Commems Collection Classic: 1935 Old Spanish Trail - Historical Tidbits

A few tidbits from the 'Commems Files' for the 1935 Old Spanish Trail Half Dollar...


Tidbits #1

When he signed the bill that authorized coinage of the 1935 Old Spanish Trail Half Dollar, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt wrote to Lyman William ("LW") Hoffecker (the coin's sponsor/promoter/advocate) to let him know that while he did sign the bill, he did not approve of such special-issue coins being struck by the Mint. He indicated that he signed the coin bill into Law because it had been authorized by Congress and thus had its support.


Tidbits #2

By June 26, 1935, LW Hoffecker reported that he had received 37 mail orders for the coin since it was authorized on June 5, 1935. He noted that the orders varied in the number of coins requested, with several placing orders for 100 coins. The coins were struck in September 1935 and delivered to Hoffecker shortly thereafter.

The issue was reported as "Sold Out" of its authorized limit of 10,000 in early November 1935; its issue price was $2.00 per coin. The quick sell-out sparked controversy among collectors who questioned the sell out's legitimacy.


Tidbits #3

The coin's use of a cow skull as its primary obverse design element was met with much contemporary criticism. Many believed that it was a poor substitute for a depiction of Lady Liberty. - traditionally used on US half dollars I have to wonder if these writers understood the nature of commemorative coins and the significance of the cow's skull and the reason behind its use? (No portraits of Nunez were known to uses ad references.)

Hoffecker defended the design, stating that it was symbolic of the Southwest.


Tidbits #4

Early design concepts for the coin featured an eagle on the reverse rather than the familiar blooming yucca tree. IMO, the yucca tree is much more connected to the coin's theme - it is very common in the American southwest .


Tidbits #5

LW Hoffecker made multiple trips to Washington, DC to promote the Old Spanish Trail half dollar - he did so at his own expense. He also covered the initial costs for die preparation and the purchase of the half dollars from the Mint.


1935 Old Spanish Trail Half Dollar



For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more about the Spanish Trail half dollar, see: Commems Collection