Purchased out of a Stacks/Bowers auction in 2021. In an old green holder Gen 3.0.

  The coin does have some prints which I don't normally like.  I felt this one was under graded.

  I'll be sending it out for a better image next month.

 

Nice coin.

Absolutely awful design and modeling.

[rrantique]

[The Puritan]

I was going to get into this series back in April, but, decided to drop it as I couldn’t find what I was looking for. I’m hoping to get into it at some point as I really am just looking for a couple of coins from the set.

[RWB]

On 8/24/2024 at 3:05 PM, The Puritan said:

I was going to get into this series back in April, but, decided to drop it as I couldn’t find what I was looking for. I’m hoping to get into it at some point as I really am just looking for a couple of coins from the set.

Be sure to read LeeG's  research chapters on Classic Commemorative in NNP. His materials are so good, they will inspire you to toss out any book you might have on this series.

[Henri Charriere]

On 8/23/2024 at 11:30 PM, AcesKings said:

On refection, this magnificent coin deserves better than a hit-and-run Like, with no comment.  I can see why another member asked you to fill in for him on his longtime running thread. You appreciate greatness. Most notable about this coin is, unlike modern clads posing as wannabe coins, this coin cannot be described at a glance.  As a matter of fact, a full minute would only begin to do it justice. It is reminiscent of the allegorical Educational currency notes.  I give it 5 roosters, my highest, well-deserved rating: 🐓 🐓 🐓 🐓 🐓.  Thank you for your thoughtfulness in showcasing this extraordinary gem here for the benefit of another long-time member and a burgeoning membership comprised of eager beavers.

[J P M]

I purchased this one because I thought it was ugly and overkill on the obverse.

[rrantique]

[leeg]

Bump.

Added information and image.

[J P M]

I enjoy hunting for these coins in holders and most of them were reasonably priced but in the last few years they are going up fast. I think this has happened before on this series. They were up and then they went way down and now they are going up again. I picked this up last year for $10 I thought it was a good deal.

[RWB]

On 8/24/2024 at 5:33 PM, J P M said:

I purchased this one because I thought it was ugly and overkill on the obverse.

"Nice coin. Absolutely awful design and modeling."

[leeg]

This coin came from a forum member in 2021. You'll notice a little bit of toning at the very top of the Oak.

Better image coming next month.  I feel the 1935 Connecticut half dollar is a fan favorite.

25,018 pieces were coined at the Philadelphia Mint In April and May, 1935 with 18 pieces reserved for annual assay. Designed and modeled by Henry Kreis under the direction of Paul Manship. Distributed by the Connecticut Tercentenary Commission, Samuel H. Fisher chairman.

    The Act of Congress for this issue states that the Government shall not pay for the expenses of the designing of the models but it did finance this as a Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) project. The dies were prepared by the Medallic Art Company of New York.

     The Connecticut Tercentenary Commission released these, in small boxes, through the banks of Connecticut, at one dollar each. Proceeds from the sale of the coins were used to defray the expenses of the Celebration.

Image courtesy of TG.

 

[EarlyUS.com]

Never been certified:

 

Edited August 26 by EarlyUS.com

[J P M]

I have been on the hunt for a nice MS Pilgrim for a while now, but they always bid out to high. I had a chance to pick this one up also for $10 it is just a cull but still a nice coin to me. 

[leeg]

  I would like to give a little info about each coin/design that has been posted after my initial post. We have AcesKings showing his Texas half dollar:

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.

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.

“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 Chester PA Times, 06/27/1934.

 

[leeg]

This is the first Texas Centennial half dollar model sent by Coppini to the Commission of Fine Arts and their thoughts around it:

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

Model image above courtesy of the Commission of Fine Arts

 

[RWB]

Historical Note:

Sculptor member of the CFA was Lee Lawrie. In 1945, when John Sinnick was working on the Roosevelt dime, it  was Lawrie who helped Sinnock modify the portrait thereby vastly improving the coin's appearance. (See my book Saudi Gold and other Tales from the Mint for the full story of the Roosevelt Dime and Franklin Half.)

[leeg]

Thanks for the info Roger.

 

[leeg]

 

1924 Huguenot-Walloon Tercentenary Half Dollar

In February thru April, 1924, 142,080 pieces were coined at the Philadelphia Mint with 80 pieces reserved for annual assay and 87,000 sold for a $1 each to the public. A quantity of 55,000 pieces went back to the Treasury Department, which placed the coins into circulation. Designed by George T. Morgan chief engraver of the mint, used designs suggested by Dr. John Baer Stoudt (a Numismatist-LG). Distributed by the National Huguenot-Walloon New Netherland Commission, Inc., Rev. John Baer Stoudt, director.  Associated with the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America.

    Approved by Congress on February 26, 1923 and issued in commemoration of the three hundredth anniversary of the settling of New Netherland, the Middle States, in 1624, by Walloons, French and Belgian Huguenots, under the Dutch West India Company. 

Coin Description:

Obverse: Profiles of Admiral Coligny and William the Silent, with their names, in small letters, below. Inscription above, ‘United States of America.’ Below, ‘Huguenot Half Dollar.’ To right of busts, ‘In God We Trust.’ 

Reverse: Ship Nieu Netherland, in which the first 30 families of settlers came to New York, with the dates at the sides, 1624 and 1924. Inscription above, Huguenot-Walloon Tercentenary. Below, Founding of New Netherland.

 

[AcesKings]

[leeg]

100,058 pieces coined during August 1918 at the Philadelphia Mint with 58 pieces reserved for annual assay, none melted. The obverse was designed and modeled by George T. Morgan, the reverse by John R. Sinnock. Distributed by The Illinois Centennial Commission.  Image courtesy of Saen.

I have coins at GC right now! Check my listing on the Coin Marketplace!

[rrantique]