Commems Collection Classic: 1936 Columbia, SC Sesquicentennial - Positive Outcomes

With all of the negative issues often associated with the US commemorative coin programs of the mid-1930s - mismanagement, dealer greed, collector exploitation - it's nice to report on a well-managed and successful program that treated collectors fairly and left a positive legacy. I give you the 1936 Columbia, SC Sesquicentennial Half Dollar!

The Columbia Sesqui-Centennial Commission was the lead planner/organizer of the city's 150th anniversary celebrations and was also the sponsor of its commemorative half dollar. The coin was not the only souvenir the Commission sold; it combined with the local Chamber of Commerce to also sell poster stamps/seals and commemorative wooden nickels. (See 1936 Columbia, SC Sesquicentennial Cousin for more.)

Funds collected from coin sales were partially used to fund the Columbia, SC Historical Committee that was created at the same time as the Commission. The Historical Committee was charged with documenting significant events in the history of Columbia, SC. Committee members wrote the essays that were collected in the Commission's Columbia, Capitol City of South Carolina, 1786-1936 publication.

Funds from the sale of the Commission's souvenirs, especially the coins, resulted in a net profit of ~$25,000 for the well-managed Commission. These funds were donated to Columbia, SC and subsequently were used to purchase the property that became Sesquicentennial State Park, to purchase property bestowed upon the University of South Carolina for an arboretum and to create and place new historical markers around Columbia.

The State Park was established on 1,415 acres acres purchased from the Dent family for $14,857.50. The land for the University arboretum cost ~$6,000 and $3,000 was used for the 50 historical markers.

The City made good use of the funds donated to it! It is nice to see!

1936 Columbia, SC Sesquicentennial Half Dollar



For more on the Sesquicentennial Celebration, check out:

- 1936 Columbia, SC Sesquicentennial - The Celebration And Its Coins


For more on the coin's design elements, see:

= Design Discussions - 1936 Columbia, SC Sesquicentennial


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more on the Columbia, SC coins, see: Commems Collection.