Days Of Classic US Commemorative Coins

Day Forty-Six: 1936 Elgin, Illinois

Why issued?

1) To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the City of Elgin, Illinois.
2) To commemorate the erection of the Pioneer Memorial in Elgin.
3) To help the Elgin Centennial Monumental Association raise funds to support its planned anniversary celebrations.


Design // Designer

Obverse:. A pioneer, circa 1835, wearing a fur cap. The portrait is a close-up of the scout depicted on the reverse of the coin. // Trygve Rovelstad

Reverse: The planned Pioneer Memorial statue that was to be erected in Elgin. The statue/coin includes four standing figures, a scout holding a rifle on the left, a pioneer father and mother (holding a baby) at the center and a young pioneer boy on the right; the father is said to be modeled after James Gifford, the founder of Elgin. // Trygve Rovelstad


Net Mintage:

25,000

Original Selling Price:

$1.50


Quick Fact:

The Elgin is yet another example of a US commemorative coin that plays fast and loose with dates. Though authorized, minted and distributed in 1936, it was actually in 1935 that Elgin celebrated the centennial of its founding. Also, the ‘1673' date on the coin has no relation to Elgin, it marks the year in which Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet traveled the Mississippi River and passed through what is now the State of Illinois.


Here's a link to one of my prior posts about the "Elgin" half dollar:
https://goccf.com/t/131621

My example is a pleasing, satiny white example with nice cartwheel luster on each side.

This is the ninth coin we have discussed so far that was authorized to commemorate an event of only local interest ... in this case an anniversary that actually occurred in 1935.

1936 Elgin (Illinois) Centennial Half Dollar - PCGS MS65/CAC



Booming cartwheel luster on a blast white coin - glowing from across the room. A technical upgrade to MS66/MS67 is obtainable in today's market ... however I have never seen a more visually attractive example of the Elgin half.

1936 Elgin (Illinois) Centennial Half Dollar - PCGS G04



This is the rarest coin in my entire dual classic silver commemorative sets - a unique combination of difficulty to find coupled with outstanding technical grade (albeit lowball grade in this case).

This G04 Elgin half dollar is the current PCGS lowball - there are two other Elgin certified by PCGS below AU ... a VG08 example and one other at VF30.

In my judgment ... the 1936 Elgin Half Dollar is the fourth of five 'stoppers' for a complete circulated classic silver commemorative type set - it is possible that a dedicated lowball collector might never find one.

There is one more 'stopper' on the way ... looking forward to discussing my views on that coin with you.

I would be remiss to not acknowledge commems invaluable support to help me acquire this lowball Elgin.

commems found this coin (raw) at a show and snapped a few photos to share with me ... upon receipt of my interest commems put me in touch with the dealer ... and the coin was acquired for my set.

Without commems support I would still be looking for a circulated Elgin half ... Thanks again.

David

Pleased that you are here with us ... there are some true experts contributing to this thread and hopeful that their commentary supports your future coin purchases.

David

Day Forty-Seven: 1936 San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge

Why issued?

1) To celebrate the opening of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
2) To help the San Francisco Clearing House Association raise funds to support its planned "Grand Opening" celebrations.


Design // Designer

Obverse:. A California Grizzly Bear. // Jacques Schnier

Reverse: A partial view of the bridge as would be seen from the San Francisco side; the tower section of the San Francisco Ferry Building is seen in the foreground. // Jacques Schnier


Net Mintage:

71,369

Original Selling Price:

$1.50


Quick Fact:

The Bay Bridge opened to the public on 12 November 1936 - motorists could purchase the coin during its opening days at kiosks at bridge entrances for $1.50.


Here's a link to one of my prior posts about the "Bay Bridge" half dollar:
https://goccf.com/t/115776

My example has a nice, "creamy" luster on both sides and is free of significant marks.

That would have been fun.

I havent been able to post in forever! Here is my Bay Bridge.

Coin friends - Brutal work weekend for me ... over 25 hours worked since Friday 5pm ... back at it again this morning at 6am.

My commentary on this 10th such city/county commemorative will be brief alas ...

1936 Columbia (SC) Sesquicentennial Half Dollar - PCGS MS66/CAC



Philadelphia minted issue. Mostly white with limited toning. Have long searched for a blast white example.

1936 Columbia (SC) Sesquicentennial Half Dollar - PCGS XF40



Difficult circulated coin for the modern collector to obtain - examples rarely appear in the market.

My XF40 example was likely a pocket piece - evidenced by the light golden toning.

PCGS has certified 4 total Columbia half (all 3 mints) below AU ... the current lowball is a stunning VG08 example.

David

I really like this coin a lot. For a long time I wanted this one for that final hole in my 7070. While my living in SC for almost thirty years now is a good reason for it, two things kept me from buying it.

First, the price. Every one I found was slabbed and top dollar.

Second, that one year I lived in Columbia was the worst year of my life (I live in the Upstate now).



Oh, and it is the home of the enemy... Go Tigers!