Commems Collection Classic: Quick Bits 142 - A Pine Cone Connection

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commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12252 Posts	Posted 06/27/2025 7:18 pm Several classic-era US commemorative coins include either a partial or entire pine tree. What isn't always shown, however, are the tree's pine cones. Here are three "classics" that feature pine cones. 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition Gold Quintuple Eagle (Image Credit: PCGS CoinFacts.) The reverse of both varieties (round and octagonal) of the "Pan-Pac" $50 Gold coin depicts an owl on a pine tree branch with multiple pine cones visible. 1920 Maine Statehood Centennial Half Dollar Pine cones are found on the Maine's reverse, as part of the pine-branch wreath that encircles the coin's commemorative inscription. 1936 Albany, New York Charter 250th Anniversary Half Dollar A beaver is depicted gnawing on a maple branch on the Albany's obverse, but on its reverse is where an observant viewer can find pine cones - they are used as separators between "ALBANY, NY" (at the bottom rim) and the coin's other rim inscriptions. Also seen are pine cones on the small pine tree positioned behind English Governor Thomas Dongan (at viewer's left). Any others that come to mind for you? Note: Pine cones have a key role in a pine tree's reproduction. Female pine cones (the ones with which most are familiar) hold and protect the tree's seeds. Fertilized seeds are dispersed from female pine cones that have opened. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff

nickelsearcher Moderator United States 15386 Posts	Posted 06/27/2025 7:34 pm Your ability to understand and then describe the myriad details of these coins is simply amazing. I salute you for having done so again. Pine cones indeed. Quote: Any others that come to mind for you? I'm going to have to get back to you on that question - but it appears as a softball thrown for a good research answer. Hmmmm - searching for pine cones. Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art Report this Post to the Staff
Marv65 Bedrock of the Community United States 10478 Posts	Posted 06/27/2025 8:47 pm Very nice looking classic commemoratives. Report this Post to the Staff
nickelsearcher Moderator United States 15386 Posts	Posted 06/28/2025 08:33 am Quote: Hmmmm - searching for pine cones. I have high resolution images of my entire MS classic silver set. I spent time this morning reviewing each coin and alas cannot find any definite signs of additional pine cones. One possibility - but I'm not sure. Ellinor Dare stands on a plinth with a tree branch growing to the viewers right. Could this be a pine tree with cones? Other than this possibility I'm stumped. Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art Report this Post to the Staff
commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12252 Posts	Posted 06/28/2025 10:52 am Quote: Ellinor Dare stands on a plinth with a tree branch growing to the viewers right. Could this be a pine tree with cones? That's one of the two classic-era US commemorative coins that fall into the "almost" category! The Roanoke Colony Half Dollar does include a pine tree sapling on its reverse, but it's too young for pine cones! Good thinking, however! The other "almost pine cone" coin that might come to mind is the 1936 York County, Maine Tercentenary Half Dollar, it includes a pine tree within the shield on its obverse, but no pine cone(s), I don't recall any other classic-era coin with a pine cone. I intended my question to serve as a catalyst for some thought/investigation among fans of the series! Hopefully, it did for others besides nickelsearcher! Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff
nickelsearcher Moderator United States 15386 Posts	Posted 06/28/2025 12:34 pm Quote: 1936 York County, Maine Tercentenary Half Dollar, it includes a pine tree within the shield on its obverse, but no pine cone(s) I made note of that pine tree this morning during my coin by coin review - but did not offer it up since there were obviously no pine cones. It was a fun search, and I'm again impressed by the wide variety of vegetation (trees mainly) that appear in the classic silver set. Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 187582 Posts	Posted 06/30/2025 11:23 am Very interesting! Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
CelticKnot Bedrock of the Community United States 12811 Posts	Posted 07/02/2025 06:59 am This is a fun mini-collection. I can think of plenty of oak tree / acorn examples but no additional pine cones. Report this Post to the Staff
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