commems's Last 20 Posts
| Commems Collection Classic: Quick Bits 136 - A Capital Connection
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commems
CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
11186 Posts |
 Posted Yesterday 07:54 am
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There were 10 cities that were honored with a commemorative coin during the classic era (Quick Bits #57 - City Commemorative Coins) - three of them are the capital of their respective State: Albany, NY / Columbia, SC / Providence, RI.
In 1936, a half dollar was struck to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the city of Albany, New York receiving its charter (July 22, 1686). Albany became the permanent capital of New York in 1797. Before being formally designated as New York's capital and the site of State Government, the State Legislature had met in Kingston (1777), Poughkeepsie (1778-1785) and then alternated between New York City and Albany.
Albany's more central location within the State was a significant factor in the decision to make it the permanent State Capital.
1936 Albany, NY Charter 250th Anniversay
 
The 1936 Columbia, SC Sesquicentennial half dollar was minted in commemoration of the sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary of the founding of the city of Columbia, South Carolina. Columbia was created to host the State Capital and Government - it was designed city. It was created by the South Carolina State Legislature in 1786 while it met in Charleston - South Carolina's first capital.
As with Albany, NY, Columbia's site is more centrally-located within SC - the primary reason for its selection.
1936 Columbia, SC Sesquicentennial
 
In January 1936, a bill calling for the minting of 50-cent coins "in commemoration of the three hundredth anniversary of the founding of the city of Providence, Rhode Island." was introduced in the US Senate. Though the resultant coin is commonly referred to as the "Rhode Island," its authorizing legislation clearly calls out the City of Providence which became Rhode Island's permanent capital in 1900. Prior to this official designation, the Rhode Island State Government met in the State's County Seats on a rotating basis. In 1854, Newport and Providence were designated as co-Capitals - this continued until 1900 when Providence was named the State's sole Capital.
1936 Providence, RI Tercentenary
 
So, there they are, three State Capitals honored on three US commemorative half dollars. The "Capital-ness" of the Albany, NY and Providence, RI coins may not have been the primary reason behind their issue - unlike the Columbia, SC coin - but the fact that each was its State Capital at the time the commemorative coin was issued can't be denied and hence the "connection"!
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including other stories about each of the half dollars presented here, see: Commems Collection.
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| | Forum: US Commemoratives and Non-Circulating Coinage (NCLT) Including Grading, Varieties, and Errors |
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| Commems Collection Currency: Bahamas 50 Cents Notes
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commems
CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
11186 Posts |
Posted 04/15/2025 10:53 am
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Wrap-Up
I enjoyed assembling this set of Half Dollar notes from The Bahamas, and look forward to possibly adding a new note in the future (A new $1 note was issued recently, so maybe...). I like the unusual denomination of the notes, I like the fact the series is a short one that features attractive notes, I like that there are no "budget busters" in the series and I like its links to my existing collection of Bahamas One Dollar notes.
On a "fiscal" note, the Bahamas currency is officially pegged to that of the United States on a one-to-one basis - $1 Bahamian = $1 US - at least on the islands! (You're likely to experience a lower exchange rate if you convert stateside, however.) US notes are widely accepted by merchants in the Bahamas, though the issues of the Central Bank are the nation's official currency.
If you're looking for an attractive but inexpensive World currency project, the Bahamas Fifty Cents notes might just fit the bill! (Bad pun intentional!  )
If you enjoyed this e-exhibit of the "Fifty Cents" notes of The Bahamas, you might also enjoy my e-exhibit on Bahamas $1.00 notes.
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| | Forum: World Paper Money and Banknotes |
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| Commems Collection Modern: What If? 2013 Marine Corps Aviation
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commems
CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
11186 Posts |
Posted 04/15/2025 07:44 am
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Considering the current availability of coins from the 2025 250th Anniversary of the US Marine Corps commemorative coin program, this What If? seems timely.
Current Emblem of Marine Corps Aviation
In December 2010, during the Second Session of the 111th Congress, Jim Webb (D-VA) introduced a one-coin commemorative coin bill in the Senate that called for the minting of coins "in commemoration of the Centennial of Marine Corps Aviation, and to support construction of the Marine Corps Heritage Center." Upon its introduction, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
The bill included a "Findings" section that provided context for Webb's request:
Congress finds that--
(1) the year 2012 is the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Marine Corps Aviation;
(2) Marine Corps Aviation's value to the individual Marine and the Marine Corps as a whole has centered on a number of long-established and essential hallmark qualities;
(3) such essential qualities, including adaptability, agility, and being of one mind, have been seen during past campaign successes, are witnessed during today's combat operations, and are key planning factors for future aircraft and aviation capabilities;
(4) Marine Corps Aviation, as an essential element of the Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force, is critical to the continuing success of our Nation's expeditionary "Force in Readiness";
(5) in 2001, the Congress authorized the construction of the Marine Corps Heritage Center, the purpose of which is to provide a multipurpose facility to be used for historical displays for the public viewing, curation, and storage of artifacts, research facilities, classrooms, offices, and associated activities, consistent with the mission of the Marine Corps;
(6) the initial portion of the Marine Corps Heritage Center opened on November 10, 2006;
(7) the United States should pay tribute to the Marine Corps Aviation Centennial and to the United States Marine Corps, by minting and issuing a commemorative $10 gold coin; and
(8) the surcharge proceeds from the sale of a commemorative coin, which would have no net costs to the taxpayers, would raise valuable funding for the continuing construction of the Marine Corps Heritage Center.
Note: Marine Corps Aviation predates the US Army Air Service which was established in 1918 during World War I.
You may have noticed via Finding #7, that the bill requested a Gold $10 (Eagle) vs. the more typical modern US commemorative coin request of a Gold $5 (Half Eagle). The curious nature of the atypical request was compounded by the coin weight specified - 8.359 grams - and the diameter specified - 0.850 inches. Such specifications match those of a modern US commemorative Gold Half Eagle not those of a Gold Eagle. Was it a mistake or was Senator Webb looking to create a "small and light" Gold Eagle? The bill didn't progress far enough, however, for resolution of such a disparity to be considered.
The design of the gold coin was to "be emblematic of the warrior ethos of the United States Marine Corps" and bear the date "2013". (I think it would have been interesting to see how artists interpreted the "warrior ethos.")
The issue price of each coin was to carry a $35 surcharge, with collected surcharge funds to be paid to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation "for the purposes of construction of the Marine Corps Heritage Center, as authorized by section 1 of Public Law 106-398 (114 Stat. 1654)." If "Marine Corps Heritage Center" sounds familiar, it's likely because the same sponsor/beneficiary was named in the Act that authorized the 2005 Marine Corps 230th Anniversary Silver Dollar and the Act that authorized the 2025 Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Gold, Silver and Copper-Nickel Clad coin program. (The US Marine Corps is definitely focused! And that's a good thing!)
As the bill called for up to 100,000 coins, a sell-out would have produced $3.5 million in surcharge funds for the Heritage Center.
The bill did not fair well, however, as it was never reported out of Committee and died for lack of action when the 111th Congress adjourned.
In the 112th Congress, John Kline (R-MN) introduced essentially the same bill in the House of Representatives. It included the same odd coin specifications as Webb's bill, and duplicated the previous bill's "Findings" and sponsor/beneficiary designations. The only change from Webb's bill was a change to the issue year from 2013 to 2015.
The bill was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services, with a further referral to its Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology. Kline's bill suffered the same fate as Webb's bill, and was never reported out of Committee; it became only a memory with the adjournment of the 112th Congress.
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more What If? commemorative coin stories, see: Commems Collection.
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| | Forum: US Commemoratives and Non-Circulating Coinage (NCLT) Including Grading, Varieties, and Errors |
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| Commems Collection Modern: 2004 Lewis And Clark Bicentennial - Coin Details
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commems
CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
11186 Posts |
Posted 04/14/2025 09:53 am
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Quote:
In a similar vein - wondering (asking) if you can present the data on the commemoratives that had the most percentage of authorized actually minted and distributed?
Here's a quick look at the Top 10 "successful" coin issues from the modern US commemorative coin series. Note how the 2004 Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar just "sneaks in" at #10! (All are Silver Dollars except for the Baseball Gold Half Eagle / $5.)
Note 1: The authorized mintage for the Marine Corps silver dollar was originally 500,000, but was increased, via Congressional authorization, to 600,000 due to its popularity.
Note 2: The 2006 Benjamin Franklin coin program features two silver dollars. The figures shown represent the total between the two as the program-enacting legislation did not define mintage limits individually.
Note 3: The sales and distribution of the Gold Half Eagle of the 2014 National Baseball Hall of Fame coin program exceeded the authorized limit. In 2015, the Treasury Department confirmed the small overage error; excess coins were NOT recalled.
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| | Forum: US Commemoratives and Non-Circulating Coinage (NCLT) Including Grading, Varieties, and Errors |
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| Commems Collection Currency: Bahamas 50 Cents Notes
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commems
CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
11186 Posts |
Posted 04/14/2025 08:38 am
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Central Bank of the Bahamas Logo
The Central Bank of the Bahamas was created in 1974 via the Central Bank of the Bahamas Act. Its objectives are to manage, maintain and supervise the monetary system of The Bahamas (e.g., currency, credit, payment systems, etc.).
The primary design element of the bank's adopted logo is the Sand Dollar - a flat sea urchin that burrows into sandy areas below the water. "Sand Dollar" is also the name of the Bahamas digital currency which the Central Bank is developing with the intent of it replacing the majority of local cash transactions.
Central Bank of the Bahamas Logo
(Image Credit: Central Bank of the Bahamas.))
The Central Bank's Sand Dollar logo has been incorporated into the nation's currency, including on the 50 Cents notes it has issued.
On the Series 1984 notes, it can be found on the Front in an upper left position near the image of the basketworks, and on the Back in the upper right adjacent to the Bahamas Coat-of-Arms.
Central Bank of the Bahamas Logo - Series 1984 - Front
 
On the Series 2001 notes, it can be found in the same Front and Back positions as on the Series 1984 notes.
Central Bank of the Bahamas Logo - Series 2001 - Front
 
On the Series 2019 notes, the logo was moved to the lower left on the Front of the redesigned note. On the Back, it is found in an upper right position. The logo's appearnace was updated to include diagonal lines as an aid to preventing counterfeiting.
Central Bank of the Bahamas Logo - Series 2019 - Front
 
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| | Forum: World Paper Money and Banknotes |
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| Commems Collection Currency: Bahamas 50 Cents Notes
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commems
CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
11186 Posts |
Posted 04/13/2025 08:55 am
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CRISP $0.50 Note Brochure from Central Bank of Bahamas
The CRISP (Counterfeit Resistant Integrated Security Protocol) was introduced via the Bahamas' $10 note in 2005; each denomination has its own set of distinct CRISP features and first appeared on the $0.50 denomination via the Series 2019 note. One of the technology's primary goals was to prevent counterfeiters from taking a lower denomination note and making it a higher denomination (e.g., a $0.50 note converted into a $5 or $50).
The Central Bank of the Bahamas printed a brochure about the new note at the time of its release to help Bahamians better understand the features of the new notes and to help them identify what would be seen on a genuine note.
A downloadable PDF file of the brochure can be found here: THE HALF DOLLAR BANKNOTE
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| | Forum: World Paper Money and Banknotes |
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| New ASE Privy Mark For Sale
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commems
CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
11186 Posts |
Posted 04/12/2025 11:25 am
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The "40" mark strikes me (no pun intended) as a counter-stamp vs. a privy mark. I believe the modern bullion coins from the national mints of the US, Canada, Australia, etc. have their special marks engraved into the dies and are struck as part of the design (in relief) vs. being stamped into the coin's surface after minting - at least that's the case for the ones I have.
(I could be wrong, just my initial impressions from the images provided.)
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| | Forum: US Commemoratives and Non-Circulating Coinage (NCLT) Including Grading, Varieties, and Errors |
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| Commems Collection Modern: 2004 Lewis And Clark Bicentennial - Coin Details
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commems
CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
11186 Posts |
Posted 04/12/2025 07:31 am
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With the review of the legal journey of the 2004 Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar completed, it's time to have a look at the coin that resulted.
If you haven't yet read the coin's path through the US Congress, you can check things out here:
- 2004 Lewis and Clark Bicentennial - 105th Congress
- 2004 Lewis and Clark Bicentennial - 106th Congress
The 2004 Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar (SD) was issued to help commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition through the Louisiana Territory and the Pacific Northwest; the Expedition took place from 1804 to 1806. The Expedition was commissioned by US President Thomas Jefferson with the aim of exploring and mapping the lands acquired via the Louisiana Purchase (from France), developing potential trade routes and initiating friendly relations with Native Americans across the region.
The obverse of the attractive silver dollar depicts the explorers standing together beside a stream/river; Lewis is seen pointing into the distance and Clark is depicted holding his rifle. A river bank and forest are seen in the background.
On the reverse is seen a pair of feathers meant to represent the Native Americans encountered during the L&C Expedition along with the reverse design of the "Indian Peace Medal" that was used during Thomas Jefferson's administration. The original silver medals were given to Native American chiefs and other important representatives by those representing the US Government as a token of friendship and peace. The 17 stars included on the reverse are symbolic of the 17 States that were part of the Union when the L&C Expedition launched in May 1804.
Note 1: The current States in the Union at launch of Expedition: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Ohio, Tennesee, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont and Kentucky.
Note 2: There were 15 States ultimately formed from the Louisiana Territory (in alphabetical order): Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma, along with parts of Colorado, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming.
2004 Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar
The Lewis and Clark Silver Dollar obverse and reverse designs (and sculpted models) were the work of Donna Weaver - a Designer within the Mint's Artistic Infusion Program. Ms. Weaver designed and/or sculpted over 90 coins and medals while working with the Mint; she retired in 2006.
The SD was available in Proof and Uncirculated, and was sold in a variety of packaging options: Individual coin, Coin & Currency Set and Coin & Pouch Sets (subject of a future post)
The coin had a maximum authorized mintage of 500,000 across all options; it reached total sales of 494,004 units - 98.8% of coins available! The sales breakdown was as follows: Individual Proof: 284,884; Individual Uncirculated: 92,081; Coin & Currency Set (Uncirculated SD, 50,000 Limit): 49,934 (Sold out in six days!); Coin & Pouch Set (Proof SD, 50,000 Limit): 48,835 (Sell Out). An additional 18,270 Proof SDs were sold via Bulk Sales (e.g., purchased sans packaging for use in privately-produced souvenir packages/sets).
The Proof version had a Pre-Issue Price of $35.00 and a Regular Price of $39.00. The Uncirculated version was priced at $33.00 and $35.00, respectively. The Coin & Currency Set sold for $90 at the time of its issue; the Coin & Pouch Sets had an Issue Price of $120 ($80 assigned value for Pouch).
For me, the 2004 Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar checks the key boxes for me: Attractive Designs? - Yes!, Historically Accurate Designs? - Yes! and Nationally/Historically Significant? - Yes!
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, see: Commems Collection.
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| | Forum: US Commemoratives and Non-Circulating Coinage (NCLT) Including Grading, Varieties, and Errors |
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| Commems Collection Modern: 2004 Lewis And Clark Bicentennial - 106th Congress
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commems
CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
11186 Posts |
Posted 04/11/2025 07:47 am
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The pre-cursor activities of Congress to the events described in this post can be found here: 2004 Lewis and Clark Bicentennial - 105th Congress
Representative Doug Bereuter (R-NE) re-introduced his Lewis and Clark Bicentennial coin bill during the opening days of the First Session of the 106th Congress (January 1999). The bill essentially duplicated the language of the bill he introduced in the previous Congress, continuing the request for a two-coin program (Silver Dollar - 200,000 and Silver Half Dollar - 200,000).
Bereuter did clean up the "date issue" of the his previous coin bill. The new bill's language specified that "2004" was to appear on the coins, in addition to the "1804-1806" dual date. Also, the time period for striking authorization was updated to 2004 (from the previous 2003).
Upon introduction, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Banking and Financial Service, with a further referral to its Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy. The bill, however, was not reported out of Committee.
Seeing no action on his coin bill, Bereuter introduced an updated version of his bill in March 1999 - it was then a one-coin bill. The new bill dropped the Silver Half Dollar and increased the requested mintage for the Silver Dollar from 200,000 to 500,000. The "2004" provisions discussed above continued to be included.
As with the bill introduced in the 105th Congress, the new bill was referred to the House Committee on Banking and Financial Services, with a further referral to its Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy. Before the Committee/Subcommittee could report on the bill, Representative Bereuter moved to suspend the rules and pass it.
During his remarks regarding the bill, Bereuter noted that the Citizens Coin
Advisory Committee (a Committee authorized by Congress) recommended in its 1997 Report, that the Lewis and Clark Expedition be commemorated with a coin and that his bill responded to such recommendation.
The House subsequently passed the bill and sent it on to the Senate. In the Senate, however, it was not acted upon beyond referral to the Senate Committee on Banking.
As in the 105th Congress, Senator Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND) introduced a companion one-coin Lewis and Clark bill in the Senate. It fared no better than Bereuter's bill.
In November 1999, James A. Leach (R-IA) introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that called for commemorative coin programs for the Leif Ericsson Millennium, the Capitol Visitors Centerand the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial. The three-coin program bill was referred to the House Committee on Banking and Financial Services.
Immediately following the referral, Representative Leach moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. The motion carried, and the House immediately considered the bill. After hearing words of support from several Representatives - including Leach - the House passed the three-coin bill and sent it on to the Senate. The Senate passed the bill without issue via Unanimous Consent. US President William "Bill" Clinton signed the bill into law on December 6, 1999.
Note: The Lewis and Clark Bicentennial coin language incorporated into the Leach bill had the same "Findings", coin provisions and sponsor/beneficiaries as Bereuter's standalone bills.
Though they would have to wait several years, collectors were finally assured of getting Lewis and Clark Bicentennial silver dollars!
2004 Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Silver Dollar
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, see: Commems Collection.
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| | Forum: US Commemoratives and Non-Circulating Coinage (NCLT) Including Grading, Varieties, and Errors |
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