Days Of Classic US Commemorative Coins

Day Forty-Nine: 1936 Delaware Tercentenary

Why issued?

1) To commemorate the 300th anniversary of the landing of the Swedes in (present-day) Delaware.
2) To help the Delaware Swedish Tercentenary Commission raise funds to support its planned anniversary celebrations.


Design // Designer

Obverse:. The Old Swedes Church (built in 1698 and still in use today as a house of worship). // Carl Schmitz

Reverse: The sailing ship the Kalmar Nyckel, the ship that brought the original Swedish settlers to the New World in 1638. // Carl Schmitz


Net Mintage:

20,993

Original Selling Price:

$1.75


Quick Facts:

The coin was approved by Congress in 1936, well in advance of the 300th anniversary of "New Sweden" that was to be celebrated in 1938; the US Mint struck the coins in 1937.

Carl Schmitz won an open design competition sponsored by the Delaware Tercentenary Commission; he received $500 for his winning entry.


Here's a link to one of my prior posts about the "Delaware" half dollar:
https://goccf.com/t/118796


My example is a nice, flashy white coin with a good strike.






Also inlcuded here is a badge that was used during the 1938 anniversary celebration in Wilmington, Delaware (site of the original landing of the Swedes).




I've also included a contemporary medal that was sold by Tatham Stamp & Coin Company of Springfield, Massachusetts; the medal was struck by Whitehead & Hoag of Newark, New Jersey. Tatham issued a number of commemorative medals during the 1930s, with several having a tie-in to an official US commemorative half dollar. The reverse of the medal features an open wreath with a blank center that could be used for a custom-engraved inscription. The piece shown is bronze with an oxidized silver finish. The medal sold in 1938 for 50 cents.

The medal doesn't warrant being graded and encapsulated by a third party service, but I encountered it already in an NGC holder and for essentially the same price as a raw example. So, it was an easy purchase decision.

Day Fifty: 1936 Battle of Gettysburg

Why issued?

1) To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.
2) To help the Pennsylvania State Commission (working on behalf of the Governor of the State of Pennsylvania) raise funds to support its planned anniversary celebrations.


Design // Designer

Obverse:. Right-facing, conjoined portraits of a Union soldier (foreground) and a Confederate soldier (background); the portraits are unnamed and meant to be representative of each side's forces. // Frank Vittor

Reverse: The Union (left) and Confederate (right) shields with a double-bladed fasces between them. // Frank Vittor


Net Mintage:

26,900

Original Selling Price:

$1.65


Quick Facts:

Just as with the Delaware half dollar, the Gettysburg coin was approved by Congress in 1936 for a 1938 anniversary celebration; the US Mint struck the coins in 1937 but, by law, they were dated "1936".


Here's a link to one of my prior posts about the "Gettysburg" half dollar:
https://goccf.com/t/125711


My example is a brilliant "minty fresh" example with wonderful luster on both sides.





Here's an example of an original Promotional / Order Acknowledgement card for the coins.

This is another classic commemorative that I really like. Like the Columbia, it was an unrealistic choice for my 7070 based on price and availability in the circulated grade I would want.

Boy can I pick them, went on the bay and looked at what they had, sorry but all over my budget.

Mike and jbuck - your replies raise a valued discussion topic that has not been covered in this tremendous thread.

Current market prices for these coins ...

The pursuit of many of these coins requires the interested collector to invest significant financial resources into acquiring an honest example.

Fully agree that not many of us are willing to make such an investment.

There are many examples of the classic silver commemorative series available at lower price .... these tend to be the coins selected for 7070 albums .... and I salute the collectors wisdom to select a more affordable coin from this tremendous classic series.

There are also many coins such as this tremendous Gettysburg half dollar in certified MS65 state will set you back at least $700 today ... and that is the 'middle range' for the 50-coin type set in gem MS.

Makes us wish that we were born in the day when we had the foresight to acquire the coins at original issue price.

I have paid over $5K for a single coin in my MS set ... and over $1K for a single coin in my circulated set.

Dedicated pursuit of a complete 50-coin type set is indeed a significant financial investment in today's market.

David

@nickelsearcher: As always, you are too kind with your feedback - but it's much appreciated.


You've made outstanding contributions to the thread from the start. Your outstanding collection of mint state and circulated commemoratives has offered folks a novel and fascinating view into the series - and one not likely available anywhere else. Your input has been a definite highlight! Many Kudos and Thanks!


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