Commems Collection Classic: 1936 Providence, Rhode Island Tercentenary - Draft Designs

I always find it interesting to have a look at rejected coin designs and imagine "What Could Have Been?"

This time out, we'll have a look at the 1936 Providence, RI Tercentenary Half Dollar and some preliminary designs that were prepared by John Benson and Arthur Carey. Each attended the Rhode Island School of Design ("School"). At the time the coin was released, Benson was an instructor of lettering at the School while Carey was working as a professional designer and silversmith.

The Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Tercentenary Committee, Inc. ("Committee") turned to the Rhode Island School of Design ("School") for assistance with the development of its coin's designs. Royal B. Farnum, Director of the School, assigned Benson and Carey to the task. The pair set about on the design task, and developed several models for consideration.

One potential obverse design is very different from what is seen on the struck coin. It presents seven stars - a central star of 12 points surrounded by six six-pointed stars. It was based on an early Town Council of Providence Seal (which, in turn, was based on a 1676 Seal of the Town Council of Portsmouth, RI). The Providence Seal was used between 1724 and 1754. While a design with strong historical ties to the early days of Providence, it would likely have been unfamiliar to the majority of those viewing it; the idea for the design came from the Committee and was in keeping with the coin's authorizing legislation (i.e., Tercentenary of Providence, RI).

Early Providence, RI Seal Design

(Image Credit: US National Archives via An Illustrated History of US Commemorative Coinage.)

From the beginning, the Committee wanted the coin's reverse to feature a version of the State Seal with its anchor and "HOPE" motto.

Preliminary Reverse Design for 1936 Providence, RI Tercentenary Half Dollar

(Image Credit: US National Archives via An Illustrated History of US Commemorative Coinage.)

The Committee eventually moved from its early Providence Seal concept to a later version of the Seal, one that featured the landing of Roger Williams.

Preliminary Obverse Design for 1936 Providence, RI Tercentenary Half Dollar

(Image Credit: US National Archives via An Illustrated History of US Commemorative Coinage.)

Local artists pressured the Committee into opening up the coin design process to a competition vs. its original non-competitive direct commission. Benson and Carey entered the competition and, ultimately, had their designs selected by the Committee. (It's likely the pair were in a prime position to win the competition considering the Committee's familiarity with them from the design work already done.)

So, Benson and Carey were two-time winners in the Rhode Island half dollar design process - selected for a direct commission and open contest winners.

Between the draft models and the struck coin, several notable changes took place within the obverse design. The landing craft was changed from a lapstrake boat (planked boat) to a canoe, Roger WIlliams became the only colonist figure in the boat, the sun, with rays, was added in the background and the outer ring inscription of " IN A SINCE OF GOD'S MERCIFUL PROVIDENCE UNTO ME CALLED THE PLACE PROVIDENCE". (The full Roger Williams quote: "I, in grateful remembrance of God's merciful providence unto me in my distress, called the place PROVIDENCE: I desired it might be a shelter for persons distressed of conscience.") I wonder if the "SINCE" in the model's inscription was meant to be "SENSE" - it makes more sense to me!

The inscriptions on the reverse were also simplified via the removal of the outer ring: "STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS TERCENTENARY".

1936 Providence, RI Tercentenary Half Dollar



For more about the original Seals seen on the half dollar, check out:

- Official Seals On Classic US Commemoratives - Part V


For more about the School of Design, see:

- 1936 Rhode Island Tercentenary - School Of Design


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more on the Rhode Island half dollar, see: Commems Collection.