A few quick notes about the Oregon Trail Memorial Half Dollar series...
Tidbit #1Ezra Meeker, the main driver behind the efforts to mark and preserve the original Oregon Trail - and the leading advocate for its commemorative half dollar - went to Washington, DC in December 1925 to lobby members of Congress to authorize the Oregon Trail Memorial Half Dollar. He noted that the coin was intended to mark the 75th Anniversary of the "march of pioneers" across the trail.
This is a bit odd for at least three reasons:
1) Pioneers began following the Oregon Trail en masse in 1843 - 83 years before the coin's first release year (1926).
2) The peak year for pioneer migration over the Oregon Trail was 1850 - 76 years before the coin's first release year (1926).
3) Meeker's personal journey over the Trail took place in 1852 - 74 years before the coin's first release year (1926).
But, to paraphrase what I've said for several other classic-era United States ("US") commemorative coins with date confusion..."What's a year or two (or seven) among friends?"
Tidbit #2In September 1926, the Treasury Department reported that it was preparing the Oregon Trail Memorial coin dies in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; production of the first batch of coins was to follow soon thereafter.
The dies were created from models by
Laura Gardin Fraser. The approved designs depict an ox-drawn prairie schooner with a whip-bearing driver for the obverse and a Native American superimposed over a map of North America on the reverse. (These side designations run counter to popular current considerations among collectors and others in the numismatic field.)
Tidbit #3In November 1926, banks in Seattle in conjunction with the local Federation of Women's Clubs launched a four-day coin drive beginning on Monday, November 15th. The drive was supported by area ministers who announced the coin drive the prior day - during Sunday services. The goal of the drive was to support the preservation of the original Oregon Trail.
Similar drives were held across the country.
Tidbit #4The Oregon Trail Memorial Half Dollar was used as a prize for top entries in an Oregon Trail map contest open to school students in Chehalis, Washington in November/December 1926. The contest was sponsored by the Coffman-Dobson Bank & Trust Company, with entries judged on historical accuracy.
The contest awarded coins for 1st Place through 5th Place. The award for 1st Place was an Oregon Trail Memorial half dollar plus $2.50 in cash; 2nd Place earned a coin plus $1.50 in cash; 3rd Place was awarded a coin plus $1.00 in cash; 4th Place was awarded a coin plus 50 cents in cash; and 5th Place earned a coin, but no additional cash. There were also four Honorable Mentions; they did not receive a coin or cash.
The winning entries were displayed in the bank's windows.
1926 Oregon Trail Memorial Half Dollar
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more 'Tidbit' stories, see:
Commems Collection
Posted Today 39M ago
Uncirculated American Silver Eagles 
