Commems Collection Classic: 1936 Lynchburg, VA Sesquicentennial - Historical Tidbits

Here are a few quick notes about the 1936 Lynchburg, Virginia Sesqui-Centennial Half Dollar...


Tidbit #1

New York artist/sculptor, and well-known medalist, Charles Keck was selected to create the design for the Lynchburg, VA Sesqui-Centennial coin. In July 1936, it was reported that he had begun work on the models for the coin and was expected to send them to the United States ("US") Commission on Fine Arts for review and approval in August 1936.


Tidbit #2

In July 1936, Senator Carter Glass contacted the US Mint with a question: "Is it permissable for the profile of a live man to appear on coins?" - He was hoping for an "escape route" as he was strongly opposed to having his portrait on the Lynchburg Sesquicentennial Half Dollar.

The Mint responded that there was no law against it - much to the disappointment of Senator Glass.

Note: Glass was the Honorary Chairman of the Lynchburg Sesqui-Centennial Association.


Tidbit #3

The Lynchburg half dollar - with Senator Carter Glass' portrait - was apparently popular in political circles in 1936. The Sesqui-Centennial Association reported in August 1936 that it had received coin orders from Virginia Governor Alf Landon, Senator Royal S. Copeland (D-NY), Senator Jesse H. Metcalf (R-RI), Senator Josiah W. Bailey (D-NC), Senator Peter G. Gerry (D-RI) and Senator Morris Sheppard (D-TX).


Tidbit #4

Senator Glass was presented with one of the Lynchburg Sesquicentennial coins in October 1936 during a ceremony held in Lynchburg, Virginia. The coin was presented to Senator Glass by Colonel Edwin A. Halsey, the Secretary of the US Senate (and fellow Virginian).

In presenting the coin, Halsey stated:

"The outstanding souvenir of the sesquicentennial of Lynchburg is a silver half dollar, authorized for this occasion by a special Act of Congress. Since the foundation of the Republic, the likeness of only the pre-eminent patriots of the nation have been selected to grace its coins and currency.

"Lynchburg, in searching for one forecefully to symbolize the the salient features of our city, has chosen you, Senator Glass. Through your endeavors for the establishment of the Federal Reserve System and your initiative and co-operation in the enactment of banking laws, stabilized currency has become universal! Your governmental services have been a credit to your state and country."


Tidbit #5

In November 1936, in a cartoon titled "Old Dominion Oddities," by Foxo Reardon, it was stated:

"The Lynchburg Sesqui-Centennial coin, bearing the profile of Sen, Carter Glass is the only U.S. coin ever minted on which one living person's image appears - it is true a likeness of President Coolidge in 1926 and the Governor of Alabama in 1921 appeared on U.S. coins but each appeared with the image of another person not living - the former with George Washington and the latter with the Governor of Alabama in 1821."

Senator Glass would soon (early 1937) be joined, however, by Senator Joseph T. Robinson on the 1936 Arkansas Statehood Centennial Half Dollar.

See Quick Bits #07 - Alive And Well (At The Time!) for more on the topic of "Live" persons depicted on US classic-era commemorative coins.


1936 Lynchburg, VA Sesquicentennial Half Dollar



For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including other 'Historical Tidbits' stories and more about the Lynchburg half dollar, see: Commems Collection