Commems Collection Classic: Matched Pairs

Matched pairs of Franklyn Dollars

Here's a pairing of coins with themes tied to foundational documents in US history - one directed at foreign policy, one domestic: the 1923 Monroe Doctrine Centennial half dollar paired with the 1993 James Madison-Bill of Rights half dollar.

The Monroe Doctrine laid out a US foreign policy that declared the American continents were off limits to further colonization attempts by Europe and that Europe was not to interfere in the affairs of the now independent former Spanish American colonies.

A common misconception is that the Monroe Doctrine was a standalone document - like the Declaration of Independence. In fact, the principles that, as a group, came to be known as the Monroe Doctrine were statements made by Monroe during his annual address to Congress in December 1823 (largely written by John Quincy Adams).

The 1993 James Madison/Bill of Rights silver half dollar was part of a three-coin program (a Silver Dollar and Gold Half Eagle were also part of the program) that honored James Madison - the "Father of the US Constitution" - and his authorship of the Bill of Rights - the first ten ratified amendments to the US Constitution.

The Bill of Rights laid out the rights (e.g., the right to a jury trial, the right against unreasonable searches and seizures, the right to keep and bear arms,etc.) and freedoms (e.g., freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, etc.) to be enjoyed by Americans.

Side note: James Monroe followed James Madison as US President; Madison was the 4th, Monroe the 5th.

Hey jbuck! How about teaming up for a classic-modern pairing?

Here's my 1920 300th Anniversary of the Landing of the Pilgrims half dollar, which features a left-facing portrait of Governor William Bradford on its obverse and the Mayflower - the ship that brought the original colonists - on its reverse.



I believe you have a nice image of the 2020 Mayflower silver medal?

Interesting match!

I have another pair for consideration - it was right there under my nose the entire time and the connection is now so obvious I can't believe I overlooked it.

Topic is commemoratives honoring Revolutionary War patriots who fought for Independence from Britain.

1925 Lexington Concord Half


My image PCGS MS66/CAC

The obverse depicts Daniel Chester French statue of the Minuteman located in Concord MA. It represents not a specific individual but the citizen-soldier of the 1775 Lexington militia who first encountered the British at the battle made famous for 'the shot heard around the world'

Here I am in front of the statue for size comparison:



1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots Dollar


Source: Public Image

The obverse is a portrait of Crispus Attucks the first patriot killed in the Revolutionary War. As opposed to the Minuteman statue, this is a specific individual and is meant to represent the estimated 5,000 black patriots who were killed fighting the British.

The reverse is the proposed Black Revolutionary Patriots memorial statue intended for installation along the National Mall in Washington DC. To the best of my knowledge it has not yet been completed - someone please let me know if otherwise and I'll pay it a visit.

I had been holding off posting the Stone Mountain - Mount Rushmore pairing - I figured it was one that someone else would have posted.

Fantastic!