Silver Commem. Tidbits #3 - The 1925-S California Diamond Jubilee Half Dollar
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California's 75th anniversary of admission in the Union (31st state, 1850) is celebrated in this
artistic work that focuses on the Gold Rush.
The (left-facing) California bear symbol was used as Gen. John C. Fremont, an American surveyor, set up
a republic under the "bear flag" at Sonoma for the American settlers in Spanish California in 1946.
Fremont directed the seizure of a band of Mexican cavalry horses and forced the surrender of
General Vallejo. The Bear Flag, representing the Bear Flag Revolt Group was flown over the
seized presidio at Sonoma, signaling an independent California.
By The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, California was ceded by Mexico to the U.S.
for $15,000,000, and shortly afterwards gold was discovered by James W. Marshall on the land
of John Sutter, at Sutter's Mill on the American River, and set the stage for the gold rush.
The obverse shows a kneeling California Gold Rush era placer miner ('49er) kneeling to the left,
panning, washing gold from gravel, exemplifying the spirit of the famous days of 1849.
The population of California was 5,000 in 1845. There was an addition of 80,000 in 1849 alone.
By 1855 there were 400,000 Californians.
A San Francisco Citizens' Committee was formed to promote the issue of a commemorative
half dollar marking the anniversary. The Committee wanted souvenir coins to raise funds for a
celebration fondly hoped to be at least as important as the Monroe Doctine or the Pan Pacific's.
Legislation for this (as well as two other commemoratives, Vermont and Fort Vancouver), passed in
February, 1925, and the Diamond Jubilee coins were struck in August at the SF Mint. The coin was designed by
Joseph Mora, born in Uruguay in 1876, and lived in 1925 in Carmel, CA.
Mora is also known as designer of the sculptural group "Cervantes" in Golden Gate Park,
showing Don Quixote and Sancho Panza worshipping a bust of their Creator.
Not over 300,000 coins were authorized. Between August 1st and 26th,there were 150,000 business
strikes, 200 assay coins, perhaps 4 proofs, (at least one matte proof, without the "s" mintmark was
reported to be in the John Sinnock estate, now in an East Coast holder), then 63,606 melted.
Net mintage was 86,394, issued at $1.00.
Sales were affected through the San Francisco Clearing House Association and the Los Angeles Clearing
House Association, the latter having had some experience in the field through the earlier disbursement
of the 1923-S Monroe half dollars.
In 1937, B. Max Mehl, commented: "Although the number distributed to collectors was fairly large, the coin has
been very scarce for the past several years and seems to be in good demand with prices steadily on the upgrade."
In 1991, dealer Dwight Manley reported that he had been advised that a Southern California man owned
a small hoard of about 400 pieces which had remained intact since the year of mintage. This same individual
also had hoards of other coins, including 1935-S and 1936-D San Diego half Dollars.
Laibstain points out that because of the large collector base, the California commemorative is rarer than the
mintage suggests. Harry says "A few years ago several gem brilliant rolls came onto the market via a California
dealer. I was fortunate enough to buy nearly a roll of slabbed 65 and 66 coins that were just incredible.
Some went on to higher grades."
The issue exists in two finishes, frosty or lustrous, and, "chrome-like" or prooflike, the second being rarer.
The frosty finish pieces display some lack of die definition of the details. On the other hand, the prooflike
pieces have heavily brushed and highly polished dies. Some of these look polished.
Nearly all coins have evidence of friction on the miner's sleeve (and sometimes other shirt areas) on the obverse,
and in particular, on the shoulder and other body parts of the grizzly bear on the reverse. Many examples
which are in high technical grades in slabs are toned, sometimes deeply, so that such friction (if it exists) is masked.
Swietek points out that "Metal loss, indicated by a grayish-white metal texture can first be observed on the 49er's
upper shirt sleeve folds. Primary focal location is a target for the 'coin doctors'."
Critics call the coin an artistic triumph, and it is enjoyed as one of the most attractive of all U.S. commemoratives.
In 1971, Vermeule called it "one of America's greatest works of nusmismatic art."
Another ursine, a much more stylized grizzly bear, is on the 1936-S Oakland-SF Bay Bridge commemorative half dollar.
Tidbits taken from: Commemorative Coins of the United States (1991) by Q. David Bowers,
The Encyclopedia of United States Silver and Gold Commemorative Coins 1892-1954 (1981) by Anthony Swiatek,
The Official Guide to U.S. Commemorative Coins (1999) by David L. Ganz,
Investing, Collecting & Trading in Certified Commemoratives (1995) by Harry Laibstain,
A Basic Guide to U.S. Commemorative Coins (1992) by Hodder/Bowers,
United States Commemorative Coinage (1962) by Arlie R. Slabaugh,
Commemorative Coins of the United States by Anthony Swiatek, and
United States Commemorative Coins (1946) by Stuart Mosher.
artistic work that focuses on the Gold Rush.
The (left-facing) California bear symbol was used as Gen. John C. Fremont, an American surveyor, set up
a republic under the "bear flag" at Sonoma for the American settlers in Spanish California in 1946.
Fremont directed the seizure of a band of Mexican cavalry horses and forced the surrender of
General Vallejo. The Bear Flag, representing the Bear Flag Revolt Group was flown over the
seized presidio at Sonoma, signaling an independent California.
By The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, California was ceded by Mexico to the U.S.
for $15,000,000, and shortly afterwards gold was discovered by James W. Marshall on the land
of John Sutter, at Sutter's Mill on the American River, and set the stage for the gold rush.
The obverse shows a kneeling California Gold Rush era placer miner ('49er) kneeling to the left,
panning, washing gold from gravel, exemplifying the spirit of the famous days of 1849.
The population of California was 5,000 in 1845. There was an addition of 80,000 in 1849 alone.
By 1855 there were 400,000 Californians.
A San Francisco Citizens' Committee was formed to promote the issue of a commemorative
half dollar marking the anniversary. The Committee wanted souvenir coins to raise funds for a
celebration fondly hoped to be at least as important as the Monroe Doctine or the Pan Pacific's.
Legislation for this (as well as two other commemoratives, Vermont and Fort Vancouver), passed in
February, 1925, and the Diamond Jubilee coins were struck in August at the SF Mint. The coin was designed by
Joseph Mora, born in Uruguay in 1876, and lived in 1925 in Carmel, CA.
Mora is also known as designer of the sculptural group "Cervantes" in Golden Gate Park,
showing Don Quixote and Sancho Panza worshipping a bust of their Creator.
Not over 300,000 coins were authorized. Between August 1st and 26th,there were 150,000 business
strikes, 200 assay coins, perhaps 4 proofs, (at least one matte proof, without the "s" mintmark was
reported to be in the John Sinnock estate, now in an East Coast holder), then 63,606 melted.
Net mintage was 86,394, issued at $1.00.
Sales were affected through the San Francisco Clearing House Association and the Los Angeles Clearing
House Association, the latter having had some experience in the field through the earlier disbursement
of the 1923-S Monroe half dollars.
In 1937, B. Max Mehl, commented: "Although the number distributed to collectors was fairly large, the coin has
been very scarce for the past several years and seems to be in good demand with prices steadily on the upgrade."
In 1991, dealer Dwight Manley reported that he had been advised that a Southern California man owned
a small hoard of about 400 pieces which had remained intact since the year of mintage. This same individual
also had hoards of other coins, including 1935-S and 1936-D San Diego half Dollars.
Laibstain points out that because of the large collector base, the California commemorative is rarer than the
mintage suggests. Harry says "A few years ago several gem brilliant rolls came onto the market via a California
dealer. I was fortunate enough to buy nearly a roll of slabbed 65 and 66 coins that were just incredible.
Some went on to higher grades."
The issue exists in two finishes, frosty or lustrous, and, "chrome-like" or prooflike, the second being rarer.
The frosty finish pieces display some lack of die definition of the details. On the other hand, the prooflike
pieces have heavily brushed and highly polished dies. Some of these look polished.
Nearly all coins have evidence of friction on the miner's sleeve (and sometimes other shirt areas) on the obverse,
and in particular, on the shoulder and other body parts of the grizzly bear on the reverse. Many examples
which are in high technical grades in slabs are toned, sometimes deeply, so that such friction (if it exists) is masked.
Swietek points out that "Metal loss, indicated by a grayish-white metal texture can first be observed on the 49er's
upper shirt sleeve folds. Primary focal location is a target for the 'coin doctors'."
Critics call the coin an artistic triumph, and it is enjoyed as one of the most attractive of all U.S. commemoratives.
In 1971, Vermeule called it "one of America's greatest works of nusmismatic art."
Another ursine, a much more stylized grizzly bear, is on the 1936-S Oakland-SF Bay Bridge commemorative half dollar.
Tidbits taken from: Commemorative Coins of the United States (1991) by Q. David Bowers,
The Encyclopedia of United States Silver and Gold Commemorative Coins 1892-1954 (1981) by Anthony Swiatek,
The Official Guide to U.S. Commemorative Coins (1999) by David L. Ganz,
Investing, Collecting & Trading in Certified Commemoratives (1995) by Harry Laibstain,
A Basic Guide to U.S. Commemorative Coins (1992) by Hodder/Bowers,
United States Commemorative Coinage (1962) by Arlie R. Slabaugh,
Commemorative Coins of the United States by Anthony Swiatek, and
United States Commemorative Coins (1946) by Stuart Mosher.
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Comments
Some people I think get overwhelmed at the prospect of delving into the early commems. But this is the best way to do it. Taking it one coin at a time and learning a little about it's place in history, what it commemorates, and why certain design details where chosen.
Oddly enough, the California is one of the few commems I have never owned. Don't know why. Just never came across the right one at the right time. Hope to correct that oversite someday.
Once again, great post and information. Thanks.
Clankeye
To anyone with tidbits, or questions, please add them. There are many very knowledgable commem guys on the boards.
One of the reasons, if not THE original reason I got into commems, was,
when I was a kid, my mom and I took silver polish to the California she had been saving.
I had to get a good one to ease my conscience.
Carl
Link
Thanks Mike, nice coin, nice pic.
Brian.
Carl
Carl
i cant add anymore!!!!
for me there are some higher gem/superb gem pcgs/ngc slabbed coins that may be superb gem true to grade on one side but the other side barely makes choice unc. or even unc! from a strickly technical basis!
so either know EXACTLY what you are looking at or know and trust your dealer/seller!!
sincerely michael