Days Of Classic US Commemorative Coins

Wow!

These are all wonderful! I won't get to play again until Oregon (and I have a little surprise).

Debut in 3 hours 42 minutes!

Can't wait for the "surprise"!

Day Twenty-Three: 1926-39 Oregon Trail Memorial

Why issued?

1) To commemorate the heroism of the fathers and mothers who traversed the Oregon Trail to the Far West with great hardship, daring and loss of life.
2) To honor the 20,000 dead that lie buried in unknown graves along the 2,000 mile trail.
3) To help raise funds for the Oregon Trail Memorial Association, Inc. to rescue important points along the old trail from oblivion, and erect suitable markers/monuments along the trail.

Design // Designer

Obverse:. A pioneer family in a Conestoga wagon being pulled by two oxen making their way west along the Oregon Trail; the setting sun is seen in the background. // James Earl Fraser

Reverse: A representative Native American looking toward the east. He is shown wearing a feather bonnet and holding a bow in his right hand. He is also depicted with an outstretched left arm and upward extended hand seeming to indicate "Stop!" to one or more people approaching. // Laura Gardin Fraser

Net Mintages:

1926: 47,925
1926-S: 83,000
1928: 6,000
1933-D: 4,998
1934-D: 7,000
1936: 10,000
1936-S: 5,000
1937-D: 12,000
1938: 6,000
1938-D: 6,000
1938-S: 6,000
1939: 3,000
1939-D: 3,000
1939-S: 3,000

Quick Fact:

The US Mint records the wagon side of the coin as the obverse, but most collectors consider the Native American side as the obverse. The major grading companies, unless requested to do otherwise, encapsulate the coin as if the Native American side is the obverse.


Here's a link to one of my prior posts about the Oregon Trail half dollar, it includes one of the original distribution holders:
https://goccf.com/t/117855

Here is my first-year-of-issue 1926 Oregon. It is a brilliant piece with nice luster and attractive surfaces. It would be easy to purchase a technical upgrade, but I like the current coin enough to not to be in any rush to do so.

Side note: The rotation seen on the coin is normal for the issue.

This coin is my favorite design in the classic silver commemorative series ... a stunning work of numismatic art created by the 'first family' of coinage designers.

I enjoy the coin so much it has inspired me to seek out other pieces of sculptural work by James Earl and Laura Gardin Fraser ... works I might not otherwise have come to enjoy.

The Oregon Trail is the only multi-year issue for which I have an interest in collecting the date/mm set ... 14 coins in all of which I am slowly acquiring pleasing examples ... now have 8 of them.

@ CoinsKelly ... I recall your search for that initial coin ... your honestly circulated (XF) 1926-S ... pleased now to view your stunning MS 1938-D.

1937-D Oregon Trail Memorial Half Dollar - PCGS MS67+/CAC



Exemplifies the visual appearance of the MS coins I am seeking ... flashy white with booming luster and reasonable technical grade.

It brings me great collecting joy to seek these out at shows and every now and then find another to add to the set.

1926 Oregon Trail Memorial Half Dollar - PCGS VG08



With some patience one can obtain an honestly circulated Oregon Trail half ... nearly all know examples being from the initial year of issue (1926). PCGS has certified 33 Oregon Trail at XF45 or lower ... 30 of those are dated 1926.

The current PCGS lowball is AG03.

David

This is also how it is depicted in the Red Book.

Please remain mindful that commems is doing all the hard work to manage this thread ... my humble contributions are in a supporting role only and as such thrilled to view all the tremendous coins shown.

We have now completed 23 of the days ... believe it is indeed time for some well deserved recognition to our host commems ... I say your tremendous knowledge of the series coupled with an incredible writing style bring to life the coins in a manner unseen anywhere else ....

Tip of the cap to commems ...

Still waiting for the book release which contains all that knowledge, coins and associated ephemera.




@ muddler .. I have always enjoyed viewing your classic silver commemorative coins ... truly enjoy seeing them again in this thread and understand the passion it takes to achieve such a set.

Final note ...

I will be taking my annual foreign travel vacation starting Oct 25th ... and as such will miss all the 'days of' until my return on November 2nd.

Have no doubt that the thread will continue without me ... and also doubt that anyone wishes for a 'mass update' upon my return ..

I'll quietly slip back in upon my return ... with perhaps one or two special coins that should be shown.

Thanks again to commems for all the hard work to host this special thread!

David

I'm just a lurker that's immensely enjoyed and learned from this thread. Kudos to all that have contributed and a Derek Jeter tip of the cap to Commems for his incredible insight. Thank you!

Here is my personal favorite from my set: