The April 1934 issue of the American Numismatic Association's
The Numismatist magazine included the following US commemorative coin mention:
IS THIS A COMMEMORATIVE HALF DOLLAR?
We are in receipt of a communication from a Chicago member of the A. N. A. , stating that he has received a letter which reads as follows:
This is to advise you that on April 20, 1934, the American Legion of Texas will begin to release for general circulation Federal Government issue, silver 50c. pieces, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the State of Texas. This coin is to be known as the Texas Centennial issue. Obverse, picture of the Alamo and a five-point star effect. On the other, "Abe Harrison Post, No. 174, Georgetown, Texas.The brief notice did not indicate when the submitter received the letter, but, considering publication lead times and actual publication dates, February 1934 or earlier seems likely. At that time, the designs for the coin were still under development.
The models of Pompeo Coppini, the coin's designer, were not approved by the American Legion Texas Centennial Committee of Austin, Texas (the coin's official sponsor) until May 1934. The Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) reviewed the models and had a less-than-favorable opinion of them. The CFA made multiple recommendations for changes which Coppini began addressing. Updated models were approved by the CFA in late June 1934. At no point were inscriptions referencing the Abe Harrison Post part of the design discussion!
The 1934-dated coins were struck in Q4 1934 (October and November per Mint reports) and were subsequently distributed by the American Legion Texas Centennial Committee - no coins were made available in April 1934!
This mismatch between the Abe Harrison Post letter and the facts makes one wonder (at least it makes me wonder!).
- Why did the Post publicize such a prominent role for itself with the coin via inclusion of its name within its design?
- Why was it sending letters to out-of-state collectors when it wasn't the primary distributor of the coins?
- Did the Post have any real connection to the commemorative half dollar?
As I haven't yet found a verifiable, direct connection between the American Legion Abe Harrison Post and the Texas Independence Centennial Half Dollar, this one remains in my "Curiosity" folder awaiting closure. BTW, the Abe Harrison American Legion Post remains an active Legion Post to the present day.
1934-38 Texas Independence Centennial Half Dollar
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more about the Texas Centennial coins, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 07/03/2023 09:06 am
