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 Replies: 14 / Views: 2,755 |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12252 Posts |
Next up is the 1925 Lexington-Concord Sesquicentennial in PCGS MS-65. The coin commemorates the 150th anniversary of the first military engagements between the American colonial militia forces and the British Army regulars, first in Lexington, then in Concord and then again as the British left Concord and headed back to Boston through Lexington (all in Massachusetts) -- it was the start of the American Revolutionary War. The obverse of the coin depicts Daniel Chester French's Minute Man statue; it was unveiled at the Centennial (1875) commemoration of the battles. The reverse shows the Old Belfry in Lexington; the bell in the Old Belfry was used to call the local militia to arms. Chester Beach was the designer of the coin. Read More: Commems CollectionWith a net mintage of roughly 162,000, the coin is readily available and inexpensive in grades AU through MS-64 -- the price break occurs at MS-65. I'm very disappointed in the scanned images presented below as they really don't reflect the brilliant, blast white, cartwheel luster of this coin. In hand, it's "Wow!" (I really have to get a digital camera!) Enjoy! 1925 Lexington-Concord Sesquicentennial -- Obverse 1925 Lexington-Concord Sesquicentennial -- Reverse Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
I love this coin and the history that it represents. Truly one of the best commens in my opinion. Actually just picked up one of those not to long ago.
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Moderator
United States
15386 Posts |
Outstanding ... even if a scanned image. I can only imagine how this coin looks in hand.  Interesting tidbit is Chester Beach involvement with the design of this coin ... he (Mr. Beach) being one of my favorite designers in the classic commemorative series. History records that separate committees from both Lexington and Concord were pushing to have a commemorative made ... and unknown to each other, both contacted Chester Beach to prepare the designs for submission to the Commission of Fine Arts. Beach resolved this dilemma by asking both committees to pay 1/2 of his fee ... and designed the obverse for the Concord committee ... and the reverse for the Lexington committee. Today we have the Lexington-Concord half dollar ... a commemorative that actually commemorates an event of national significance. Thanks for sharing your quality coins commems. David Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Nickel that is a very interesting tidbit I did not know. Just thinking about what the coin represents sends chills up my back
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
Very nice! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2295 Posts |
Another great coin! I enjoy reading your details on them too.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
781 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
781 Posts |
Regarding the Old Belfry, I haven't seen it myself yet (maybe I'll wait a few MORE decades) but it is located at 42.448217, -71.230865  From the Lexington MA website: Originally built on its present site in 1762, the Belfry was moved to the Battle Green in 1768. From there the bell summoned people to worship, warned them of danger, tolled on their deaths, and sounded the alarm of April 19, 1775. After the original structure was lost to fire, this exact reproduction was built in 1910 on the Belfry's original site on Belfry Hill.Interestingly, the building itself has a sign which states the original was "destroyed by a gale 1909". Last I checked, a "gale" isn't a "fire"! https://lccn.loc.gov/2016799071 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2869 Posts |
I wonder which one is the actual thing that happened to it.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
781 Posts |
I was also curious, and looked at the Boston Globe online archive... it was a GALE alright!
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12252 Posts |
Quote:
I wonder which one is the actual thing that happened to it. The records of the Lexington Historical Society and the Massachusetts Historical Commission each list the Old Belfry as being destroyed by a gale in 1909 and rebuilt in 1910. From Lexington: The Birthplace of American Liberty published in 1915 (4th Edition), "Much weakened by decay and beyond preservation, it was destroyed by a gale on June 20, 1909." Also, contemporary newspapers reported its loss due to a gale. I will side with such groups and contemporary published accounts vs. what is stated on a 21st century web site created for tourists. One possible source of the confusion: The Old Belfry Club building was lost to fire (in 1968). Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
Nice photos! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
781 Posts |
Quote:
I will side with such groups and contemporary published accounts vs. what is stated on a 21st century web site created for tourists I agree, THOUGH you'd think whoever typed up the short description on the town's site could get a simple thing like that right... you'd also think the Historical Society would care enough to make sure it was correct. I guess that is asking too much...  Boston Globe 6/21/1909  |
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
Quote:
Boston Globe 6/21/1909 Thank you for sharing. |
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Replies: 14 / Views: 2,755 |
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Posted 03/30/2012 11:37 pm
