Another group of tidbits from the "Commems Files"...Tidbit #1In May 1920, Alabama Governor Thomas Kilby issued a call to the general public for design ideas for the new Alabama half dollar. Stating that submitted designs were to be "commemorative in form," Kilby indicated that all entries would be filed for later reference by the Alabama Department of Archives and History; designs needed to be submitted by May 31, 1920.
Governor Kilby appointed a three-person committee to review the submitted designs and select a winner. The Committee consisted of Marie Bankhead Owen (Mrs. Thomas M. Owen), Director of the Alabama Department of Archives and History (taking over upon the death of her husband in March 1920), served as Chairman, with Dr. Charles A. Stakley and William T. Sheehan as members.
Unfortunately, none of the designs submitted by the public were considered to be reflective of the State's Centennial and thus none were selected for the coin.
The Department of Archives and History went on record at the time as being in favor of a design that featured the Great Seal of Alabama - either the State's first Seal or its then-current Seal.
Tidbit #2In July 1920, the
Alabama Centennial Commission announced its choices for the upcoming Alabama Statehood Centennial Half Dollar: the coin's obverse was to feature a depiction of the Alabama State Capitol (building) - the site of 100+ years of Alabama history - and the reverse was to feature portraits of James Monroe - United States ("US") President at the time Alabama gained Statehood - and Woodrow Wilson, the then-current US President.
The Commission's designs proposal was not accepted. (For more on the topic, see:
Quick Bits #08 - Monroe-Wilson Alabama Half).
Tidbit #3Net proceeds from coin sales were to be used to help mark the final resting places of three former Alabama Governors who rested in unmarked graves: John Murphy (in Thomasville, AL), Israel Pickens (in Greensboro, AL) and Samuel B. Moore (in Carrollton, AL). Also to be marked was St. Stephens (the Alabama Territory capital - 1817-1819). and Huntsville (a temporary capital of Alabama - 1819-1820).
From what I have found, the Centennial Commission did not succeed in its grave marking project; the task was left to others in later years.
Tidbit #4Notice was given by the
Alabama Centennial Commission that the US Commission of Fine Arts had given approval to the Alabama half dollar design in October 1921.
The approved designs were the now-familiar conjoined portraits of the first Alabama Governor William Bibb and the then-current Governor Thomas Kilby. The reverse of the coin was to feature an adaptation of the Alabama State Seal. (The Department of Archives and History got its wish!)
1921 Alabama Statehood Centennial Half Dollar - Plain Variety
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more "Historical Tidbits" stories, see:
Commems Collection 
Posted 02/26/2026 12:51 pm
Uncirculated American Silver Eagles 
