Commems Collection Classic: 1934-38 Texas Independence Centennial - Historical Tidbits

Another round of "tidbits" for a classic-era United States ("US") commemorative coin...


Tidbit #1

The 'Sculptor Committee' of the American Legion Texas Centennial Committee - consisting of US Representatives William Doddridge McFarlane (D-TX) - Chairman, John Marvin Jones (D-TX) and John William Wright Patman (D-TX), along with US Senator Thomas Terry Connally (D-TX) - met with US Mint officials in early 1934 to finalize the selection of the sculptor who would design and model the group's half dollar. Pompeo Coppini was ultimately selected.

Note: All of the Congressmen were members of the Texas American Legion, the sponsor of the commemorative coin.

The Committee had decided that the coin designs were to include portraits of Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin, as well as depict the Alamo and the 'Lone Star'; Coppini added to these core elements in his final designs.


Tidbit #2

Coppini's designs for the Texas half dollar were approved by the Texas Centennial Committee in May 1934.


Tidbit #3

Many newspapers across the US in July 1934 carried a picture of Pompeo Coppini and his models for the Texas Independence Centennial coin:


(Image Credit: Montgomery County Sentinel, July 12, 1934. Fair use - Education.)


Tidbit #4

The general 'on sale' date for the Texas Independence Centennial half dollar was December 20, 1934. However, American Legion Posts across Texas arranged for pre-release auctions of the coin to kick start the sales effort to raise money for further operations and to help support the Texas Memorial Museum Fund.

The first auction (of 10 coins) was held on the steps of the State Capitol in Austin, Texas on December 18, 1934.


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more 'Tidbit' stories, see: Commems Collection