Commems Collection Classic: 1936 Rhode Island Tercentenary - Governor's Proclamation

Every US commemorative coin can trace its roots to some event - whether one from days long gone or from a current event. To celebrate its 300th anniversary of formal settlement in 1636, the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations decided to hold a year-long celebration with events throughout the calendar and across the State.

To give the celebration an official start, Rhode Island Governor Theodore Francis Green made a formal Proclamation that included brief notes on the State's earliest days, comments about its founder - Roger Williams - and offered an open invitation to all to come to Rhode Island during 1936 and enjoy all the State had to offer.

Of course, planning for the anniversary celebrations began long before 1936 kicked off - for example, the coin's authorization was signed into law in May 1935 - but the start of a state-level event needs a formal beginning and Governor Green's Proclamation did just that.

Hope you enjoy a bit of history that is coin-adjacent!





1936 Rhode Island Half Dollar




For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, see: Commems Collection.