Commems Collection Classic: Quick Bits #82 - Celebrating The 1400s/1500s

I previously took a look at the classic-era US commemorative coins that celebrated events from the 1600s - you can read it here: Quick Bits #76 - Celebrating the 1600s. I've decided to return to the theme and take a quick look at each of the other centuries covered by the series.

I'll begin at the beginning and explore the coins that mark events from the 1400s and 1500s.


1892-93 World's Columbian Exposition - Christopher Columbus Half Dollar

The 1892-93 Columbus Half Dollar was struck "for the purpose of aiding in defraying the cost of completing in a suitable manner the work of preparation for inaugurating the World's Columbian Exposition." The Exposition was staged to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus' 1492 voyage to the New World. A maximum of 5,000,000 coins were specified by the coin's Act. With the striking of the 1892-dated coin, the US commemorative coin series was born!




1893 World's Columbian Exposition - Queen Isabella Quarter Dollar

The 1893 Isabella Quarter Dollar was struck to support the activities of the Board of Lady Managers at the World's Columbian Exposition. Congress authorized up to 40,000 of the coins as part of a $93,190 appropriation for the Board. The coin was the first commemorative quarter issued by the US.




1935 Old Spanish Trail 400th Anniversary

The 1935 Spanish Trail Half Dollar was authorized to help "indicate the interest of the Government of the United States in commemorating the four hundredth anniversary of the Expedition of Cabeza de Vaca and the opening of the Old Spanish Trail" in 1535. (I've discussed the historical inaccuracies associated with such an anniversary in previous posts. Check out Commems Collection for links.)




1937 Roanoke Colony Memorial

The 1937 Roanoke Half Dollar was struck "in commemoration of the three hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Sir Walter Raleigh's colony on Roanoke Island, North Carolina, known in history as the Lost Colony, and the birth of Virginia Dare, the first child of English parentage to be born on the American continent." The subject events date to 1587.




Note: The text enclosed in quotation marks for each coin was taken from the coin's authorizing Act - i.e., the "official" purpose of the coin as specified by the US Congress.

Next up, the 1700s. Stay tuned!


I've posted lots more history and background information on each of coins presented here; the posts can be accessed via: Commems Collection. Have a look!