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 Replies: 11 / Views: 2,539 |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12254 Posts |
Here's a question that will hopefully generate some discussion... Which classic era US commemorative silver coin would have made for an ideal gold issue? To me, a clear missed opportunity was the 1925 California Statehood Diamond Jubilee half dollar. Considering how important the local discovery of gold was to the growth of California and its subsequent admission to the Union on September 9, 1850 (California was the 31st to join), a gold commemorative coin would have made good sense. Granted, the half dollar size provides a much larger "canvas" for an artist's design vs. a gold $1.00 coin, but maybe a $2.50 gold piece would have worked. Thoughts? Which coin do you think should have been gold vs. silver? The California could have looked something like this!  Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
Edited by commems
03/19/2021 9:06 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Agree, one of our best commemorative designs, would be stunning in gold.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
697 Posts |
I looked at my 50 coin Classic Silver Commem Type Set, and no design comes within miles of the California Jubilee you point out. After all, the obverse has a gold miner panning for gold!
Steve
A day without fine wine and working on your coin collection is like a day without sunshine! My collecting "Pride & Joy" is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set: https://www.PCGS.com/setregistry/ty...edset/213996 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3625 Posts |
I sure can't argue with this being the best candidate for a gold commemorative. Picture it, however, as a commemorative double eagle! It's not far removed in time from the Pan-Pac $50.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3323 Posts |
Probably the hands down choice. I suppose my second choice would have to be the Pan-Pac. I think the art nouveau aspects would translate well into gold.
"Nummi rari mira sunt, si sumptus ferre potes." - Christophorus filius Scotiae
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
It would be interesting to see a Double Eagle pattern in silver, and a
Liberty Walking Half in gold.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5822 Posts |
The 2016 Liberty Walking commemorative half has been out few years. But I would love to see that California Jubliee to be minted in gold as commems suggested, not a bad idea to petition to the proper authorities to make it happen.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5661 Posts |
I agree that the California Diamond Jubilee would be the logical choice for a gold coin, and it's definitely a handsome design. But from a purely aesthetic standpoint, I think the Texas centennial would look great in gold.  |
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Moderator
United States
15391 Posts |
No doubt that the 1925 California half would have been a lovely gold addition in a larger format - say double eagle. The intentional design link to California gold rush history sort of make this the obvious choice. Interesting to recall that despite the uniform acclaim today of Joe Mora design, during the coins approval process US coin design luminary James Earle Fraser representing the Commission of Fine Arts called it 'inexperienced and amateurish' and recommended that a better know sculptor redo the coin design to represent a 'bigger sense of what California really is'. Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art |
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Moderator
United States
187702 Posts |
Would have been interesting, even if it put it further down my collection list (no gold for me).
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1613 Posts |
The 1936 San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge would have been nice to see in gold.
ANA member - PAN Member - BCCS Member There are no problems only solutions - the late, great John Lennon
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5238 Posts |
Guys, admit it:
Everything looks better in gold (well, almost everything, as Midas discovered).
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Replies: 11 / Views: 2,539 |
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Posted 03/19/2021 9:37 pm
