The 1937 Battle of Antietam Half Dollar commemorates the bloodiest single day of the US Civil War - 17 September 1862. During the battle, the first major battle on Union soil, it is estimated that approximately 23,000 soldiers were either killed or wounded. The battle, a strategic Union victory that halted the Confederacy's invasion of Maryland and prevented its advance on Washington DC, took place in Washington County, MD, in the vicinity of Sharpsburg. In the North, the battle was named for the Antietam Creek which flowed through the battlefield; in the South, the battle was referred to as the Battle of Sharpsburg, based on the name of the nearby town.
Maryland, site of the Battle of Antietam, was a "border state" during the Civil War, being part of the line that separated the Union from the Confederacy. It was a state of mixed loyalties, however, with supporters of both sides of the conflict residing within its boundaries. Though many in the State supported slavery (especially in the southern and eastern portions of the State), Maryland did not secede from the Union and remained part of the United States throughout the War. Marylanders were to be found fighting for on both sides on the Antietam battlefield.
In September 1937, the National Antietam Commemoration was held in Hagerstown, MD. The Commemoration began on Friday, September 3, 1937 with the crowning of "Miss Antietam" and the associated Coronation Ball. The Commemoration honored all those who fought in the battle, regardless of side. The core of the commemoration began on Saturday and continued for two weeks, with a re-enactment of the famous battle taking place on Friday, September 17. Highlights of the commemoration included multiple presentations of the historical pageant "On Wings of Time" and an address by US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt ahead of the battle re-enactment.
Official Program - National Antietam Commemoration
(Image Credit: Personal collection.)The commemoration events were described by
Maryland Motorist Magazine as a "junior world's fair." In addition to the pageant performances, commemoration events included a "gala carnival midway, a stately museum overflowing with objects of rare historical interest, a series of villages depicting life in foreign countries, a glorious field of flowers on the approach to the Horticultural Hall, a long Industrial Court displaying some of the earliest curiosities and some of the latest wonders in manufacturing, a Travel Building devoted to the visual store of ancient and modern transportation, the Paradise Gardens where all the animals and all the plants will flourish, a Commercial Building where hundreds of nation wide wholesalers and retailers will spread their wares before the world." (Rada, James, Jr., "Remembering Battle of Antietam in 1937," 08 Aug 2012, Cumberland Times-News,
https://www.times-news.com/news/loc...9469b1.html) Unfortunately for organizers and attendees, rain caused cancellations and postponements of some events scheduled for the first few days of the Commemoration. Eventually, however, the skies cleared enough for the event to continue with its schedule. Overall, however, the Commemoration was deemed a success, including generating a profit and notable surplus.
Proceeds raised from sales of the Battle of Antietam Half Dollar were a contributor to the funds needed to stage the 1937 Commemoration (75th Anniversary) - though not as significant a contributor as hoped! The half dollars were sold by the Washington County Historical Society (WCHS) - the sponsor of the coin - for $1.65 each (including postage and insurance) - resulting in a net of approximately $1.00 per coin (the Society reported a net of just under $1.00 each).
1937 Battle of Antietam 75th Anniversary Half Dollar
(Image Credit: Personal collection.)Per Mint records, the US Mint in Philadelphia struck and delivered the authorized mintage of 50,000 (+ assay pieces) Battle of Antietam half dollars in August 1937. The Historical Society was advertising the coins and accepting orders for them prior to their receipt from the Mint. The Society reported 1,615 coins ordered and paid for by June 4, 1937, and a reported 3,350 coins by July 16, 1937. Orders for an additional 3,487 coins had been reserved without an accompanying payment.
Though the early orders were a good start, and orders continued to be received after the Commemoration, the coin did not prove to be a highly popular issue among collectors and/or the general public looking for a souvenir of the anniversary. Final sales for the coin totaled approximately 18,000 with the balance of roughly 32,000 coins returned to the Mint to be melted.
For more of my topics on commemorative coins and medals, including more on the Battle of Antietam half dollar, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 02/14/2023 08:48 am
