Commems Collection Classic: 1936 Elgin, Illinois Centennial - Historical Tidbits

Here are a few tidbits about the 1936 Elgin, Illinois Centennial Half Dollar...


Tidbit #1

Illinois Governor Henry Horner (he served from January 1933 until his death in October 1940) was presented with an example of Trygve Rovelstad's "Pioneer Memorial Medallion" in December 1935; Rovelstad made the presentation.

The medal depicts the heroic figures of the Pioneer Memorial, similar to what is depicted on the half dollar.

Note: The medal was created prior to the commemorative half dollar.


Tidbit #2

When it was introduced in the United States ("US") House of Representatives ("House") in May 1935, the bill for the proposed commemorative half dollar sought a maximum of 10,000 coins.

Contemporary reports regarding the Pioneer Memorial that was to be constructed in Elgin indicated that between $25,000 and $50,000 was needed for the project.

With a mintage of just 10,000, the Issue Price for the coin would have needed to be at least $3.00 to collect the needed funds to be raised - assuming a sell-out and postage costs would have been additional. A $3.00 price point would have been a tough level for collectors at the time.

Note: The coin was not the only Memorial fundraiser.

When it reviewed the coin bill, the House Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures recommended a change to the coin's proposed mintage - a switch from 10,000 to 25,000. Approximately 20,000 of the coins were sold at $1.50 - $1.75 each; approximately 5,000 unsold coins were returned to the Mint to be melted.

Once the face value is deducted, proceeds were approximately $20,000 - short of what was needed and at least partially the reason a bronze casting of the Pioneer Memorial statue was not made until the 1990s when a mix of public funds (city, county and state), along with private donations, finally raised the money needed. The statue was dedicated on November 11, 2001 - some 65 years later than expected. Unfortunately, Rovelstad had died in 1993 and thus did not live long enough to see his creation/statue erected.


Tidbit #3

Artist/sculptor Trygve Rovelstad wore multiple hats in relation to the Elgin, IL Centennial.

He was:

- the artist/sculptor behind the planned Pioneer Memorial statue.
- the designer/sculptor of the Memorial's dedication medal.
- the designer/sculptor of the 1936 Elgin, IL Centennial Half Dollar.
- the Chairman of the Elgin Centennial Monumental Committee - among other things, the coin's sponsor.


Tidbit #4

Sales and distribution of the Elgin half dollar were initially handled by El Paso, Texas coin dealer LW Hoffecker. He self-proposed himself into the role by touting to the Elgin Centennial Monumental Committee his expertise in getting commemorative coin proposals authorized by the US Congress. (Hoffecker had led the efforts for the successful 1935 Old Spanish Trail Half Dollar, but failed to 'bring home' the proposed Gadsden Purchase coin (see What If? 1930 Gadsden Purchase - Hoffecker's Plea).

For more about Hoffecker's promotion of the Elgin, see:

- 1936 Elgin, IL Centennial - Revisited.


1936 Elgin, IL Centennial Half Dollar



For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including other 'Historical Tidbits' stories and more about the Elgin half dollar, see: Commems Collection