Days Of Classic US Commemorative Coins

Great stuff everyone! I'm definitely enjoying the range of visual aesthetics being shown by all the contributions thus far!



All I'm missing is some sleep!

My type set does not distinguish between the two Alabama offerings ... hence I'll show my MS example tomorrow during the 2x2 day.

1921 Alabama Centennial Half Dollar - PCGS VF30

Have been searching for a long time for a nice downgrade.



Notwithstanding my many years of trying to downgrade this example ... circulated Alabama in the VF/XF range are available with some regularity. I can usually find at least one at every major show. PCGS has certified 89 Alabama (both varieties combined) at XF or lower.

Truly lowball examples are tough. The current lowball is FR02.

David

Day Nine: 1921 Alabama Centennial - 2x2

Note: Updates to "Plain" variety text from yesterday are highlighted in blue.

Why issued?

1) To mark the 100th anniversary of Alabama being admitted into the Union; Alabama was the 22nd State.
2) To help raise funds for the Alabama Centennial Commission to support its plans for the State's centennial celebrations.

Design // Designer

Obverse:. Conjoined portraits of the circa-1921 Governor of Alabama, George Kilby, along with Governor William Wyatt Bibb, Alabama's first governor. To create a second variety of the coin, an incuse "2x2" was added to the field to the right of the portraits; it reinforces the 22 stars already included in the design - they each symbolize Alabama's status as the 22nd State to join the Union. // Laura Gardin Fraser

Reverse: The Seal of the State of Alabama (the version in use at the time the coin was issued; the Seal was changed to a map design in 1939). The Seal features an American (Bald) Eagle, with wings elevated, perched on a US Shield. The eagle is seen grasping four arrows in its talons and holds a banner in its beak upon which is written "Here We Rest" (the Alabama State Motto). // Laura Gardin Fraser

Note: Fraser prepared the models for the coin based on the design sketches provided by the Alabama Centennial Commission.

Net Mintage:

1921: 5,000

Quick Facts: The Alabama half dollar was the first US commemorative to play "fast and loose" with the date being commemorated. The Alabama statehood centennial took place in 1919, the coin was authorized in 1920 and was struck in 1921 - two years after the centennial!

Here's a link to one of my prior posts about the Alabama Centennial (2x2) half dollar:
https://goccf.com/t/115032

Here's my 1921 Alabama 2x2 coin. It's a lustrous MS-65 piece that nicely matches my "Plain" coin.

This is exactly what I hoped you would do. Well done!

Day Ten: 1921 Missouri - Plain

Why issued?

1) To mark the 100th anniversary of Missouri being admitted into the Union; Missouri was the 24th State.
2) To help raise funds for the Missouri Centennial Committee to support its plans for the State's planned centennial celebrations.

Design // Designer

Obverse:. A portrait of a frontiersman meant to represent Daniel Boone; he is wearing a coonskin hat and deerskin coat. // Robert L. Aitken

Reverse: A standing Boone holding a rifle in his right hand in consult with a Native American who is wearing a war bonnet and holding a shield. 24 stars are seen in the lower half of the design; they represents Missouri's status as the 24th State. // Robert L. Aitken

Net Mintage:

1921: 15,400

Quick Facts: Robert Aiken also designed the 1915 Panama-Pacific $50 gold and 1935 San Diego half dollar commemoratives.

Here's a link to one of my prior posts about the Missouri Centennial (Plain) half dollar:www.coincommunity.com/forum/...PIC_ID=117264

Here's my 1921 Missouri. It's a nice MS-64 example with good luster and the slightest hint of golden color. One day it will likely be upgraded, but I haven't been in any rush to do so as I very much like the present coin.

PCGS AG3

The 'medal-like' appearance of this coin makes it one of my visual favorites in the set.

1921 Missouri Centennial Half Dollar - PCGS MS65/CAC



Photo taken alas before I learned about white balance adjustments for my camera. In hand blast white and fully lustrous example.

1921 Missouri Centennial - PCGS AG03

The most recent downgrade for my circulated type set.



This coin is very attractive in well circulated state ...

PCGS has certified 44 Missouri (both varieties combined)at XF or lower. Examples (certified and raw) appear on the market with enough frequency that obtaining one is a matter of price rather than availability.

David