Commems Collection Classic: 1946 Iowa Statehood Centennial

Next up on our commemorative journey is the 1946 Iowa Statehood Centennial, here shown in PCGS MS-67.

The coin features the Old Stone Capitol in Iowa City on the obverse; this building served as the center of government for the last days of the Iowa Territory and first days of the State of Iowa; the state capital was subsequently moved to Des Moines in 1857 and the building then became the first building of what is now Iowa State University. On the reverse is an eagle with 29 stars above (Iowa was the 29th state to join the Union). The coin was designed by Adam Pietz.

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The Iowa coin was one of the last of the traditional or classic US commemoratives to be authorized; the Booker T. Washington half dollar was authorized the same day, 7 August 1946 -- only a 1951 supplement to the BTW legislation to allow for the coining of Carver-Washington half dollars would follow. In his statement of approval, President Truman indicated a preference for commemorative medals vs. commemorative coins to mark such occasions (as had previous presidents) and added that he "shall look with disfavor upon any future proposals" for commemorative coins. In the years that followed, Truman vetoed bills for a Wisconsin Statehood Centennial half-dollar (1947) and a Minnesota Territorial Centennial half-dollar (1948). I guess Congress needed to test his resolve regarding commemoratives before they believed him! (Note: Though they didn't get an official US coin for their anniversaries, nice commemorative medals were struck privately for both states and are avidly collected as part of the H&K So-Called Dollar series.)

The coin shown is blast white with perfect cartwheel luster, it's a great looking coin in hand. This particular coin will always hold a special place in my commemorative collection, as it was the first "Superb" uncirculated coin that I ever purchased. For those unfamiliar with the adjectival grading scale, I believe the conversion is: "Choice" = MS-63/64, "Gem" = MS-65/66, "Superb" = MS-67/68 -- I don't know if they have an adjective for MS-69/70, maybe "Super Duper"?

Enjoy!


1946 Iowa Statehood Centennial -- Obverse




1946 Iowa Statehood Centennial - Reverse