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For Those Who Collect Classic Commems, Just Added This New Addition Of A Most Popular Series.
jfriedm56
Posts: 3,013 ✭✭✭✭✭
While not one of the most difficult dates or mint marks to acquire in this popular series, only about 200 exist in this MS67 grade.
For those of us who collect Classic Commems, this has to be one of our favorite series.
My new piece.
26
Comments
Really, nobody has any comments?
I do. The Oregon is one of my favorite designs in the commemorative series and that looks like a nice one.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
@MFeld, thank you Mark. Always appreciate your responses. Zack.
You're on a roll.
Beautiful coin.
Nice acquisition, Zack. Looks every bit a 67.
Tim
Congrats on your new acquisition, it looks very choice. I personally do not collect the series but do have an example of an Oregon in my collection as well.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
A really beautiful coin. A real favorite of mine. That’s one coin that putting together a date set of them a superb project. Strategy would be fill all spaces MS64 or above then upgrade higher as opportunity allowed.
The Oregon Trail is one of the best designs in the classic commemorative series. Your '36-S is very well struck. I sometimes wonder what the collectors of that time thought of a series that was dragged out over a period of 13 years. Was it an obvious money grab? After the initial offerings in 1926, when 48,000 Philadelphia and 83,000 San Francisco coins were sold, most had sales of fewer than 7,000.
Hi Zack - I’m naming you “king commem” - great piece!
Ken
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That’s too funny Ken!!
My favorite among the handful that I like. Beautifully executed. Very Nice example.
Beautiful coin!
BTW, the Wagon side is the obverse.
@CaptHenway, thanks Tom. I saw your reference to this in another post about a new book written by a new member who hadn’t realized this. I had read an article about this same controversy some time ago.
A question for you then: was this done as a marketing tool to make the series more appealing and popular? As the Native American image is so much more powerful than a Conestoga wagon. Even though I get that this was to commemorate the immigration west along the Oregon Trail by wagon. Thanks.
Zack.
That's so obvious it escaped me lol when I put one in my 7070.
I just corrected that.
Beautiful coin @jfriedm56
That' also my favorite commem design
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
I’m sure there are others…… but I’m personally unaware of any other coin with such confusion regarding which side is the reverse & which is the obverse.
I don't think it was "Marketing" as I learned it when I got my degree in Bus. Ad, with a major in Marketing. Nobody was trying to sell anything. I think it was just people trying to be "cute" by putting the Native American in front of the wagon with his hand up as if to say "Stop!"
For the sake of those who did not see the other thread, here are the images I posted from the 1927 Mint Report.
Superb acquisition!
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A very nice example!
A coin in my collection with a mintage of only 3,000 pieces. The lowest in the series.
Mark Goodman image
Design:
Obverse: According to the designers, the Indian side is the obverse. James Earle Fraser designer, model by Laura Gardin Fraser. Ninety-eight percent of the collectors, dealers and numismatists prefer/refer to the American Indian representation as the obverse side, I’m with the 98%. How-be-it, since the Mint appears to have the last word, the official obverse is the wagon side. Depicted is a Conestoga wagon drawn by two oxen going over a hill, guided by a figure holding a stick or branch. All are trekking westward toward the setting sun, whose rays extend across the upper field. The inscription OREGON TRAIL MEMORIAL, as well as five small decorative stars located below the inscription, appear in the field above the date of issue. Our motto IN GOD WE TRUST is observed in the upper border, while the designer’s initials [JE], [F], [LG ] are located at the three o’clock position, or in back of the Conestoga wagon. Laura Gardin Fraser designed the Alabama, Grant (both the silver and gold denominations) and the Fort Vancouver issues.
Reverse: Portrayed is an American Indian who appears to be signaling to an advancing person or group of individuals that all should come to a stop—similar to the indication given by today’s traffic policeman. No individual tribe is represented. Facing to his left or the coin’s right, the Indian is wearing a long feathered bonnet. He holds a bow in his right hand, while he has a blanket situated over his left -shoulder. Extending on both sides of the Indian is an outline of the map of the United States, with a line of Conestoga wagon indicating the Oregon Trail.
An inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is observed superimposed on the map. The denomination appears in the lower border, while the mintmark—if the coin should posses such, is located to the right of the letter F in the word HALF.
Great addition to your set. Congrats.
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Beautiful high-end example!
Superb addition!!
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I just want to thank everyone for their kind words and thoughtful comments.
For those of us who collect Classic Commems, or need one in our type set, the Oregon Trail series seem to be the go to pick, (or possibly 1or2 others).
Zack.
1) Oregon commem
2) Texas commem
3) Connecticut commems
My top 3 and not necessarily in that order