Commems Collection Classic: 1936 Cleveland, OH Centennial / Great Lakes Exposition - Hist Tidbits

A few quick factoids about the 1936 Cleveland Centennial Half Dollar...


Tidbit #1

The coin's designs were reported as "completed" and "approved" in June 1936. The designs are the work of New York-based Artist/Sculptor Brenda Putnam.

For a bit more about Ms. Putnam, see:

- Coins And Medals Designed By A Woman


Tidbit #2

The striking of each batch of 25,000 coins for the Cleveland Commemorative Coin Association (essentially Thomas Melish), was reported to require less than a day at the US Mint in Philadelphia.


Tidbit #3

In June 1936, Thomas Melish reported that in addition to the face value of the first batch of 25,000 coins ($12,500), the Cleveland Commemorative Coin Association had additional coin-related expenses of approximately $4,500 - resulting in a $17.000 total cost.

The $1.50 per coin issue price produced top-line proceeds of $37,500. Thus, the Association yielded approximately $20,500 in bottom-line profits on the first 25,000 coins.

Melish reported that he expected a better net profit margin on the second batch of 25,000 coins as the Association would not have the startup costs to cover (e.g., Artist/Sculptor fees, US Mint die charges, lobbying trips to Congress).

Note: Melish claimed to have financed the upfront costs out of his own pocket.


Tidbit #4

The coins were available at the Great Lakes Exposition for $1.50 per coin, or via mail order for $1.65 (the additional $0.15 going to cover postage, insurance and packaging). Coins at the Exposition were sold in small, custom-printed envelopes.

See 1936 Cleveland, OH Centennial / Great Lakes Exposition - Ephemera II for more about the Exposition's coin envelopes.[/url]


1936 Cleveland Centennial / Great Lakes Exposition Half Dollar



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