What is our country's first Commemorative coin?
Insider2
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I've been reading a book about the Franklin Hoard. There was something in it that I never considered and I wish to know what you guys think. So as not to tip off a possible correct answer (given in the book), let's have some guesses.
What is the first Commemorative coin STRUCK AT the U.S. mint?
Commemorative can be defined as: Serving as a memorial (preserving the memory of a person or event) of.
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Comments
48 CAL QE?
1892 Columbian Half Dollar.
Agree.
Agree with the 1848 CAL quarter eagle. Commemorates the discovery of gold in California which resulted in the greatest peace time migration of people in history.
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"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
The important authors, like David Bowers, agree with this, but I am not sure that the people who authorized this coin thought of it as a commemorative. None the less it celebrated the first shipment of gold from California, and it had the unique bonus of having been made from the material it celebrated.
That's what the book said. 1848 CAL. $2 1/2
Bill is probably correct also. An actual "Commemorative" coin as we think of them was probably not even a consideration until decades later.
What was the second commemorative coin? Offhand, I don't know the answer but I Just found out.
Interesting question...although the 1848 CAL. $2 1/2 is technically correct, it was likely not thought of as a commemorative at the time....OK..what was the second?? Cheers, RickO
Some circles believe the 1932 Washington quarter is a commemorative. Do you?
Ok, to clear things up: what was the first congressionally-authorized coin?
The 1796 O-102 half dollar with sixteen stars could be a commemorative for Tennessee as the 16th state to enter the Union.
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
I would be ok with a commem type set without the 48 CAL.
That is a possibility. Any research concerning this. Perhaps someone an PM Roger (he has me blocked).
Yes. If there were a 1933 25c, then NO. There was a set of postage stamps issued to honor Washington also.
Lincoln cent.....??
WS
this
Yes, I would be okay with that. The 1848 CAL. is scarce, expensive and out of the range of most collectors' budges.
No. I think that the mint had given up on the Standing Liberty design which was too hard to strike well consistently.
Strictly speaking....You could claim that ALL of the "Dead Presidents" coins (including the non-presidential Franklin), are commemorative in nature. They just happen to also be circulating coins.
So, I'd prefer that any list of "commemorative coins" be limited to coins specifically and intentionally created to commemorate only. Keeps the list a little more pure.
There is no 33, there is a 34. I think that's more about the depression than the expiration of the commemoration.
1932 was Washington's bicentennial. 1909 was Lincoln's centennial. So if one is a commem, both are.
The 1909 Lincoln cent was a design change that was continued. In the strictest sense, I guess it could be called a commemorative design to honor Lincoln (Breen). However, not for me. I don't consider that a commemorative. A 1910 was struck the next year. The 1932 was different. It was issued for one year only - not the same. In 1933, who knew it would appear again in 1934 as a design change? There must be something published about this as I think I read somewhere long ago that the 1932 quarter was considered a commemorative - at first.
According to wikipedia, the washington bicentennial commission wanted a 1 year half dollar but instead Congress permanently replaced the quarter.
This should be verifiable if anyone cares to research the law creating the quarter
Yes,Washington was to be honored on a continuous coin series of half dollars (just as Lincoln). That does not explain the lack of a 1933 quarter.
March 4, 1931
I think you're making too much out of the lack of 1933 quarters.
There were no dimes made in: 1922, 1932, 1933
There were no quarters made in: 1922, 1931, 1933
There were no half-dollars made in: 1922, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1930, 1931, 1932 (And only single mints in several other years)
I would say it was due to economic conditions completely unrelated to design changes.
Edited to extend to dimes, to be more complete and representative of the times...
I read that. So a "one year" commemorative quarter issued in 1932 became a full series starting in 1934!
Thanks, but we are discussing the 1932 Washington quarter. "...but instead Congress permanently replaced the quarter." The mint USED THE DESIGN of the already struck 1932 one year commemorative quarter (due to economic conditions?).
Only addressing your assertion that the lack of 1933 quarters had some significance. I think it was incidental, and don't think it had anything to do with it.
No, supposedly the 1931 law made the 1932 change permanent. If I cared more, I'd pull up the exact legislation.
For me, U.S. commemorative coins have two things in common. Obviously they must commemorate a person or historical event, but they also have a financial aspect. In other words, a portion of the sale of the coin goes to an organization that is responsible for helping to commemorate the event. I know that some organizations have been questionable ( Cincinnati Music Center) but the intent was there. I am familiar with this all too well as it was my idea for the World War I commemorative and by far, the hardest task was locating a suitable place to park the proceeds from the sale.
With the above in mind, I believe the 1892 Columbian was the first U.S. commemorative coin.
The Lafayette Dollar doesn't have a date on it technically, so...
The Washington cent patterns minted in 1792.
Yes, but I would be even more OK with a 48 CAL in my type set.
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IMO, The 1931 law you mention had no bearing on the intent to issue the coin in 1932 as only a one year commemorative. We know the design was carried over as a regular issue starting in 1934.
did you read it? could you post a link?
NO.
Your post matches what I had read long ago: @jmlanzaf posted: "According to wikipedia, the washington bicentennial commission wanted a 1 year half dollar but instead Congress permanently replaced the quarter."
I'll add, continuing the design of the one year 1932 commemorative Washington quarter in
1934!
Where is Roger?
It should be in the Congressional record.
Again, given the Great Depression, the absence of 1933 coins alone doesn't mean anything. Try to find a 1933 Buff Nickel or Merc dime.
So was the answer 2012 Gold Buffalo?