Commems Collection Classic: 1936 Cincinnati Music Center 50th Anniversary - Historical Tidbits

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commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12253 Posts	Posted 04/20/2026 10:44 am A brief collection of tidbits about the 1936 Cincinnati half dollar... Tidbit #1 It was reported in May 1936, that Thomas Melish had traveled to Washington, DC to meet with Charles Moore of the United States "US" Commission of Fine Arts ("CFA") to discuss the CFA's objection to Stephen Foster being the main subject of the Cincinnati commemorative coin. As a result of the meeting, Melish agreed that Theodore Thomas would replace Foster on the coin due to his much more closely-aligned connection to Cincinnati musical history. (See: 1936 Cincinnati Music Center 50th Anniversary - The "Fight" Over Foster. Such an alledged agreement was, ultimately, not implemented, however, as Foster appears prominently on the coin's obverse. Tidbit #2 The inappropriate selection of Stephen Foster for depiction on the Cincinnati half dollar did not escape general notice. In May 1936, The Cincinnati Post ran a piece by Eugene Segal that presented a clear attack on the coin's dubious foundation. It included: "...it turns out that the Cincinnati coin will commemorate practically nothing since 1886 was not particularly eventful in the city's musical history. "'Well, anyway,' says Mr. Schultz 'It was about that time that Cincinnati got in music.' "Actually, Theodore Thomas, the musical director...started [Cincinnati's] May Festival in 1873, the [city's] College of Music in 1878..." Note: William J. Schultz was the secretary of the Cincinnati Musical Center Commemorative Association; Thomas G. Melish was its president. Tidbit #3 Another story of the time that discussed the coin's design reported "Publicity attendant to the controversy over the design has directed attention to the abuse of special coining privilege, and from all indications it will be exceedingly difficult to put similar bills through Congress in the immediate future." The clock had begun ticking on the classic era of US commemorative coins! Tidbit #4 Secretary Schultz also commented, "The main thing about this [coin], is that it will be good advertising for Cincinnati." The real driver behind the coin? 1936 Cincinnati Musical Center 50th Anniversary Half Dollar For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more Cincinnati half dollar stories, see: Commems Collection Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff

jbuck Moderator United States 187672 Posts	Posted 04/20/2026 12:33 pm Very interesting tidbits. Thank you for sharing. 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
nickelsearcher Moderator United States 15389 Posts	Posted 04/20/2026 7:25 pm Arrgh ... I feel my collectors ire rise whenever we need to deal with this Cincinnati Half. It was conceived on false pretenses, pushed through congress and distributed for the sole personal profit of grifter Thomas G Melish. There is not a shred of civic correctness in the patently false narrative of the Cincinnati 50th anniversary as a music center, and the con man Melish was undoubtably laughing all the way to the bank with the proceeds from his coin being minted at all three mints. IMO this is the poster child of collector abuse during the wild west days of the commemorative craze era. Uhhhmmm ... should I tell you how I really feel about it. 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 12253 Posts	Posted 04/20/2026 8:43 pm Quote: Uhhhmmm ... should I tell you how I really feel about it. Absolutely! Don't hold back! Tell us how you really feel! Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff
nickelsearcher Moderator United States 15389 Posts	Posted 04/21/2026 07:07 am OK ... I've calmed down. This thread does give me the opportunity however to revisit the remarks I made during commems epic 'Days of Classic Commemorative Thread' on the circulated Cincinnati Half. You can read the entire epic 2014 discussion here: https://goccf.com/t/187113 During that thread I introduced the concept of the 6 "stoppers" for any collector pursuing a type set of circulated classic silver commemorative. The Cincinnati Music Center Half was stopper #5. Here is what I said in 2014: Quote: #5: 1936 Cincinnati Musical Center Half Dollar Given the history of the distribution and initial pricing of this example ... it is amazing to me that any Cincinnati reached true certifiable circulated state. The only conclusion I can draw is that the 4 certified examples at XF45 or lower (all in PCGS holders) were pocket pieces. The current lowball is PCGS VF20. My Cincinnati is a Philly mint example 1936 Cincinnati - PCGS XF40 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 12253 Posts	Posted 04/21/2026 9:27 pm I know it's too high of a grade to be part of a top (bottom?) Low Ball set, but I do like the one circulated classic era US commemorative coin I have in my collection. Now if I could just remember where I got it. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 94765 Posts	Posted 04/21/2026 10:39 pm love the tidbits commems - thanks. Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 51/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Sacagawea Dollars Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels 1938-2005 Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff
nickelsearcher Moderator United States 15389 Posts	Posted 04/22/2026 06:51 am Quote: Now if I could just remember where I got it. I enjoy viewing that old friend on the occasions when you share it. Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 187672 Posts	Posted 04/22/2026 11:19 am Ah, yes. 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
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