The 1936 York County, ME Tercentenary Half Dollar was sponsored by the York County Tercentenary Commemorative Coin Commission ("Commission"). It is definitely among the more
local US commemorative coins that would be hard-pressed to make its case for
national significance.I've previously discussed the coin and presented a few images of the Tercentenary Program that was distributed by the Commission in 1936.
1936 York County, Maine Tercentenary - RevisitedA few pages from a companion to the Program are presented here, the piece is a promotional travel brochure intended to entice visitors to plan their summer vacation in York County, Maine and enjoy "Maine's world famous beaches, literary and historic shrines, superb mountains, lakes and countryside." The brochure uses a similar design theme compared to the Program.
The brochure's centerfold draws attention to the York County commemorative half dollar, hypes it scarcity and encourages "coin collectors or others" to secure their coin "at once." The issue did sellout the 25,000 coins struck by the Mint for the Commission - I wonder how many orders were generated by this brochure?
The brochure is also evidence that the Commission had a mission beyond the commemorative coin, it promoted the tercentenary of York County, Maine and its many celebrations and observances. So, IMO, while the coin is a bit more
local than I would prefer for a legal tender US commemorative coin, its role within a larger overall program elevates it above coin programs such as the 1935 Old Spanish Trail and 1936 Cincinnati Music Center half dollars which were essentially all about an individual profiting from a Government-issued coin.
1936 York County, Maine Tercentenary Half Dollar
Panels from the York County, Maine Tercentenary Promotional Brochure
For more of my stories about commemorative coins and medals, including more on the York County half dollar, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 06/21/2024 1:38 pm
