Commems Collection Classic: 1936 Norfolk, VA Bicentennial/Tricentennial - Hoffecker?

I've previously discussed Lyman William ("LW") Hoffecker and his connection to the 1935 Old Spanish Trail Half Dollar, the 1936 Elgin, Illinois Centennial Half Dollar and the Herbert-Hoover-vetoed 1930 Gadsden Purchase Half Dollar, but now present the story of his potential involvement in the 1936 Norfolk, Virginia Bicentennial/Tricentennial Half Dollar.

Seeking to involve himself in commemorative coin distribution whenever possible, El Paso, Texas coin dealer LW Hoffecker wrote to Major Francis E. Turin, Manager of the Norfolk Advertising Board - the Norfolk coin's sponsor - to offer his services to the Board regarding getting the coin bill passed along with its subsequent promotion and distribution.

Hoffecker's past coin legislation experience and connection to the American Numismatic Association (" ANA") - he was then the ANA Legislative Committee Chairman and had testified in Congress regarding US commemorative coinage (he would also serve as a future ANA President from 1939 to 1941) could be of benefit to the Norfolk group. For his efforts, Hoffecker was to charge 15% of the coin sale proceeds.

Note: Hoffecker proactively wrote to the Norfolk Advertising Board prior to the Norfolk half dollar bill being authorized by the United States ("US") Congress.

The members of the Norfolk Advertising Board discussed Hoffecker's offer/proposal, but ultimately decided to move forward independently.

The Norfolk half dollar bill's journey through Congress did not follow the shortest path - see Commems Collection for stories of its medal vs. coin issues.

Would have engaging Hoffecker been of benefit to the Norfolk Advertising Board? It's difficult to say at this point, but if the medal vs. coin issue had been avoided, the Board would likely have been able to initiate coin sales earlier, potentially achieved a higher sales volume and might not have had to return thousands of coins (>8,000) to the Mint to be melted. These (or other) alternate scenarios might have more than paid for Hoffecker's 15% charge! Ah, What If?

1936 Norfolk, VA Bicentennial / Tricentennial Half Dollar



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