A large number of the issues of the classic-era series of US commemorative coins - more than half of the 59 gold and silver design types - feature a named individual's portrait. I've previously reviewed the foreign personalities that have been featured, you can review them here:
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Foreign Personalities - Part I-
Foreign Personalities - Part II-
Foreign Personalities - Part IIII've decided to circle back and review the American-born personalities that have been featured on one or more US commemorative coins between 1900 and 1954.
(Note: I used the term "American" vs. "United States" because some of the individuals featured were born in an American Colony vs. State.)1900 Lafayette Memorial Silver Dollar - George Washington
The first named American to be featured within the US commemorative series was George Washington. Washington was born in 1732 in the Virginia Colony. He served as the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army (1775-1783) and First US President under the US Constitution (1789-1797).
Washington also appeared on the 1926 American Independence Sesquicentennial Half Dollar.
1926 American Independence Half Dollar - George Washington
In addition, Washington's portrait adorned the obverse of the 1932 Washington Quarter - a coin originally proposed as a full commemorative piece (half dollar).
1932 Washington Quarter - George Washington
1903 Louisiana Purchase Exposition Gold Dollar - Thomas Jefferson
The 1903 Louisiana Purchase Exposition was supported by a pair of Gold Dollar coins. One depicted a left-facing portrait of Thomas Jefferson, the other a left-facing portrait of William McKinley.
Thomas Jefferson, born in 1743 in the Virginia Colony, was a long-time politician/elected government official. After multiple political positions in Virginia, he served as the Third President of the United States under the US Constitution (1801-1809), the Second Vice President (under James Adams, 1797-1801) and the First US Secretary of State (under George Washington, 1790-1793); he was also the primary author of the Declaration of Independence.
1903 Louisiana Purchase Exposition Gold Dollar - William McKinley
William McKinley was born in Niles, Ohio in 1843. He was elected to multiple government positions in Ohio, including Governor (1892-1896). He served as 25th US President (1897-1901). He was assassinated in Buffalo, New York while attending the Pan-American Exposition in September 1901.
McKinley also appeared on the 1916-17 Gold Dollars that were struck to support the McKinley Birthplace Memorial.
1916-17 William McKinly Birthplace Memorial Gold Dollar - William McKinley
1904-05 Lewis and Clark Exposition Gold Dollar - Meriwether Lewis / William Clark
The 1904-05 Lewis and Clark Exposition Gold Dollar is a "double-headed" coin, with each of its sides depicting one of the expedition's namesakes - Captain Meriwether Lewis and "Captain" William Clark.
Meriwether Lewis was born in 1774 in the Virginia Colony. He served as a co-leader of the Corps of Discovery Expedition (1803-1806) that explored the newly-acquired Louisiana Territory. Following the Expedition, he served as the Second Governor of the Louisiana Territory (1807-1809).
William Clark was born in 1770 in the Virginia Colony. He served as a co-leader - with Meriwether Lewis - of the Corps of Discovery Expedition (1803-1806). After the Expedition, he served as the Fourth Governor of the Missouri Territory (1813-1820) and the US Superintendent of Indian Affairs (under Thomas Jefferson, 1822-1838).
1918 Illinois Statehood Centennial Half Dollar - Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was born in 1809 in Kentucky. He was elected to and served in the Illinois House of Representatives (1834-1842), then the US House of Representatives - from Illinois (1847-1849). After a time pursuing his law practice, Lincoln rose within the ranks of the Illinois Republican Party, made unsuccessful runs at the US Senate before being selected as the Party's nominee for US President in 1860; he was elected and served as US President (1861-65).
His election was a major catalyst for the US Civil War, with multiple southern states seceding from the Union shortly after his election. He was assassinated on April 14, 1865 - little more than a month after being inaugurated to a second term as US President after winning the 1864 election (he defeated the former Union General, George McClellan).
More to come - stay tuned!For more of my topics on commemorative coins and medals, including stories about each of the coins discussed above, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 01/09/2025 1:32 pm
