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 Replies: 11 / Views: 881 |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12252 Posts |
In May 1936, it was reported that Robert Bruce Etheridge, Director of the NC Department of Conservation and Development (1933-49), was the first to suggest a commemorative half dollar to mark the 350th Anniversary of the Roanoke Island Settlement; the anniversary was to occur in 1937. (The idea likely originated prior to May 1936.) D. Bradford Fearing, Dare County Chamber of Commerce Secretary and Chairman of the Roanoke Colony Memorial Association of Manteo, teamed with Etheridge on the half dollar idea and they brought it to North Carolina Congressman Lindsay G. Warren. Warren moved quickly, and introduced a Roanoke commemorative coin bill in the US House of Representatives on May 20, 1936. (The Roanoke Colony Memorial Association of Manteo was listed as the coin's sponsor/beneficiary in the bill.) Initial design concepts for the coin definitely differ from the designs ultimately struck. It was initially suggested that the coin's obverse depict the two barks (i.e., three-masted sailing ships) Philip Amadas and Arthur Barlowe sailed to scout the present-day North Carolina coast in 1534 in search of potential settlement sites; the expedition was under Sir Walter Raleigh's sponsorship - (Raleigh had received a Royal patent to colonize new lands in the area in the name of England's King Henry VIII.) It was proposed that the reverse of the coin feature a scene of Virginia Dare's baptism at Fort Raleigh in 1587. Virginia Dare was the first child of English parents born in the New World. Ultimately, the coin proposal was approved and a half dollar was struck to commemorate the Roanoke Colony's Anniversary. The designs, however, took on new forms and the baptism theme was dropped due to potential religious objections. 1937 Roanoke Colony Memorial Half Dollar  For more of my topics on commemorative coins and medals, including stories about the Roanoke half dollar, Raleigh's colonization attempts and Virginia Dare's baptism, see: Commems Collection. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5602 Posts |
A Wonderful 1937 Roanoke Colony Example ...  Between Queen Elizabeth1 and James1, Sir Walter's Life was an Admired one, Even after James1 had Him Beheaded for Treason...... After all His adventures, People Loved Sir Walter Raleigh...And Still Do...  Once given the History, Sir Walter Raleigh Was an accomplished Writer, Adventurer Nobleman. He Deserves Honors. Why do Historians blame Him for the Lost 115 Colonists, Why did Queen Elizabeth1 take it out on Sir Walter, Having Him imprisoned.  Was the Gov. J. White of the Colony the Only person to return to Roanoke to Not find others, ? My memory is foggy, Any one ? |
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
Very interesting and thank you for sharing.  |
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Moderator
United States
15386 Posts |
One of my favorite designs from the classic silver series. I also have a well worn example: 1937 Roanoke Colony Half - PCGS G06 I happen to know of a fellow collector who also has an honestly circulated example.  |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12252 Posts |
Quote:
Why did Queen Elizaabeth1 take it out on Sir Walter, Having Him imprisoned. Raleigh's imprisonment by Elizabeth was a case of "infidelity." Raleigh secretly married one of Elizabeth's ladies-in-waiting (i.e., personal attendant) - Elizabeth Throckmorton - by whom he had a son. Queen Elizabeth did not take too kindly to this! . Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12252 Posts |
Quote:
Was the Gov. J. White of the Colony the Only person to return to Roanoke to Not find others, ? White was delayed in his return to Roanoke due to the ongoing war between England and Spain. When he did return, in 1590, he found the Colony abandoned. He did send a group to search Croatoan Island (present-day Hatteras Island). That search was unsuccessful, and for a variety of reasons, some weather-related, he was forced to leave without conducting a more comprehensive search. Raleigh sent another search expedition in 1602, but it was unsuccessful. Years later, colonists from Jamestown tried to locate the Roanoke colonists, but were not successful. Other attempts were made, but none ever were truly successful - the search for the answer to why the colony was abandoned and what happened to the colonists may never be definitively known (though the search for answers continues to the present!). Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12252 Posts |
Quote:
Why do Historians blame Him for the Lost 115 Colonists, I believe he is cited for poor planning/preparation, a lack of continuing focus on the colony's welfare (he shifted his attentions to the war with Spain) and for putting an under-skilled/ill=prepared John White in a position of leadership. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12252 Posts |
Quote:
I happen to know of a fellow collector who also has an honestly circulated example. Now, how would you know that?!    Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10475 Posts |
Great looking halves - I like the XF45 example.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5602 Posts |
COMMEMS; Your an Incredible Historian, Numismaticly speaking, Your GOLD...... I enjoyed your replys. Must be good to be King.... My belief is We will not ever know what happen for sure. The Jamestown colony original colonizers Must of been a Very Tough group, Weather, Unknown factors, Sickness, Disease, Food, Natives!!! Tough life The circulated examples shown are SWEET !!! Thanks again Commems. |
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Moderator
United States
15386 Posts |
Great and useful answers - thank you commems for the followup responses.
I'm always a fan of your XF45 example. It's seen enough wear to be described as honestly circulated and also retains enough detail to fully 'see' the coin.
It's simply a beautiful coin with an untold circulation history.
IMO the XF40 to AU50 range is the sweet spot for circulated classic silver commemorative - and yours sits right there in the bullseye.
Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.art |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3634 Posts |
Great read and follow-on discussion!
I sometimes consider picking up a few certified circulated commemoratives as there's just something about them that attract me, especially a nice example as your XF45 Roanoke.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 881 |
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Posted 01/14/2025 11:53 am
