Commems Collection Classic: 1946-51 Booker T Washington Birthplace Memorial - Historical Tidbits

A few tidbits about the 1946-51 Booker T Washington Birthplace Memorial Half Dollar...


Tidbit #1

I've written before about the Booker T Washington ("BTW") Birthplace Memorial coins presented to Harry S. Truman in December 1946 (read it here: 1946-51 Booker T Washington Birthplace Mem. - First Coin Presentation.

Before this presentation was made, Dr. Emmett J. Scott, Secretary of the BTW Birthplace Memorial organization, received the first BTW coin struck directly from Edwin H. Dressel, Superintendent of the US Mint in Philadelphia; the coin was struck in December 1946.

Though I can't confirm it, it would not surprise me to learn that the very first coin off the pressses wound up being given to Sidney J. Phillips, the sponsor and primary driver/advovate of the commemorative coin program.


Tidbit #2

Portia Washington Pittman, the only living child (a daughter) of Booker T Washington (circa 1946) appeared before the House Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures in support of the coin bill seeking the commemorative pieces; she appeared in June 1946.

Note: Booker T Washington ("BTW") had two sons in addition to Portia. BTW, Jr. (b. 1887; d. 1945) and Ernest Davidson Washington (b. 1889; d. 1938)


Tidbit #3

For his design/sculpting work on the Booker T Washington Birthplace Memorial half dollar, Isaac Scott Hathaway was paid $1,000. Adjusted for inflation, this would be ~$18,000 in mid- 2026.

The coin's obverse design (i.e., the portrait of Booker T Washington was based on a life mask of Washington that he had created. So, it's difficult to argue against the accuracy of the coin's portrait.


Tidbit #4

The issue prices of the 1946 coins varied based on the mint facility that struck them:

- Philadelphia Mint: $1.00 (plus 10 cents for postage & handling)
- San Francisco Mint: $1.00 (plus 10 cents for postage & handling)
- Denver Mint: $1.50 (plus 10 cents for postage & handling)

The price differential mirrored the mintage figures for each facility:

- Philadelphia Mint: 1,000,000
- San Francisco Mint: 500,000
- Denver Mint: 200,000

Based on these mintage figures, it would not have been surprising if the Birthplace Memorial charged a premium for the San Francisco coins - $1.25 per coin perhaps?


1946 Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial Half Dollar



For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more 'Tidbits' stories, see: Commems Collection