Commems Collection Classic: 1936 York County, Maine Tercentenary - Historical Tidbits

Here are a few tidbits/trivia notes about the 1936 York County Maine Tercentenary Half Dollar:

Tidbit #1

The York County Tercentenary Commemorative Half Dollar was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in August 1936. Considering the coin proposal was not approved until late in June 1936, the turnaround time from models to production was impressively short and efficient!

Tidbit #2

The York County Tercentenary Commemorative Coin Association earmarked 10,000 of its half dollars for Maine residents - 40% of the Association's 25,000-coin order for the 1936-dated piece.

Though exact figures aren't available, in-state sales appear to have been strong, exceeding half of the coin's total mintage; out-of-state mail orders added another 5,000 to 6,000 coins to the sales total. The Association had about 6,000 unsold coins at the close of the initial sales period, but it did not return them to the Mint to be melted; coins continued to be available into the 1950s..

Tidbit #3

The half dollars went on sale on August 15, 1936, just prior to York County's official Tercentenary celebrations; the events were scheduled for August 24-30, 1936.

Advertisement for Tercentenary Celebrations


Note the call for the commemorative half dollar!

Tidbit #4

At the time of its release, some collectors believed the York County half dollar would be the last "special coin" issued by the US Government (at least for an extended period). Of course, this was not to be as other commemorative coins were released in 1937, 1938 and 1946 through 1954.

Tidbit #5

Net proceeds from coin sales went to fund York County's Tercentenary celebrations, but funds remained after the celebrations ended. So, the York County Tercentenary Commission set up "a permanent development organization that would promote, over a period of years, the natural attractions, resources and advantages of York County along recreational, agricultural and industrial lines." (Biddeford-Saco Journal, September 3, 1937.)

Nice to see the coin funds being put to positive, ongoing use!

1936 York County Maine Tercentenary Half Dollar


For an interesting story about the mis-ordering of the York County coins, see:

- 1936 York County, Maine Tercentenary - Coin Order Mixup At Mint


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more York County coin stories, see: Commems Collection