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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;leeg, post: 3388028, member: 17073&quot;]Been out of town for a week or so. I just listened to Hotel California, Don Felder and Joe Walsh Get R Done.&nbsp; Roger Burdette has something to say about the mintage numbers.&nbsp; Let&#039;s get into this chapter on the Alabama Centennial Half Dollar:</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/leeg1957/Book%20Project%20Images/Alabama/MGoodm3%20Image%20White%20Background.png" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><b>Alabama half dollar ‘Plain.’ On December 23, 1921 the mint struck 54,030 plain coins. Reserved pieces included 28 for Annual Assay and 2 for Special Assay.&nbsp; 5,000 returned to the Mint for melting. Designed and modeled by Laura Gardin Fraser and distributed by the Alabama Centennial Commission. A coin in my collection, Mark Goodman photographer.</b></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/leeg1957/Book%20Project%20Images/Alabama/2%20by%202%20%20A.png" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><b>Alabama half dollar “2X2”. On October 22, 1921 the mint struck 6006 “2X2” coins. Six pieces reserved for assay. On December 22, 1921 the mint struck 10,008 more “2X2” coins. Six pieces reserved for annual assay and two for special assay.&nbsp; A coin I used to own.&nbsp; Image courtesy of Pinnacle Rarities.</b></p><p><br /></p><p>Approved by Congress on May 10, 1920 and issued to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the admission of the State of Alabama into the Union.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Design:</b></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Obverse:</b> Depicts two Alabama governors: Wyatt Bibb (1819) and Thomas Kilby (1919). The 2x2 and 22 stars reflect Alabama as the 22nd State in the Union, the X between the 22 refers to the red St. Andrew’s cross on the state flag. Saint Andrew was the patron saint of Scotland. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is seen on the top, with IN GOD WE TRUST below. HALF DOLLAR is seen on the bottom. BIBB – KILBY is seen above.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Reverse:</b> Depicts an eagle perched on a horizontal shield with arrows in its talons and a ribbon in its beak. The ribbon states the motto ‘HERE WE REST’. At the top is STATE OF ALABAMA with the dates 1819 and 1919 on either side of CENTENNIAL. This is from the state seal.</p><p><br /></p><p><img src="https://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/leeg1957/Book%20Project%20Images/Alabama/66th%20Cong%202d%20Ses%2012011919%20TO%20jUNE%20051920%20Cover1.png" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><img src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/leeg1957/Book%20Project%20Images/Alabama/66th%20Congress%20Alabama%20Qtr%20Dollar.png" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p><b>The initial Act asked for a 25-cent piece was changed as referenced above to a 50-cent piece.</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><img src="https://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a195/leeg1957/Book%20Project%20Images/Alabama/BankheadOwens.png" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><b><b>Mrs. Marie Bankhead Owen, Chairwoman of The Alabama Centennial Commission. Courtesy Encyclopedia of Alabama.</b></b></p><p><br /></p><p>The designs for the coin were submitted by Mrs. Marie Bankhead Owen, Chairwoman of The Alabama Centennial Commission, and the sculpting of the models by Laura Gardin Fraser. Models by Laura G. Fraser whose signature L.G.F. is to be found in field near eagle on the reverse. Number coined – 54,038, melted – 5,000, distributed – 49,038.Coins sold for $1 each.</p><p><br /></p><p>The portrait of Governor Kilby on this piece has caused much comment. It was the first instance of the portrayal of a living person on a coin of our country, and has served as a precedent for several later issues. It seems indeed strange that this signal honor was not first accorded to a President or some other personage of greater significance in American history than a state Governor.</p><p><br /></p><p>Since the time of Washington, the portrayal of living persons upon coinage of the United States had been avoided. During the 1860’s and 70’s, the portraits of living Government officials did appear upon the United States notes and fractional currency, but owing to unsympathetic public reaction, it was considered advisable to abandon the practice. Coolidge, Glass and Robinson, respectively, later were accorded the honor of having their own portraits upon the United States coinage. Although there have been four exceptions to this unwritten law, there is general opposition to the procedure.</p><p><br /></p><p>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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