Commems Collection Classic: 1924 Huguenot-Walloon Tercentenary - Revisited #4

Here's another batch of "tidbits" regarding the 1924 Huguenot-Walloon Tercentenary.

1924 Huguenot-Walloon Tercentenary Half Dollar



Tidbit #10

The 1924 Huguenot-Walloon Tercentenary Half Dollar is criticized by some for its religious connections (i.e., a lack of separation between Church and State) as it was sponsored by The Huguenot-Walloon New Netherland Commission which was established by the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America - an association of US Christian denominations that included (among others) the Anglican, Baptist, Calvinism, Eastern Orthodox, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian churches - Roman Catholics were noticeably absent from the roster.

The Commission made no attempts to hide the religious aspects of its planned Tercentenary Celebration. In a booklet published by the Commission leading up to the celebrations, it was noted that "the aim was to keep it national in scope and religious in character." It also stated, "The distinctively religious aspect of the Tercentenary will be observed by 'Huguenot-Walloon Tercentenary Sunday,' April 27th, 1924, which is to be set aside by the Churches of America as a memorial Sunday with special observances appropriate to the occasion."

So, if you've ever thought that folks may have created a strong religious connection for the coin when one didn't truly exist, it might be time to rethink your position.


Tidbit #11

The Commission prepared a report at the end of the 1924 Tercentenary year "with a view solely toward putting into permanent form the record of the Tercentenary Celebrations." (I wish all of the coin sponsors issued a "final report!")

Regarding its coin, the Commission stated:

"Knowing that the Tercentenary exercises themselves must necessarily be local in character and that relatively only a small proportion of the whole population could attend them, the Commission bent its energies to securing such recognition of the historic significance of the anniversary by the U. S. Government as [it] would not only spread the story of the Tercentenary all over the nation but but would result in lasting memorials for all those interested.

"The first of these tangible expressions of tribute to the Walloon pioneers of 1624 was the striking of the Huguenot-Walloon Memorial Half Dollar by the U.S. Treasury Department.

"The memorial coin shows on its obverse side the profiles of two great Huguenot leaders - William the Silent of Holland, and his friend and ally, Admiral Coligny, of France - both of whom were deeply interested in projects for the colonization of the New World. The reverse bears the ship 'Nieu Nederland,' the sturdy Dutch vessel which carried the first boatload of Huguenot-Walloons from their refuge in the Netherlands on that memorable voyage across the as yet little known and much feared ocean."


Tidbit #12

The Commission had an illustrious roster of Honorary Chairmen, one from each of the countries involved in the Tercentenary:

- Calvin Coolidge, US President (assumed role after death of President Warren Harding)
- Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands
- Albert I, King of the Belgians
- Alexandre Millerand, President of the French Republic

Now that's a "Top Shelf" roster!


For my previous posts of Huguenot-Walloon Half Dollar Tidbits, see

- 1924 Huguenot-Walloon Tercentenary - Revisited
- 1924 Huguenot-Walloon Tercentenary - Revisited #2
- 1924 Huguenot-Walloon Tercentenary - Revisited #3


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including other Huguenot-Walloon half dollar stories, see: Commems Collection.