Commems Collection Classic: 1935 Connecticut Tercentenary - Was The Charter Oak Design Appropriate?

11,000 posts! Who would've thunk it?

I've written before about the selection of 1935 as Connecticut's Tercentenary Year - you can read it here: 1935 Connecticut Tercentenary - Was 1935 The Obvious Choice?.

Time to return to the Connecticut Tercentenary Half Dollar and ask: "Was the Charter Oak the most appropriate design choice?"

1935 Connecticut Tercentenary Half Dollar


There's no doubt that the "Charter Oak" is an iconic part of Connecticut's history, so it's not much of a surprise that it was selected for the obverse of the State's commemorative half dollar. The thing is, the hiding of Connecticut's Charter in the Charter Oak to keep it safe from the British who were coming to confiscate it, was not a part of Connecticut's founding days - the target of its tercentenary celebrations. The Charter Oak episode took place in 1662, more than two decades after Connecticut's earliest European settlements came together to form a government.

IMO, a more compelling case can be made for a design with a theme of Connecticut's Fundamental Orders. "Adopted in January 1639, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut stated the powers and limits of government." (www.connecticuthistory.org) The Orders framed the government of the Connecticut Colony and established a government that placed ultimate control in the hands of its people. The Orders served as a model for many future State Constitutions as well as the US Constitution.

So, even though the Orders were adopted a few years after 1635 - the designated Founding Year for Connecticut - it is much more closely associated with its founding than is the Charter Oak. That said, I do understand how the romanticized events handed down in the story of the "Charter Oak" create a compelling theme for a group looking to maximize sales of its souvenir piece!

Franklin Mint Connecticut Bicenetennial Medal - Silver Proof


The Franklin Mint (FM) produced Bronze and Silver sets of the Official Bicentennial Medals of the Original 13 States. I also have several higher-relief sets struck by Medallic Art Company (MACO). I like 'em all!

What do you think about the theme of the Connecticut half dollar?


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more stories about the Connecticutt Tercentenary half dollar, see: Commems Collection.