Commems Collection Classic: 1934-38 Daniel Boone Birth Bicentennial - Contemporary Acct. Of Portrait

I've posted before about the issues surrounding the portrait of Daniel Boone, as depicted by Augustus Lukeman, on the obverse of the 1934-38 Daniel Boone Birth Bicentennial Half Dollar: 1934-38 Boone Bicentennial - Portrait Discussion

I came across the following in the October 1934 issue of Hobbies magazine - it is an excerpt from an article by John H. Bowman titled "The Daniel Boone Medals." (The article title is something of a misnomer, however, as the article discusses the Daniel Boone commemorative coin struck by the US Mint, not a Boone commemorative medal.) I thought folks might find it interesting:

"A controversy over the physiognomy of Daniel Boone, the great pioneer whose bicentenary is being commemorated this year, threatened to hold up the issue of the Boone Memorial half-dollars authorized by Act of Congress...

"It was over the profile of Daniel Boone on the obverse side of the coin that the controversy arose. Augustus Lukeman, New York sculptor, was instructed by the Kentucky commission to model Boone as he appeared at the age of 41, when he built his famous fort at Boonesborough and launched upon his colorful career.

"The only portrait to be found of Boone was the famous Chester Harding painting made in 1819, one year before his death and at the age of 85. Mr. Lukeman's model was approved by the Kentucky commission, but when it reached the U. S. Fine Arts Commission it was held up to determine what Boone really did look like at the age of 41. Histories were consulted, authenticated drawings were inspected and Boone descendants were interviewed. It was finally agreed that the delineations of Boone's face and the contour of his head matched as nearly as could be expected a composite profile of the noted pioneer according to the various sketches and histories. Boone was then approved, as modeled, and arrangements speeded up to have the coins produced at the Philadelphia Mint."

1934-38 Daniel Boone Birth Bicentennial Half Dollar



For more of my stories about commemorative coins and medals, including more on the Boone half dollars, see: Commems Collection.