Commems Collection Classic: 1936 Elgin, IL Centennial - Rovelstad, In His Own Words

Trygve Rovelstad was the artist/sculptor who created the designs for the 1936 Elgin, IL Centennial Half Dollar. The reverse of the coin depicts the "Pioneer Memorial" statue that Rovelstad created.

It's one thing to describe what an artist depicted on a coin, but I believe its better to understand what drove the artist to include the design elements he/she did.

To that end, I've recently come across Rovestad's description of the designs he used on the Elgin commemorative coin and thought others might enjoy getting the "inside scoop."

Rovelstad's description of his designs:

It is a little difficult to describe in detail the design on the Elgin coins. However, briefly, it contains a replica in relief of the heroic Pioneer Statue that I designed to commemorate the Centennial Celebration of the City in 1935.

I depicted in my group three phases of Pioneering. The first figure in the sculptured group is the woodsman or Indian scout, who first entered the great western wilderness, and hunted and traded with the Indians. The head of this figure is modeled on the obverse of the Half Dollar. Next comes the Pioneer father, and his wife, and babe. These are the farmers and city planners who settled the wilderness, cut down the forests, built roads, and drained the marsh lands of the Illini, which they farmed, and as the old saying goes, "made to blossom like the rose," and laid out the future great cities and towns. Following the central figures, is that of a youthful Pioneer who dreams, and produces modern miracles in science, and inventions - always looking back into the past for guidance.

Quite a bit of design insight and discussion of symbolism that is easy to overlook!

Pioneer Memorial Statue, Elgin, Illinois


1936 Elgin, IL Centennial Half Dollar



For a discussion of the Pioneer Memorial statue, see:

- Coins And Medals That Depict A Statue


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more Elgin Centennial half dollar stories, see: Commems Collection.