Commems Collection Classic: 1937 Arkansas Statehood Centennial - Stack's Distribution

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Author	Replies: 8 / Views: 1,840
commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12250 Posts	Posted 04/27/2013 4:23 pm As I've discussed previously, the Arkansas Statehood Centennial half-dollar was one of several classic commemoratives to be struck and issued in multiple years. The first coins were issued in 1935, the year prior to Arkansas' centennial year (1936); the last coins were released in 1939. All three of the US Mint facilities struck coins for the Arkansas Centennial Commission in each year of the coin's five-year run. A complete set of Arkansas Centennial half-dollars is thus comprised of 15 coins - five yearly P-D-S sets. The Arkansas Centennial Commission was largely responsible for the sale and distribution of the coins over the course of its program, but Stack's, the nationally-known coin dealer from New York, spearheaded the distribution in 1937. In an effort to spark sales and make the coins of the program's third-year stand-out - from the previous 1935/36 Arkansas issues as well as other competing contemporary commemorative issues - Stack's fashioned a fairly elaborate holder for the 1937 issue. Rather than a simple cardboard folder with coin tabs, Stacks created a hinged, black leatherette case with a felt lining. The case's interior coin tray featured three insets, one for each P-D-S coin. The exterior of the case featured a metal clasp and was imprinted with "Arkansas Commemorative Half Dollar" on its lid. The interior of the lid features the Stack's logo and address. The cases also came with a Stack's advertisement insert and a piece of material to protect the coins. Stack's mailed the cases in a custom-fit box sized to perfectly fit and protect them. Stacks sold the three-coin sets for $8.75, case included. In terms of "fancy case" rankings, I would say that the standard Stack's case for the 1937 Arkansas coins was only bested by the elaborate cases and copper-framed holders produced for the coins of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition. (I'll leave those cases for a later post!) Enjoy! 1935 Arkansas Statehood Centennial Half-Dollar - Obverse 1935 Arkansas Statehood Centennial Half-Dollar - Reverse 1937 Arkansas Stack's Coin Case - Exterior Lid 1937 Arkansas Stack's Coin Case - Interior Lid and Coin Tray 1937 Arkansas Stack's Coin Case - Mailing Box Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff

nickelsearcher Moderator United States 15381 Posts	Posted 04/27/2013 6:35 pm I am wondering commems if we will ever reach the end of your museum quality collection of commemorative related materials? Enjoying all of them ... as well as a second look at the outstanding coins. Gotta enjoy the mailing box ... 13 cents to send it to "Mrs L" .... try that today. :) David Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art Report this Post to the Staff
Doug58s Pillar of the Community United States 899 Posts	Posted 04/27/2013 6:50 pm I agree - we are definitely blessed to see the depth of your collection. I am lucky to find a coin I like and can afford and you present the history and beauty all at the same time. The Arkansas coin is one I bought for the simplicity of the obverse design. Thanks again commems! Report this Post to the Staff
basebal21 Bedrock of the Community 13014 Posts	Posted 04/27/2013 7:20 pm Quote: I am wondering commems if we will ever reach the end of your museum quality collection of commemorative related materials? Im wondering if he owns a storage wearehouse for all of it Report this Post to the Staff
commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12250 Posts	Posted 04/28/2013 08:15 am @nickelsearcher: I haven't reached the "bottom of the box" just yet, I think I've got a few posts left in me! @Doug58s: Thank you for the kind words. @basebal21: No warehouse, but more than one bank safe deposit box. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff
Not Mint to Be Valued Member United States 469 Posts	Posted 04/28/2013 6:51 pm While you are on the topic of the Arkansas series does the Eagle have a weak strike on the breast feathers on a lot of the coins? Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 187446 Posts	Posted 04/29/2013 2:30 pm Quote: I am wondering commems if we will ever reach the end of your museum quality collection of commemorative related materials? I certainly hope not! Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
CoinsKelly Pillar of the Community United States 3453 Posts	Posted 04/30/2013 1:20 pm Excellent post. To expand on Not Mint To Be's question, what do you look for in this particular coin? Anyone else please feel free to chime in on that . Report this Post to the Staff
commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12250 Posts	Posted 04/30/2013 3:03 pm Weakness in some central areas of the obverse and reverse are common among the coins of the Arkansas series. On the obverse, I would check the cheek area of Miss Liberty as well as the area above her eye and below the Liberty cap (e.g., look for softness in the hairlines). I've seen a number of coins with a cheek that displays quite a few "chatter" marks that I view as un-struck planchet (i.e., a weak strike) vs. bag marks or other post-strike contact marks. On the reverse, the head/neck/chest areas of the eagle often show some weakness (i.e., some indistinctness in the feathers). These areas should definitely be inspected closely when considering an Arkansas half-dollar for purchase. I've seen quite a few "flat" Arkansas coins, even in higher grades (MS65/66); by this I mean coins with dull and lifeless surfaces (likely due to being over-dipped in their past). I've passed on quite a number while in searching for a coin with a reasonable strike and nice cartwheel luster. If you are looking for one, I would definitely hold out for an Arkansas with good luster and details in the areas noted. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff
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