The November 1926 issue of the American Numismatic Association's (
ANA)
The Numismatist magazine included a brief editorial on the recently-released Oregon Trail Memorial half dollar. I found one particular comment included in it especially interesting:
"The design is bold and striking. but is much more appropriate for a medal than a coin."
Among coin collectors and critics of numismatic art, the designs found on the Oregon Trail Memorial half dollar are often touted as among the finest - if not
the finest - designs of the classic-era series. And the "medallic" character of its designs are often praised and offered as a compliment.
The designs and models were created by
James Earle Fraser and his wife
Laura Gardin Fraser - both considered to be among America's finest-ever medallic artists.
The comment was presumably authored by Frank G. Duffield, the magazine's Editor and Business Manager. I think it goes to show that contemporary opinions can sometimes be on the wrong side of history. It reminds me of William Buckley's 1964 thoughts about the Beatles:
"The Beatles are not merely awful, I would consider it sacrilegious to say anything less than that they are godawful. They are so unbelievably horrible, so appallingly unmusical, so dogmatically insensitive to the magic of the art, that they qualify as crowned heads of anti-music."History has been a bit kinder to the Beatles and their positive impact on rock 'n roll,
1926 Oregon Trail Memorial Half Dollar
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including the Oregon Trial coin, check out:
Commems Collection
Posted 03/06/2022 08:48 am
