Classic Commemoratives; History Lesson #13, 1920 Maine Centennial
LeeG
Posts: 12,162 ✭
Today we journey to 1920 to discuss the Maine Centennial Half Dollar. This issue is very difficult to find with nice color. I was fortunate to find one and share it here. I paid well above any listed sheet price for it too, with no regrets.
Following the earlier example set by Illinois, in 1920 Maine petitioned for a commemorative half dollar to be struck to honor the centennial of its own admission into the Union. Although the issue was struck too late for the centennial celebration in Portland, Maine, the public liked the new coin, and initial sales were brisk. The obverse shows the arms of the state of Maine. The reverse bears a commemorative inscription within a wreath of pine branches, in keeping with the state's nickname, the Pine Tree State.
Quantity Authorized: 100,000
Quantity Distributed: 50,028
Designer: Obverse and reverse by Anthony de Francisici, after designs by an unknown Maine artist.
Interesting Fact: This issue was originally intended to circulate at face value, per an unadopted proposal made by a Maine legislator.very
Carl E. Milliken, governor of Maine, is being escorted by Passamaquoddy Governor William Neptune to the "Indian Village" set up in Deering Oaks Park, Portland, as part of the Maine Centennial celebration.
Members of the Passamaquoddy tribe attended the Maine Centennial celebrations in 1920. They set up an encampment in Deering Oaks Park in Portland which was called, "Indian Village."
This is one of many floats that were part of the Centennial Parade, July 5, 1920 in Portland. This float #23 celebrates the nurses serving in the American Red Cross.
The Pilgrim Trading Post was float number 19 in the Maine Centennial Parade, held in Portland, Maine, July 5, 1920 during the 10-day Centennial celebrations, June 26-July 5, 1920.
The Maine Centennial, 1820-1920 was held in Portland, Maine, June 26 through July 5, 1920. This float was entitled "Maine's Centennial Proclaims Welcome". On the float are representations of industry (granite), natural resources (lumber), and the figure of 'progress'.
Links To Previous Lessons:
Lesson #1
Lesson #2
Lesson #3
Lesson #4
Lesson #5
Lesson #6
Lesson #7
Lesson #8
Lesson #9
Lesson #10
Lesson #11
Lesson #12; 1918 Lincoln
Following the earlier example set by Illinois, in 1920 Maine petitioned for a commemorative half dollar to be struck to honor the centennial of its own admission into the Union. Although the issue was struck too late for the centennial celebration in Portland, Maine, the public liked the new coin, and initial sales were brisk. The obverse shows the arms of the state of Maine. The reverse bears a commemorative inscription within a wreath of pine branches, in keeping with the state's nickname, the Pine Tree State.
Quantity Authorized: 100,000
Quantity Distributed: 50,028
Designer: Obverse and reverse by Anthony de Francisici, after designs by an unknown Maine artist.
Interesting Fact: This issue was originally intended to circulate at face value, per an unadopted proposal made by a Maine legislator.very
Carl E. Milliken, governor of Maine, is being escorted by Passamaquoddy Governor William Neptune to the "Indian Village" set up in Deering Oaks Park, Portland, as part of the Maine Centennial celebration.
Members of the Passamaquoddy tribe attended the Maine Centennial celebrations in 1920. They set up an encampment in Deering Oaks Park in Portland which was called, "Indian Village."
This is one of many floats that were part of the Centennial Parade, July 5, 1920 in Portland. This float #23 celebrates the nurses serving in the American Red Cross.
The Pilgrim Trading Post was float number 19 in the Maine Centennial Parade, held in Portland, Maine, July 5, 1920 during the 10-day Centennial celebrations, June 26-July 5, 1920.
The Maine Centennial, 1820-1920 was held in Portland, Maine, June 26 through July 5, 1920. This float was entitled "Maine's Centennial Proclaims Welcome". On the float are representations of industry (granite), natural resources (lumber), and the figure of 'progress'.
Links To Previous Lessons:
Lesson #1
Lesson #2
Lesson #3
Lesson #4
Lesson #5
Lesson #6
Lesson #7
Lesson #8
Lesson #9
Lesson #10
Lesson #11
Lesson #12; 1918 Lincoln
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Comments
All the centennial pictures are just wonderful.
Thanks for sharing!
-Amanda
I'm a YN working on a type set!
My Buffalo Nickel Website Home of the Quirky Buffaloes Collection!
Proud member of the CUFYNA
Research published 3 years ago:
"Often credited with the coin’s design, de Francisci was required to work from drawings prepared by artist Harry Cochrane from Monmouth, Maine..." ("Renaissance of American Coinage 1916-1921", p.200. Also see, “Designer of Maine Centennial Commemorative Identified,” Coin World Magazine, April 26 and May 2, 2003, and the 2006 Coin World article on the Maine Centennial half dollar.)
2. The photos from Maine Memory are really interesting; however, the Maine Historical Society folks claim copyright to them and charge a significant fee for publication.
Maine's have one of those reverses that the design is so simple--almost stark--that I actually like it (in a weird way). This is probably not surprising coming from someone who obsessively collects Carver-Washingtons.
Clankeye
Terry
Bruce Scher
Great job Lee!
I stumbled on this post from the past and found it interesting. Some nice photos and links. Most of the bicentennial events for the 2020 celebrations were overshadowed by the pandemic but they did release a nice medal. A wealth of information here on this site if you just do a little searching!
Jim