Here's another group of classic-era United States ("US") commemorative coin tidbits...Tidbit #1The Daniel Boone Bicentennial Commission (of Kentucky) organized a "Home Coming" celebration in Boonesborough, Kentucky to commemorate the Boone Bicentennial during the Labor Day holiday in 1934.
To raise the funds needed to stage the event, the Commission urged Kentuckians, in June 1934 (the coin was approved on May 26, 1934), to send the Commission a $1.00 advance reservation for the to-be-struck commemorative half dollar; reservations were to be sent to Frank C. Dunn, Secretary of the Boone Commission. A response/advance sales target of 5,000 was set by the Commission.
Coin proceeds were also to be used to pay the coin's designer and the US Mint for die preparation; ~$1,500 was needed to cover these expenses. If the 5,000 coin sales goal was met, the Commission would have $2,500 to cover its expenses.
Tidbit #2The advance reservation initiative did not generate enough of the funds needed by the Commission as funds were still needed to pay for the artist fees and die preparation in November 1934.
The 'Boone Bicentennial Ball' was held in Lexington, Kentucky on November 2, 1934 - it served as the 'final curtain' for the Daniel Boone Birth Bicentennial celebrations (at least officially). A reception was held at the Executive Mansion and the Ball at the Kentucky State Capitol. The event was hosted by Kentucky Governor Ruby Laffoon and his wife (Mary Bryant Nisbet). The event was open to the public, with 2,000 tickets available for purchase.
The closing event was described as "well attended" and included "notables" from Kentucky and those other States. The Ball helped the Commission raise the funds it needed.
Tidbit #3Minting of the 1934-dated Boone half dollar took place in October 1934 at the Philadelphia Mint. Advance reservations received were reported as the first orders to be filled.
Tidbit #4The official Daniel Boone Birth Bicentennial celebration (in Kentucky) began on June 7, 1934 with a presentation of the Kentucky State Historical Society program "Boone Day" at the old Kentucky State Capitol (Frankfort). Commemorative exercises were held at Fort Boonesborough in late Summer and early Fall. The Ball, held on November 2, 1934 was the celebration's climax.
1934 Daniel Boone Birth Bicentennial Half-Dollar
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more "Historical Tidbits" stories, see:
Commems CollectionIn a similar fashion to these
Tidbits, I previously posted some
Notes about the coin program that might be of interest:
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1934-38 Daniel Boone Birth Bicentennial - Notes-
1934-38 Daniel Boone Birth Bicentennial - Notes #2 
Posted Yesterday 8:49 pm
