Days Of Classic US Commemorative Coins

Regarding the financial aspects of collecting the classic commemorative series...

I agree, when taken as a whole, it is not the most budget-friendly series out there. Fortunately, there are quite a number of historically important individual coins that are fairly reasonable in price - even for nice mint state examples.

I would say, however, that assembling a complete commemorative type set is no more expensive than putting together a nice set of one of its contemporary coins series - Standing Liberty quarters, Liberty Head ("Mercury") dimes, Walking Liberty half dollars, Peace dollars, etc.

If you want to assemble a complete set of any of those silver series in MS-65, you will need to prepare yourself for a high five-figure (or six-figure) expenditure.

A key reason for me to pursue the commemorative series (other than my enjoyment of history) is the fact that a completed set offers a level of design variety seen by no other US series. I'm a collector who gets "bored" looking at the same coin over and over again - save for a date/mintmark change. I appreciate the effort and tenacity it takes to build such sets, but it's just not for me.

This is a silver black cabinet... with the right weight and diameter. Paid $20....just wanted to study it.

Day Fifty-One: 1936 Norfolk, VA Bicentennial

Why issued?

1) To commemorate the 300th anniversary of the original Norfolk (Virginia) land grant.
2) To commemorate the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the City of Norfolk, Virginia.
3) To help the Norfolk Advertising Board, Inc., in association with the Norfolk Association of Commerce, raise funds to support their planned anniversary celebrations.


Design // Designer

Obverse:. A three-mast sailing ship, a plow and three sheaves of wheat all surrounded by three concentric rings of commemorative inscriptions; the design was based on the City of Norfolk Seal. The obverse commemorates Norfolk's Borough status bicentennial. // William Marks Simpson & Marjorie Emory Simpson

Reverse: The Royal Mace of Norfolk plus inscriptions. The Royal Mace is a link to the original Land Grant of 1636. The reverse is the tercentennial side. // William Marks Simpson & Marjorie Emory Simpson


Net Mintage:

16,923

Original Selling Price:

$1.50 (local); $1.65 (mail)


Quick Fact:

A commemorative medal was initially authorized by Congress for Norfolk (a preferred national commemorative piece for local events such as this) but it was later "upgraded" to a half-dollar after intense lobbying efforts by the sponsoring Norfolk Advertising Board.


Here's a link to one of my prior posts about the "Norfolk" half dollar:
https://goccf.com/t/140363

For a look at the original distribution holder for the coin, check out my post about them here: https://goccf.com/t/116267


My coin is a flashy, brilliant example with gorgeous cartwheel luster. Note: This is one of the easiest classic commemoratives to find in high mint state grades.

Freed from an MS 65 rattler it now resides in the album with the others. Five more for the complete type set.

Day Fifty-Two: 1937 Roanoke Colony

Why issued?

1) To commemorate the 350th anniversary of Sir Walter Raleigh's colony on Roanoke Island, North Carolina - known in history as the "Lost Colony."
2) To commemorate the 350th anniversary of the birth of Virginia Dare, the first child of English parentage to be born on the American continent.
3) To help the Roanoke Colony Memorial Association raise funds to support their planned anniversary celebrations.


Design // Designer

Obverse:. A left-facing portrait of Sir Walter Raleigh, the sponsor of the ill-fated colonization attempt. // William Marks Simpson

Reverse: A standing Eleanor Dare holding the infant Virginia; she is flanked by two English sailing ships representative of those that brought the early settlers to the attempted colony. // William Marks Simpson


Net Mintage:

29,000

Original Selling Price:

$1.65


Quick Facts:

A topic of frequent discussion regarding this coin is the spelling selected for Sir Walter Raleigh's last name. Researchers have found more than 70 spelling variations of Raleigh's name in documents created during his lifetime (~1552-1618). This is not unusual, however, because spelling had not yet been standardized at the time. It is believed, however, that Sir Walter preferred to spell his name "Ralegh" and that he never signed it "Raleigh."

Simpson's original models for the coin had his name spelled "Ralegh" but the Commission of Fine Arts insisted on the "Raleigh" spelling as it was the more familiar and accepted version. So, the coin issued in his honor was struck with a spelling Sir Walter never himself used for his own name!


For a look at the original distribution holder for the coin, check out my post about them here:https://goccf.com/t/119876


My coin is a brilliant, fully lustrous example with great eye appeal.






I've also included here the lone circulated commemorative in my collection, it is an attractive XF-45 coin. Our own nickelsearcher was kind enough to reach out to me about it after he had downgraded to a more circulated example. I had liked the look of his XF coin from the first time he had posted about it and had silently wondered if he would ever "set it free." When it came available, I was happy to exchange "mere money" for a coin with such a distinguished pedigree!

This is a bright lustrous coin.

One of three classic silver commemorative specifically relating to the USA Civil War ... the other two of course being the 1925 Stone Mountain and the 1936 Gettysburg issues.

Those three coins would IMHO make an excellent trifecta of classic commemorative for a collector interested in a short-set of significant historical importance - yet alone the artistic merit of each example.

The Antietam half is also one of the few coins in the series with an actual date appearing on the issue - in this case September 17, 1862 on the reverse below William Marks Simpson rendering of the Burnside Bridge.

That specific date, of course, was when the life-costly fighting at the bridge occurred.

1937 Battle of Antietam Anniversary Half Dollar - PCGS MS67/CAC



This is the most visually stunning 'eye appeal' example in my 50-coin type set. Apologies given as needed to many other nice MS coins in the set.

My poor digital photographs in no way convey the aesthetic power of this coin ... it truly appears today in hand just as it landed from the mint press in 1937.

Glowing blast white - hammered strike and the most amazing lustrous glow I have ever experienced on a classic silver commemorative. I remain somewhat amazed that it certified at 'only' MS67 when I submitted it raw.

The coin brings me tremendous joy every time I view it ... the visual beauty of the coin coupled with the artistic rendering of such a significant event in USA history combine to make this my favorite in the MS set.

1937 Battle of Antietam Anniversary Half Dollar - PCGS VF35



Nice circulated contrast to the tremendous MS coin - in this case likely a pocket piece as evidenced by the uniform color surfaces and lack of circulation toning.

Wondering if the original owner acquired this in 1937 for $1.65 and carried it?

Today the Antietam half dollar is treasured in all grades ... modern collectors interested in obtaining an honestly circulated example will be challenged to do so.

PCGS has certified 8 Antietam half below AU - with the current lowball being a stunning VG10 example.

The Burnside Bridge Today


I've made occasional trips to the Antietam battlefield ... during my most recent visit in 2012 I snapped this photograph of the Burnside Bridge ... attempting to come close to Mr. Simpson perspective as memorialized on the coin.



Quite a humbling experience to be standing there quietly - creek flowing by and birds singing - and ponder for yourself the significance that on September 17, 1862 so many Americans died where I was standing.

I recall posting a thread in this forum on my 2012 Antietam experience - lost track of it ... but it can be found if one knows how to use the forum search feature.

Such is the one of the many joys of collecting the classic commemorative series ... allowing us to reflect today on what occurred long ago in our Nations history.

David

This is the coin I have been patiently waiting to see in this thread....I didn't search for other posts on this coin as I didn't want to spoil the moment of surprise. I have seen it in pictures and I always thought the reverse shows a great depiction of a bridge/monument.

Seeing those examples in MS65 and 67, it's even better looking than I thought. You can even see ripples of water and the shadow of the bridge reflecting on the water.

This is what makes this series so fascinating and unique.... the incredible design, history etc. They do not make coins like this anymore. The modern commems do not have the same appeal as the classic ones.

For sure one day, I will have this coin in my collection....hopefully one of those MS65/67.

It's too bad there are only 3 coins commemorating the civil war and too bad they did not restart the series in 1961 to commemorate the centenary....there could have more great coins.

Again, Thank you all for those incredible pictures in this thread. They surely have helped me appreciate this series even more.