Showcase of the Union in Coins, Currency, and Tokens
Creg
Posts: 1,538 ✭✭✭✭✭
Lord Marcovan and I are starting a participation thread to showcase the sesquicentennial of the Union in coins and exomunia, and to recognize the creativity within the membership.
Here’s how it works: starting on Sunday May 17 you can post coins, tokens, bars, etc. that represent the first state, Delaware. Topics can be the natives of that state, products, official state animals, events, fairs, sports—something that you can identify with that state.
We’ll feature one state per day and refer to the order in which the states entered the union. Rob, Mr Spud, or I will post the next state after midnight.
There is more than the state quarters —things that we should see in addition to the cream of your collections and imaginations:
Innovation dollars, Native American dollars, AW quarters—find a state for them, few see them all, this is an opportunity to learn.
Elongated coins
The variety of clashes, die cracks, die deterioration, extreme shelf doubling, and other worthless but visible flaws of the SQs, ATBs and AWs. (Bessie Coleman is Texan, who has the biggest wing chip? if one of your Iowa Effigies has big udders, show them off, Lafayette is not from the states, but we named cities and towns for him).
Top pops and lowballs
Post things that you don’t get opportunities to show
Practice photography and editing
Practice posting photos
Show your interests and learn the interests of other collectors
Check the calendar
Plan ahead
Refresh browsers before posting
Post
If you miss a date, message the photo to us. We can use the announcement post as a placeholder, and edit your post into the right date.
May
Sunday, May 17, 2026 - Delaware - Bombay Hook
Monday, May 18, 2026 - Pennsylvania - Gettysburg
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 - New Jersey - Ellis Island
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 - Georgia - Cumberland Island
Thursday, May 21, 2026 - Connecticut - Weir Farm
Friday, May 22, 2026 - Massachusetts - Lowell
Saturday, May 23, 2026 - Maryland - Ft. McHenry
Sunday, May 24, 2026 - South Carolina - Ft. Moultrie
Monday, May 25, 2026 - New Hampshire - White Mountain
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 - Virginia - Shenandoah
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 - New York - Saratoga
Thursday, May 28, 2026 - North Carolina - Blue Ridge
Friday, May 29, 2026 - Rhode Island - Block Island
Saturday, May 30, 2026 - Vermont - Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller
Sunday, May 31, 2026 - Kentucky - Cumberland Gap
June
Monday, June 1, 2026 - Tennessee - Smokey Mountains
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 - Ohio - Perry’s Victory
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 - Louisiana - Kisatchie
Thursday, June 4, 2026 - Indiana - George Rogers Clark
Friday, June 5, 2026 - Mississippi - Vicksburg
Saturday, June 6, 2026 - Illinois - Shawnee
Sunday, June 7, 2026 - Alabama - Tuskegee Airmen
Monday, June 8, 2026 - Maine - Acadia
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 - Missouri - Ozark Riverways
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - Arkansas - Hot Springs
Thursday, June 11, 2026 - Michigan - Pictured Rocks
Friday, June 12, 2026 - Florida - Everglades
Saturday, June 13, 2026 - Texas - San Antonio Missions
Sunday, June 14, 2026 - Iowa -Effigy Mounds
Monday, June 15, 2026 - Wisconsin -Apostle Island
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 - California - Yosemite
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 - Minnesota - Voyageurs
Thursday, June 18, 2026 - Oregon - Mt. Hood
Friday, June 19, 2026 - Kansas - Tallgrass Prarie
Saturday, June 20, 2026 - West Virginia - Harper’s Ferry
Sunday, June 21, 2026 - Nevada - Great Basin
Monday, June 22, 2026 - Nebraska - Homestead
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - Colorado - Great Sand Dunes
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 - North Dakota - Theodore Roosevelt
Thursday, June 25, 2026 - South Dakota - Mt. Rushmore
Friday, June 26, 2026 - Montana - Glacier
Saturday, June 27, 2026 - Washington - Olympic
Sunday, June 28, 2026 - Idaho - Idaho
Monday, June 29, 2026 - Wyoming - Yellowstone
Tuesday, June 30, 2026 - Utah - Arches
July
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 - New Mexico - Chaco Culture
Thursday, July 2, 2026 - Arizona - Grand Canyon
Friday, July 3, 2026 - Alaska
Saturday, July 4, 2026 - Hawall - Hawai’i Volcanos
Sunday, July 5, 2026 - Hawaii
Sunday May 17
Today we recognize Delaware—widely known for its Nascar oval, called the “Monster Mile”. Moonshiners’ descendants scalp their seats to the Washington D.C. fomo crowd because long green-flag runs and infrequent crashes lack interest.
By coincidence, they run the race today at 1:00 Eastern time. It lasts long enough for two naps (recap the wrecks and have a snack in between).
Countermarked 1975 cent made from a BU roll—the set is complete, I bought it 35 years ago.
Comments
I was born and raised in Delaware. That encouraged me to collect Delaware items.
Most every collector, who has studied U.S. coins, knows about the Delaware commemorative half dollar. The coin was issued in conjunction with a one day celebration, held on June 27, 1938, which observed the 300th anniversary of the landing of the Sweds in Delaware. The half dollar is well known, but the medals which were issued at the same time are not.
Delaware commemorative half dollar
Thiese medals were issued at the same time.
This small bronze medal is listed as a So-Called Dollar. There must have been many of these pieces left over. I bought this one when I was in the fifth grade in 1959, on our class field trip to Dover, Delaware, which is the Capital. The issue price was 50 cents, and that's what I paid for it.
The large bronze medal was priced at $2.50.
The large silver medal was priced at $7.50. That was a lot of money to spend on a medal at the end of the Great Depression and on the heels of the recession of 1937. I hesitate to call things "rare," but this might be one. The late Terry Bryan, who was known as the "Mr, Delaware collector," told me that he knew of only one and that it was impaired.
I spotted this one in an auction, and for one of the few times in my life, I put a "nuclear bid" on it. I won it along with the box of issue, which was in pretty bad shape. The medal is nice.
This piece is not well known. It was a ribbon and medal which was given to honored guests at the celebration.
Here is the cover of the program which was sold that day for 25 cents. I bought this one as a remainder one day when I was at the state museum.
The Sweds also issued a commemorative coin and medals. Here is the Swedish 2 krona coin.
And here are two medals the Sweds issued in copper and silver. I bought these in a Massachusetts auction. I was the only bidder. They were in the original round boxes of issue. One of them had been purchased at the 1939 New York World's Fair.
I have another item from the 19th century, but it has a long history. I'll wait on that one.
Technically that piece is not about Delaware the state. It's the Delaware River. Washington crossed the Delaware River from Pennsylvania to New Jersey.
Coins are Neato!
"If it's a penny for your thoughts and you put in your two cents worth, then someone...somewhere...is making a penny." - Steven Wright
The only coin image that is in my camera roll right now related to Delaware is this one
Mr_Spud
That's no AU 58 !!!!
Top 10 Cal Fractional Type Set
successful BST with Ankurj, BigAl, Bullsitter, CommemKing, DCW(7), DesertMoon, Downtown1974, Elmerfusterpuck, Joelewis, Mach1ne, Minuteman810430, Modcrewman, Nankraut, Nederveit2, Philographer(5), Proofcollection, Realgator, Silverpop, SurfinxHI, TomB and Yorkshireman(3)
Monday May 18 - Pennsylvania
Born here, never lived here. The Battle of Hanover was part of the Gettysburg campaign.
Coins are Neato!
"If it's a penny for your thoughts and you put in your two cents worth, then someone...somewhere...is making a penny." - Steven Wright
Mr_Spud
sorry this thread doesn't have traction
one thing it needs is a post to demarcate between the dates and states
Thats colorful, I like 👍
Post a photo of a State Quarter, please.
Tuesday May 19 —New Jersey
Catch up on this one
Mr_Spud
There’s a small rural community in Warren County, New Jersey called Columbia!
Don’t believe me? Look up zip code 07832. OK, I’m pulling at straws, lol.
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
I was out of the country, so here’s one for Sunday:
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
I missed Monday too:
MS66 w/CAC:
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
Wednesday May 20—Georgia
I remember seeing this in Georgia
Payment for the Union Army.
Greenbacks entering the Civil War.
Along with the Confederacy’s equivalent.
The blue note has nice color to it, I like 👍
Thanks @johnny9434. The Confederate $5. is actually very pink on the front of the note. I don't know why it looks so washed out.
Having grown up in the NY metro area, I had never heard of Stone Mountain until the early 2000’s, when my wife and I attended the wedding of the daughter of a friend in Atlanta. Having free time the day before, we visited Stone Mountain, went to the top, and took the tour. I was fascinated! It’s the Mount Rushmore of the South!
Here are some interesting tidbits. The coin was designed by Gutzon Borglum, and shows the Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. Why is Jefferson Davis missing? Jefferson Davis was intentionally left off the coin because he was still widely considered a political pariah in the North at the time. Borglum also designed the actual sculpture on the mountain, and had severe creative and financial disputes with the Stone Mountain Confederate Monumental Association. He walked away from the project in a huff after having sculpted only the head of Robert E. Lee (some say he was fired) and immediately went on to design and sculpt Mount Rushmore. When the next sculptor took over in 1925, they blasted away Borglum’s work. The project was not completed until 1972.
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
I think this is my only Georgia coin
Mr_Spud
Thursday May 21
Invention of the hamburger—
The Bridgeport commem, celebrating 100 years, has P.T. Barnum, the circus mogul, on the obverse. Why him? As a citizen of Bridgeport, he made many philanthropic and civic contributions to the city, and was even its Mayor in 1875.
The Connecticut commem has the Charter Oak on the obverse. The Charter Oak is Connecticut's most legendary symbol of American independence and resistance to tyranny. According to 17th-century folklore, colonists hid their Royal Charter in the massive white oak's hollow trunk to prevent the English governor from seizing the document.
The story of the Charter Oak is deeply woven into Connecticut's identity. Its significance to the state can be broken down into a few key areas: ln 1662, King Charles II granted the Connecticut Colony a Royal Charter, which allowed the colonists remarkable freedom and the right to largely govern themselves. In 1687, his successor, King James II, attempted to consolidate the New England colonies and sent the Royal Governor, Sir Edmund Andros, to Hartford with armed troops to revoke and seize the document. Legend states that during a tense debate in a candle-lit meeting room, the candles were suddenly blown out. When they were relit, the document had vanished. Captain Joseph Wadsworth had supposedly spirited the Charter away and safely hidden it within the hollow of a massive white oak tree on Wyllys Hill in Hartford.
Because the Charter was kept safe in the oak, Connecticut was able to resume governing itself under its original laws once James II was deposed. The tree became a legendary emblem of colonial defiance, Yankee shrewdness, and the enduring fight for liberty. The original ancient tree—estimated to have been over 800 years old—toppled during a severe storm on August 21, 1856. The city of Hartford famously held a large funeral for it, complete with marching bands playing dirges and tolling church bells.
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
A small farming community in CT. A Ruben Austen who was a silversmith. He also had a hand up in Vermont with their coppers and all aka the Rupert mint
This Civil War Token was made in Connecticut
Mr_Spud
first, the charter oak
the easiest to remember for the masses is the quarter
with the description from the mint:
The reverse (tails) design shows the Charter Oak tree, the hiding spot of Connecticut's 1662 charter from King Charles II and later state constitution.
perhaps it looked close one day in the past
it apparently does not show the hole in the trunk where the charter was hidden
but other images show a tree near the end of its life
there was a photograph from the mid 1800s, just before a storm blew it over.
and finally one taken after the storm on August 21, 1856
it's purple. it's a heart
On August 7, 1782, George Washington created three new military badges that would honor the service of ordinary, common soldiers.
one was the badge for merit. Washington established the creation of a Badge of Military Merit because he was "ever desirous to cherish virtuous ambition in his soldiers. . ." The General Orders explained that "whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings over the left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth, or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding."
The first Badge of Military Merit (“a heart of purple cloth with a narrow lace or binding”) was awarded to 26 year old Sergeant Elijah Churchill of Enfield, Connecticut, a member of the Fourth Troop of the Second Continental Dragoons.
The award fell into disuse following the Revolution and was not proposed again officially until after World War I. On October 10, 1927, Army Chief of Staff General Charles P. Summerall directed that a draft bill be sent to Congress "to revive the Badge of Military Merit."
For reasons unclear, the bill was withdrawn, and action on the case ceased on January 3, 1928, but the Office of The Adjutant General was instructed to file all materials collected for possible future use. (The rough sketch accompanying this proposal showed a circular disc medal with a concave center in which a relief heart appeared. The reverse carried the legend: For Military Merit.)
On January 7, 1931, Summerall's successor, General Douglas MacArthur, confidentially reopened work on a new design, involving the Washington Commission of Fine Arts. His object was a medal issued on the bicentennial of George Washington's birth.
designs were proposed and enacted. it was designated that a wound or fatality was meritous of the award
thus we have the purple heart
This reverse (tails) design portrays an artist, wearing a painter’s smock, painting outside Julian Alden Weir’s studio at Weir Farm. It is inspired by various images of the studio and Weir’s paintings created on the property, as well as descriptions of Weir and his fellow artist’s creative inspiration from the rural environment.
Weir Farm National Historical Park is located in Ridgefield and Wilton, Connecticut. It commemorates the life and work of American impressionist painter J. Alden Weir and other artists who stayed at the site or lived there, to include Childe Hassam, Albert Pinkham Ryder, John Singer Sargent, and John Twachtman.
I was told that the first purple heart was given to a soldier from enfield, ct
Indian Head Cents minted during the Civil War.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Bridgeport,_Connecticut
Friday May 22 - Massachusetts
The Lexington - Concord Commem was made to honor the 150th Anniversary of the initial battles of the American Revolution! The famous Minuteman statue in Concord is on the obverse. This statue was sculpted by the same person known for the sitting Lincoln sculpture at the Lincoln Memorial. The reverse has the Old Belfry.
Pilgrim Commem - To try to force an increase in sales to collectors, they minted one in 1921 too, after the initial issue in 1920. To differentiate them, they added the date “1921” on the obverse of the second one, as the first one (1920) had no date on the obverse! Sales were so bad of the one made in 1921 that about 80,000 out of the roughly 100,000 made were returned unsold to Philadelphia and melted. As a result, the Commem dated 1921 is much tougher to find than the one from 1920.
The Pilgrim Commem has the famous Mayflower on the reverse, which landed at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts. There’s a glaring error on the reverse's Mayflower design: the ship is depicted carrying a "flying jib" (a triangular sail). This sail type had not yet been adopted in marine use in 1620, lol.
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
Mr_Spud
Saturday May 23 - Maryland
Callinectes sapidus -beautiful and savory swimmer.
From my Classic Silver Commem 50 coin Type Set, obviously we have the “Maryland” Commem, but we also have the Antietam Commem!
The Antietam Commem had 50,000 struck, but only about 18,000 were sold, so the remaining 32,000 were returned to Philadelphia and melted. Look at all of the text on it. Wow!
Like many of my 20th century silver coins, many of mine were obviously dipped. But apparently gently enough, as CAC still stickered each of them. Most knowledgeable collectors prefer toned coins, which demonstrates “originality”, but I’m part of the large minority that prefers the eye appeal of highly lustrous, blast white coins that have the look as if they just came off the press, just as the designers envisioned they would look. May my late friend @ricko rest in peace!
I’m going to run out of my Commems for this post before we run out of states, lol.
Steve
My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
Opportunity to post this version in silver !!
F-142/349f Silver Maj. Gen. Geo. B. MClellan
1-0 population.
He who "had the plans" of General Lee and a 2-1 numerical advantage. The losses on both sides were horrific. Sacred Ground ,,,
Top 10 Cal Fractional Type Set
successful BST with Ankurj, BigAl, Bullsitter, CommemKing, DCW(7), DesertMoon, Downtown1974, Elmerfusterpuck, Joelewis, Mach1ne, Minuteman810430, Modcrewman, Nankraut, Nederveit2, Philographer(5), Proofcollection, Realgator, Silverpop, SurfinxHI, TomB and Yorkshireman(3)