Official 1926 Sesquicentennial commemorative coins thread

CaptHenway

Here is a link to the law authorizing the 1926 Sesquicentennial commemorative $2.50 and Half Dollar coins. It says nothing about the designs. I will dive into the back issues of The Numismatist for any information about how the designs were selected and authorized.

https://www.usmint.gov/learn/history/historical-documents/american-independence-sesquicentennial-commemorative-coin-legislation

cinque1543

Thanks for starting this thread. I think the 2.50 dollar Sesqui is one of the most beautiful coins the U.S. Mint has produced. Elegant art deco styling.

johnny9434

My dad's birth year (RIP)

illini420

Beautiful example of an official U.S. coin with the then-current President of the United States

CaptHenway

Found virtually nothing about the choosing of the designs. They were approved by the CFA, per this tiny blurb in the Feb. 1926 Numismatist.

Unfortunately the CFA's online archives only go back to about 2002.

CaptHenway

Here are excerpts from a general article on commemorative coins by Farran Zerbe from August of 1926 that mentions the issue of Calvin Coolidge's portrait appearing on a coin during his lifetime.

CaptHenway

Here is an editorial from the Baltimore Sun critical of a living President's portrait appearing on a U.S. coin, as reprinted in the March, 1926 Numismatist:

Higashiyama

@illini420 - wow, that is an amazing example of the Sesquicentennial half! Definitely worth a special mention!

CaptHenway

And here is a totally irrelevant but fascinating connection between the Coolidge Family and Thomas Jefferson, whose granddaughter married into the Coolidge Family early in the 19th Century. Note the reference to the portable writing desk on which Jefferson is presumed to have written the Declaration of Independence, gifted to the Coolidge Family and now on non-public display at the State Department Building in Washington. I got to see this desk at a reception my wife attended honoring all of the people who retired the year that she retired.

1776Coins

@CaptHenway said:
And here is a totally irrelevant but fascinating connection between the Coolidge Family and Thomas Jefferson, whose granddaughter married into the Coolidge Family early in the 19th Century. Note the reference to the portable writing desk on which Jefferson is presumed to have written the Declaration of Independence, gifted to the Coolidge Family and now on non-public display at the State Department Building in Washington. I got to see this desk at a reception my wife attended honoring all of the people who retired the year that she retired.

WOW, thank you for finding and sharing this. What a fun piece of history.

CaptHenway

@1776Coins said:

@CaptHenway said:
And here is a totally irrelevant but fascinating connection between the Coolidge Family and Thomas Jefferson, whose granddaughter married into the Coolidge Family early in the 19th Century. Note the reference to the portable writing desk on which Jefferson is presumed to have written the Declaration of Independence, gifted to the Coolidge Family and now on non-public display at the State Department Building in Washington. I got to see this desk at a reception my wife attended honoring all of the people who retired the year that she retired.

WOW, thank you for finding and sharing this. What a fun piece of history.

I know. There was a modest rope line in front of it that I probably could have reached over and touched it, but that would have been uncouth.

johnny9434

olympicsos

@cinque1543 said:
Thanks for starting this thread. I think the 2.50 dollar Sesqui is one of the most beautiful coins the U.S. Mint has produced. Elegant art deco styling.

This was John Sinnock's best work!