Classic U.S. Commemorative Coins, 1892-1954

I searched and did not find a thread just for early commemorative coins. I did find the Stone Mountain thread it is super nice work.

some of you may know I'm writing a book around the series. Been working on if for too long now. Last year I tried to get a grant from the CSNS, didn't get it. This year I'm trying for a Newman Grant.

I don't want to just overload this with images of everyone's early commemorative coins. Which is nice, but want to share some history. I'll just post some random coins from my collection, not many in my collection, and just share some history I've found. Like images of same coins would be Super. Here is my Front Cover Art for my book:

 

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I like 'em, but they do get pricey...

 

Pricey? Don't even ask about the toning premium on the picture above!

 

Out of curiosity, will this be similar to or different from Kevin Flynn's book that was published in 2008, The Authoritative Reference on Commemorative Coins 1892-1954?

Chris

 

Most say that the early commemorative series is in the dumps. If so, now's the time to buy. I have borrowed some information from most of the other authors in the series from the 1920s to the present time. Most has come from Roger Burdette, the Philadelphia Archives, CFA, actual Historical Societies that were responsible for the coin, and so on.

I have so much information that the book will probably be three volumes. I talk about the ceremonies around the coin and the people involved also.

I will start in the near future discussing coins that are in my collection. I hope all will enjoy.

 

First coin I'll share some history about is the Booker T. Washington. Share your's if you have one.


Designed by Isaac Scott Hathaway and distributed by Dr. S. J. Phillips, President of the Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial Commission. A coin in my collection (64PL), image by Bob Campbell.

Design:

Obverse: Portrayed is the bust of America’s foremost black educator, Booker Taliaferro Washington. (1858-1915). He is facing three quarters to the right. His name is placed in the lower border, while the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA are located around the upper border. BTW appears to be looking at the inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM in two lines in the right field. Situated in the left field are the words HALF DOLLAR. Appearing above the denomination is the date of issue. This can be 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, or 1951.


Reverse: Depicted is the Hall of Fame, a structure which is composed of a series of columns that are set at regular intervals, which support the base of observed roof structure. This colonnade, located at New York University, or ‘NYU’ as it is known among city residents, houses many busts and tablets honoring famous Americans. Located above the legend LIBERTY in the lower border is the unfortunate residence of Booker T. Washington—a slave cabin. Mintmark (D or S) appears below. In the left field are the words Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST is located in the lower left field. This issue was created by a black designer Isaac Scott Hathaway, who also created the Booker T. Washington—George Washington Carver commemorative half dollars.


From stereoview of Booker T. Washington at the historic Tuskegee Industrial School in Alabama. Caption: ‘Booker T. Washington, President of the Negro Industrial School, Tuskegee, Alabama. Copyright 1899 by Strohmeyer & Wyman.’ Published by Underwood & Underwood, 1899. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Courtesy of the U. S. Commission of Fine Arts
Minutes of Meeting held in Washington, D. C., October 4, 1946.

The following members were present:

Mr. Clarke, Chairman,

Mr. Finley, Vice Chairman,

Mr. Aldrich,

Mr. Reinhard,

Mr. Murphy,

Mr. Lawrie,


Also Mr. H. P. Caemmerer, Secretary and Executive Officer. Also, by invitation, Mr. Henry R. Shepley.


Booker T. Washington Memorial Coin: Under date of October 1, 1946, Mr. Howard submitted models for this coin, with letter as follows:

Dear Mr. Clarke:

Forwarded herewith are the models for the Booker T. Washington half dollar which was prepared by Mr. Charles Keck of New York City.

It is the opinion of this Bureau that the background on the obverse will have to be raised in order to meet the requirements of our coinage presses.


Very truly yours,


Leland Howard,

Acting Director of the Mint,



Also, on October 4th, Mr. Howard sent another set of models for this coin, with letter as follows:

Dear Mr. Caemmerer:

Mr. Phillips of the Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial Association called me on the phone yesterday and said that he was flying to Washington with new models of the Booker T. Washington commemorative coin. Mr. Phillips delivered the models to this office in damaged condition and without review I am sending them to you so that your Commission can consider them at its meeting today.

I think I should explain to you the Mint’s position on commemorative coins. We oppose the issuance of commemorative coins but after a bill is enacted authorizing the minting of a coin we do not attempt to take the responsibility for the design and other details except that we insist that the relief be of such nature that we can manufacture a coin that will stack properly. Therefore, when we submit models to you for your comments upon the artistic merits of the design, we do not want you to think we are in any way responsible for the design. We assume that the act authorizing the coins rests that responsibility with the committee appointed by the officials handling the event that is being commemorated.

I understand that Mr. Phillips has talked to you relative to these models.


Very truly yours,


Leland Howard,

Acting Director of the Mint,


The Commission inspected the models. They felt that the head of Booker T. Washington on the obverse of the set submitted by Mr. Phillips was better than that on Mr. Keck’s model, at least so far as likeness is concerned. The models submitted by Mr. Phillips were quite flat. It was understood they were made by an instructor of sculptor at Tuskegee Institute.

The reverse of the two sets of models was quite similar as to design, portraying some lettering, the cabin in which Booker T. Washington was born as a salve and the Hall of Fame, New York City, where he is commemorated.

The commission felt it would make a better coin to omit the two buildings as portrayed, since the model reduced to half-dollar size would practically wipe out the design of the building. However, Mr. Phillips said his Association is most anxious to show the buildings, since it illustrates the great opportunities there are in the United States for poor people to reach distinction. It was thereupon suggested that the two buildings in stylized form might appear satisfactory, and a sketch to illustrate this was given to Mr. Phillips. A new model for the reverse is to be made accordingly. A report was sent to the Acting Director of the Mint. (Exhibit D).


Exhibit D


October 7, 1946.

Dear Mr. Howard:

The Commission of Fine Arts, at their meeting on October 4, considered the models by Charles Keck, sculptor, which you submitted with your letter of October 1st. for the Booker T. Washington half dollar.

Also the Commission considered the models for this coin presented to you by Mr. Phillips of the Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial Association, and submitted to the Commission with your letter of October 4th.

The Commission feels that the likeness of Booker T. Washington as shown on the model presented by Mr. Phillips is better than that on the model by Mr. Keck; therefore the Commission approves it for the obverse of that commemorative coin.

For the reverse Mr. Philips will submit a revised model embodying suggestions by the Committee of fine Arts. It appears that the Association is anxious to portray both the cabin in which Booker t. Washington was born as a slave and the hall of fame, where he is commemorated. The Commission gave Mr. Phillips a sketch showing how this may be done in stylized form. The lettering on the models appears somewhat flat, perhaps too much so for minting purposes.

Both sets of models are herewith returned:


Sincerely yours,


Gilmore D. Clarke, Chairman.


Mr. Leland Howard,

Acting Director of the Mint,

Treasury Department,

Washington, D. C.

 

I love the cover page of your book, in particular the rainbow toned Pan-Pacific commem drew my attention. Don’t judge a book by its cover lol but it’s an excellent start!

Just a question, will the coins be depicted in their original size or as closeups?

 

Nice coin Larry.

All images of the coins are as wide as an 8 1/2 by 11 page will allow.

Here is an image of the damaged dies referenced above:


Original plaster models by Isaac Hathaway. Courtesy of The Commission of Fine Arts (CFA).

Another BTW in my collection:

 

I think I’m going to like this thread.

 

What premium would you place on this?

 

Interesting.

Side-note: I do a quote of the week email newsletter to my staff and a couple weeks back I used this. Noticed that the photograph is strikingly similar to the obverse of the BTW commem. and figured it was likely used as a reference for the design.

 

Super nice examples so far!

bud250r - I sure hope so. That's my goal.

I don't give any pricing or premium information in any chapter of my book. That's for others to decide. I do know that the 1946 is the highest mintage in the series. I discuss the coin's history, celebration, and people.

CircCam - Sure looks like it.

 

Isaac Scott Hathaway (1872-1967). Designer of the Booker T. Washington and Washington-Carver Half Dollars.


Isaac Hathaway, an artist, sculptor, educator and ceramist, was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on April 4, 1872. He served as head of the ceramic department at Tuskegee Institute (1937-47) and Alabama State Teachers College (1947-66) in Montgomery.




Promotions to try and help sales.

 

I'd like to buy a copy of the book when it's done. My father has 2 sets of MS commems and he'd enjoy the book.

 

My pleasure. Your added to my list.

 

Here is a little history about the Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial:

THE BOOKER T. WASHINGTON BIRTHPLACE MEMORIAL

Established in Franklin County, Va., near Hales Ford to perpetuate his ideals and teachings.

Nearly 65 years ago Booker T. Washington made an exhaustive study of the special needs of his race and worked out a program by which he hoped to raise the masses of people to the American standard of life. He instituted several movements to put his program into effect—movements that wee national in scope and which sought to carry help to those of his people who could not hope to receive formal training in the school which he founded—Tuskegee Institute. He lived sufficiently long to prove to the world that a great deal of good can be brought to our American way of life by putting into effect the things which he advocated, particularly the need for glorifying and dignifying labor and putting brains and skill into the ordinary occupations of life. Unfortunately, Booker T. Washington passed on before the public generally grasped the significance of his efforts.

The Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial has been established by a group of individuals who believe strongly in his philosophy and have dedicated themselves to the furtherance of the ideals to which he gave his life—attempting to help the man farthest down. The work of Booker T. Washington’ Birthplace Memorial will be to assist the masses of Negro’s to become proficient in those qualities and virtues without which they can never become strong Americans—qualities such as dependability, cleanliness, honesty, efficiency, loyalty, self-control, etc.

Because inspiration and ideals for a strong part of the life of any people, the birthplace of Booker T. Washington in Franklin County, Va., will be developed into a ‘living breathing’ memorial that will actually contribute to the welfare of those Americans by making possible to them a program that will show them the way to make of themselves the kind of Americans that will help to make our country strong.

This program through a trained, efficient group of workers, through simple literature, through radio programs, through many channels, will reach the farmer, the man on the job, the boy who has not had a chance at education, the girl in the laundry, etc., and bring to them the common-sense, fundamental teachings of this great leader.

 

We'll finish this chapter up with a few things:


Emmett J. Scott (on left) with Booker T. Washington (on right). Courtesy African American History, http://www .blackpast .org /aah/scott-emmett-j-1873-1957.

For the initial offering in 1946, more than 200,000 complete sets were possible of the Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco Mint coins. Philadelphia struck more than a million examples that year to provide for sales of single coins to the general public. Such sales rarely materialized, and many of these coins were subsequently melted or placed into circulation at face value. Nevertheless, all three mints coined this type annually through 1951 in ever-diminishing quantities that went straight to speculators and those few collectors who stayed with the program each year. Only the 1950-S and 1951(P) coins had significantly larger mintages, around half a million each, but again these coins were mostly returned to the Mint in later years for melting.

The 1946-47 series were distributed directly by the BTW Commission, but all subsequent issues were turned over to the coin dealership Bebee’s in Omaha for sale directly to coin collectors, it being evident by then that such people would be the only buyers. Even then, huge quantities went unsold and were ultimately handled by other dealers who acquired them at wholesale prices, and small hoards existed for years afterward as a drug on the market.

S. J. Phillips ultimately became mired in failed promises and charges of corruption and malfeasance. By the mid-1950s. it was evident that whatever money had been raised through the sale of these coins was either lost or insufficient for the original purpose of the program. In fact, the commission owed $140,000, and the Commonwealth of Virginia finally stepped in to purchase the Washington birthplace site and present it to the federal government.


Enjoy.

Lee

 

I'll let no man drag me down so low as to make me hate him........