Post a classic commemorative half dollar beginning with my new Oregon Trail & ...

Here is a thread to post your favorite classic commemorative half dollars (also dollars & quarters if you got em). This last weekend I picked-up this Oregon Trail. I had to choose between a blast-white 1926-S and this 1926 (plain). I selected the Philadelphia coin because it had not been so obviously dipped & it still included some delicate golden tone nestled in the luster. I’ve tried to capture the golden tone but it is difficult to photograph this flashy coin in the 2x2.

According to The Swiatek & Breen Commemorative Coin book, the Oregon Trail commemorative coin program has a long & convoluted history. This commem was issued with various dates & mint marks from 1926 to 1939.

 

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We coin collectors now have a very artistic collectable coin. However, the big winners were apparently the original promoters of the coin. The Oregon Trail commemorative sold at different price levels between 1926 & 1939. There were several marketing tiers and outlets and even some hoarding & re-marketing in the mix. Initially, the price ranged from $1 to $2 per piece. In the later years, a PDS set was selling for between $6.25 and $7.50. This commemorative was apparently quite the expensive thing to own during the depression. The purchase price of this coin could have paid for a week’s groceries in some cases. [I think I read that factoid in the Swiatek & Breen Commemorative book].

In my opinion, the Oregon Trail is a darn pretty coin. I personally like the design of the obverse (& the reverse) very much. I enjoy the image of the American Indian standing much like a cop directing traffic. It is as though he is saying “stop, you may push us to this point on the map but no further”. I believe the Swiatek & Breen book made a similar reference to the obverse design.

 

FF (Full Fingers) designation was once coined by our member Hobo

The 1926 Philadelphia specimens (like my coin) do not show the Indian’s fingers where he is holding the bow. This is a die characteristic of the 1926 coins. Later years can be found both better struck & including the finger details at the bow. Coins dated after 1926 also have much lower mintage figures compared to the 48,000 struck 1926 Philadelphia coins.

 

That is the only commemorative I have really wanted...I plan on making that a purchase on the day I close on the house as a celebration coin. Thanks for sharing.

 

Good coin. I understand that it is very difficult to find surviving pieces that have good detail in the faces of the agriculture guy & the commerce guy. There is a nice little moose on the obverse.

I wonder if everyone knows what DIRIGO means? I had to look it up. It means "I lead" or "I direct".

 

There's a lot of die polish marks on this one as well, especially on the reverse. The whole release seems prone to them.


And Larry? That's a 'killer' Boone. Gotta be at least a '66.......

 

Hello Robec,

Thanks for posting the awesome coins. Please post some more.

 

Here is my 1915-S Panama-Pacific Half Dollar. I got it at the FUN show earlier this year.

Can anyone post the other Pan-Pac coins like the gold dollar, quarter eagle, or maybe a $50? :devil:

 

The TrueViewed Oregon is unfortunately the only Commemorative I own.

I do have several photos I have taken of other examples belonging to some NGC/PCGS members.

 

I got these three at FUN earlier this year.....hey Collect, sorry I missed ya there.

 

How could you miss recognizing me? I was the man carrying a magnifying glass & looking at coins. I should have been easy to locate.

Actually I was taking a little vacation and didn't have good access to the Internet. The result was that I didn't know where the CT folks were meeting for dinner until after I departed the show.

 

I've posted these before but I just love the designs.

 

Here is a 1936 San Diego from my collection.

 

I see that one every day when I open up the Newest acquisitions thread. Seen it hundreds of times and still love it and want to get one.

 

That is a great cat

The Encyclopedia of United States Silver & Gold Commemorative Coins by Swiatek & Breen contains a lot of good information. They don't recognize the exact idealized wildcat on the reverse. However, you’ve got to respect that cougar-panther-puma depicted.

 

I'll 'see' your San Diego...........









And 'raise' ya a Connecticut........