A few readers got in touch with suggestions, and two of them made it in.
First, prices are down: paperback $39.99 (was $44.99), hardcover $59.99 (was $64.99). For a book meant to be used at the table, it should feel like a tool, not an investment.
Second, there's now a collector's checklist at the back — all 50 types, with space for year, mint, grade, CAC, and purchase price. Mintage included for each, so you know what you're dealing with before you go looking. It's the kind of page that gets dog-eared.
All three editions updated. Link in my signature as always.
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
congratulations, what a beauty! The rainbow-toning on the bottom of the obverse looks fantastic and is truly an eye catcher.
I just got my hands on a raw 1935 San Diego, will share some pcitures once it arrived.
Enjoy!
Max
Thanks Max.
Can't wait to see your new coin
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
Congrats on the book I just grabbed the hard cover version on Amazon.
My avatar is my first and only so far but will need to read your book and ready myself for when the opportunity comes along. Seems like the Carvers are plenty as I've seen a few of those, randomly.
@Coinscratch said:
Congrats on the book I just grabbed the hard cover version on Amazon.
My avatar is my first and only so far but will need to read your book and ready myself for when the opportunity comes along. Seems like the Carvers are plenty as I've seen a few of those, randomly.
Thank you, @Coinscratch — genuinely appreciate you picking up the hardcover.
And that Texas is something else. 1935-D MS67+ CAC — that's not just a type coin, that's a coin you build a collection around. Starting with one like that sets a standard that's going to be difficult to live up to.
You're right about the Carvers — plenty around, but the book will give you a better sense of what to actually look for when the time comes. Not all "available" is created equal.
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
@Coinscratch said:
Congrats on the book I just grabbed the hard cover version on Amazon.
My avatar is my first and only so far but will need to read your book and ready myself for when the opportunity comes along. Seems like the Carvers are plenty as I've seen a few of those, randomly.
That is one of the most amazing coins I have ever seen!
What are the odds? A fun Commemorative coincidence!
I wanted to share a crazy little numismatic coincidence I just noticed few days ago with my Oregon Trail Memorial halves.
A few months ago, I bought a beautiful 1937-D Oregon from one seller. Fast forward to recently, and I picked up another stunning piece – a 1926– this time from different seller. Two completely different transactions, from two different collectors, separated by several months.
Recently, while looking at them side-by-side, I realized two things. First, they share a very similar, beautiful toning profile. Second, and most mind-blowing... I looked at the PCGS slabs.
Cert numbers: 9418611 and 9418612. They are consecutive!
These two coins were clearly submitted to PCGS together by the same collector years ago. They likely sat in the same old album or cabinet developing that matching patina, got separated in the market at some point, and somehow ended up reuniting in my collection all the way in Poland!
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
For anyone interested: the book was featured in last week's E-Sylum — issue 29, number 31. Full write-up, including details on the limited signed-and-numbered edition available through Jeff Starck.
If you're interested in the limited edition — signed, numbered, with a bookplate featuring one of the 50 coin types — reach out to Jeff directly at jeffstarck@hotmail.com. As of early August, a handful were already spoken for.
I'll admit it's a strange feeling to see your own name in the E-Sylum. A good kind of strange.
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
@MarcinRotocki said:
Those notes became a book. "Half a Dollar of History" — 50 chapters, one per type, Columbian through Carver-Washington. Grading guides, set-building strategy, auction values from April 2026, PCGS coin photography throughout.
I wrote a book on French coins a couple years ago. I appreciate the effort and dedication required to produce a book. Well done on your commemoratives tome!
@cinque1543 Thank you — and yes, I think only someone who's actually done it understands what goes into it. The writing is the visible part. Everything before that is less glamorous.
I wasn't aware of your French coin book — what did you cover?
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
What a beautiful coin. Are you planning to send it in for grading?
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
Post a photo of your favorite coin — doesn't matter what series, doesn't matter the grade or rarity — and tell me why it's the one that stuck with you. Sometimes it's not the best coin in the box that means the most.
Entries close Thursday, August 27, 11:59 PM ET. I'll pick a winner myself — no voting, just whichever story grabs me — and announce it Sunday, August 30.
The prize: a signed, personally inscribed copy from a small run of 20 I had printed in Poland — outside the regular Amazon print-on-demand. Once those 20 are gone, they're gone.
And since I clearly can't help myself — I'll be judging the photo, but mostly the story. Same rule I followed writing the book: a good story beats a good grade every time.
Show me what you've got.
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
@MarcinRotocki said:
Let's do something fun for the next 10 days.
Post a photo of your favorite coin — doesn't matter what series, doesn't matter the grade or rarity — and tell me why it's the one that stuck with you. Sometimes it's not the best coin in the box that means the most.
Entries close Thursday, August 27, 11:59 PM ET. I'll pick a winner myself — no voting, just whichever story grabs me — and announce it Sunday, August 30.
The prize: a signed, personally inscribed copy from a small run of 20 I had printed in Poland — outside the regular Amazon print-on-demand. Once those 20 are gone, they're gone.
And since I clearly can't help myself — I'll be judging the photo, but mostly the story. Same rule I followed writing the book: a good story beats a good grade every time.
Thanks for not only your initial post but also for making the effort to respond to so many who have offered responses. I am looking forward to learning more from your research about the commemoratives that I have picked up over the years.
FWIW the most recent was a Hawaiian sourced from one of your own listed sources, Northeast Numismatics.
Some time ago I wrote a script for a then running Hawaii based TV show that included in the narrative a Hawaiian Commemorative that factually had been stolen from the Hawaii bank at which it had been displayed circa 1928. In the script that stolen coin surfaced today in a most unusual manner snd subsequently came to the attention of the show's Task Force "detectives." In the script I not only included historical references to the original theft of the 1928 Hawaiian Commemorative, but also to its designer, Hawaii born artist Juliette Fraser. (The script did not get picked up before the TV Show was canceled.)
You may find the artist's personal story to be of special interest given her work in Europe as well as Hawaii as referenced below: While she did not paint in Poland, you can travel to the Greek island of Chios to see her paintings in a chapel there.
Based upon the research I did for the script here is the story of the artist who designed the 1928 Hawaiian Commemorative:
Hawaiian Born Artist Juliette Fraser
“The Dean of Hawaiian Painters” and 1st Hawaiian Born Painter to Feature Hawaiian Culture
Among the coins I have collected is one which was designed by the first Hawaiian born artist to feature Hawaiian culture in her paintings.
A Punahou graduated emerging Hawaiian born artist, born in 1887, Juliette Fraser was tasked with designing the 1928 Sesquicentennial Commemorative Coin commemorating the 150th anniversary of Captain Cook’s landing in the Hawaiian Islands. For her depiction of a Hawaiian Chief she used as a model the King Kamehameha Statue that stood in front of the then Territorial Court House.
Today that half dollar coin with Captain Cook on the obverse is one of the most prized of all United States commemorative coins and among coin collectors is known as a key issue in the silver commemorative series. It is relatively rare due to its low mintage of 10,000 coins and early date.
A decade later Juliette Fraser was commissioned to produce a mural for Hawaii’s building and exhibit at the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition in San Francisco. The mural depicted Native Hawaiian offerings during the season of Makahiki. That 13-panel mural now stands today in the lobby of the University of Hawaii’s Hamilton Library.
This week I just learned of another mural located here on Oahu that was painted by Juliette Fraser which is located in a private penthouse condo. It had almost been painted over by a subsequent purchaser of the condo but fortunately wasn’t and today it is reportedly valued at over half a million dollars. On occasion art students from the University of Hawaii are invited for private viewings.
The mural depicts a Chinese official on one side and what appears to be a member of Hawaiian Royalty on the other with a Hawaiian maiden in the middle. The presence of masted sailing ships confronting a Hawaiian outrigger suggest the theme of Chinese immigration to Hawaii and the likely original condo owner who would have commissioned it being of Chinese ancestry. Without success I have attempted to locate a publicly available photo so for the present the best I can offer is my above description from my viewing of a recently taken private photo.
Other works of art by Fraser can be seen in various public buildings in Hawaii but one of her most unique artistic effort is preserved in a small chapel on the Greek island of Chios where the artist spent some time during the early 1960s. As a gift to the community she painted murals to cover the entire interior of the chapel.
Born in 1887 to school teacher parents who had located in Hawaii, she died in 1983. She has been heralded as the first Hawaiian born artist to focus on paintings of Hawaiian culture. She has been described as “the dean of island painters” and herself as a once “living treasure.”
My specimen as it was listed by Northeast Numismatics:
@1northcoin said:
Thanks for not only your initial post but also for making the effort to respond to so many who have offered responses. I am looking forward to learning more from your research about the commemoratives that I have picked up over the years.
FWIW the most recent was a Hawaiian sourced from one of your own listed sources, Northeast Numismatics.
Some time ago I wrote a script for a then running Hawaii based TV show that included in the narrative a Hawaiian Commemorative that factually had been stolen from the Hawaii bank at which it had been displayed circa 1928. In the script that stolen coin surfaced today in a most unusual manner snd subsequently came to the attention of the show's Task Force "detectives." In the script I not only included historical references to the original theft of the 1928 Hawaiian Commemorative, but also to its designer, Hawaii born artist Juliette Fraser. (The script did not get picked up before the TV Show was canceled.)
You may find the artist's personal story to be of special interest given her work in Europe as well as Hawaii as referenced below: While she did not paint in Poland, you can travel to the Greek island of Chios to see her paintings in a chapel there.
Based upon the research I did for the script here is the story of the artist who designed the 1928 Hawaiian Commemorative:
Hawaiian Born Artist Juliette Fraser
“The Dean of Hawaiian Painters” and 1st Hawaiian Born Painter to Feature Hawaiian Culture
Among the coins I have collected is one which was designed by the first Hawaiian born artist to feature Hawaiian culture in her paintings.
A Punahou graduated emerging Hawaiian born artist, born in 1887, Juliette Fraser was tasked with designing the 1928 Sesquicentennial Commemorative Coin commemorating the 150th anniversary of Captain Cook’s landing in the Hawaiian Islands. For her depiction of a Hawaiian Chief she used as a model the King Kamehameha Statue that stood in front of the then Territorial Court House.
Today that half dollar coin with Captain Cook on the obverse is one of the most prized of all United States commemorative coins and among coin collectors is known as a key issue in the silver commemorative series. It is relatively rare due to its low mintage of 10,000 coins and early date.
A decade later Juliette Fraser was commissioned to produce a mural for Hawaii’s building and exhibit at the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition in San Francisco. The mural depicted Native Hawaiian offerings during the season of Makahiki. That 13-panel mural now stands today in the lobby of the University of Hawaii’s Hamilton Library.
This week I just learned of another mural located here on Oahu that was painted by Juliette Fraser which is located in a private penthouse condo. It had almost been painted over by a subsequent purchaser of the condo but fortunately wasn’t and today it is reportedly valued at over half a million dollars. On occasion art students from the University of Hawaii are invited for private viewings.
The mural depicts a Chinese official on one side and what appears to be a member of Hawaiian Royalty on the other with a Hawaiian maiden in the middle. The presence of masted sailing ships confronting a Hawaiian outrigger suggest the theme of Chinese immigration to Hawaii and the likely original condo owner who would have commissioned it being of Chinese ancestry. Without success I have attempted to locate a publicly available photo so for the present the best I can offer is my above description from my viewing of a recently taken private photo.
Other works of art by Fraser can be seen in various public buildings in Hawaii but one of her most unique artistic effort is preserved in a small chapel on the Greek island of Chios where the artist spent some time during the early 1960s. As a gift to the community she painted murals to cover the entire interior of the chapel.
Born in 1887 to school teacher parents who had located in Hawaii, she died in 1983. She has been heralded as the first Hawaiian born artist to focus on paintings of Hawaiian culture. She has been described as “the dean of island painters” and herself as a once “living treasure.”
My specimen as it was listed by Northeast Numismatics:
Thank you for such a fantastic story — honestly, I think you captured exactly what I was trying to get across in the book. Classic commemoratives were never just coins to me. Each one is really a miniature work of art, carrying its own symbolism and hidden meaning, with an entire piece of history compressed onto that small silver disc. Your Hawaiian, and the story behind it, is a perfect example of that.
It's a real shame the show never got picked up, because I would have loved to watch an episode built around that coin. A stolen commemorative resurfacing decades later and pulling in a task force of detectives — that's a better plot than most things currently on TV.
And I have to say, I'm genuinely pleased my Northeast Numismatics recommendation turned out to be useful — maybe I should have a word with them about some kind of referral fee at this point
Congratulations on a beautiful addition to your collection. I'm looking forward to whatever story comes next.
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
@1northcoin said:
Thanks for not only your initial post but also for making the effort to respond to so many who have offered responses. I am looking forward to learning more from your research about the commemoratives that I have picked up over the years.
FWIW the most recent was a Hawaiian sourced from one of your own listed sources, Northeast Numismatics.
Some time ago I wrote a script for a then running Hawaii based TV show that included in the narrative a Hawaiian Commemorative that factually had been stolen from the Hawaii bank at which it had been displayed circa 1928. In the script that stolen coin surfaced today in a most unusual manner snd subsequently came to the attention of the show's Task Force "detectives." In the script I not only included historical references to the original theft of the 1928 Hawaiian Commemorative, but also to its designer, Hawaii born artist Juliette Fraser. (The script did not get picked up before the TV Show was canceled.)
You may find the artist's personal story to be of special interest given her work in Europe as well as Hawaii as referenced below: While she did not paint in Poland, you can travel to the Greek island of Chios to see her paintings in a chapel there.
Based upon the research I did for the script here is the story of the artist who designed the 1928 Hawaiian Commemorative:
Hawaiian Born Artist Juliette Fraser
“The Dean of Hawaiian Painters” and 1st Hawaiian Born Painter to Feature Hawaiian Culture
Among the coins I have collected is one which was designed by the first Hawaiian born artist to feature Hawaiian culture in her paintings.
A Punahou graduated emerging Hawaiian born artist, born in 1887, Juliette Fraser was tasked with designing the 1928 Sesquicentennial Commemorative Coin commemorating the 150th anniversary of Captain Cook’s landing in the Hawaiian Islands. For her depiction of a Hawaiian Chief she used as a model the King Kamehameha Statue that stood in front of the then Territorial Court House.
Today that half dollar coin with Captain Cook on the obverse is one of the most prized of all United States commemorative coins and among coin collectors is known as a key issue in the silver commemorative series. It is relatively rare due to its low mintage of 10,000 coins and early date.
A decade later Juliette Fraser was commissioned to produce a mural for Hawaii’s building and exhibit at the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition in San Francisco. The mural depicted Native Hawaiian offerings during the season of Makahiki. That 13-panel mural now stands today in the lobby of the University of Hawaii’s Hamilton Library.
This week I just learned of another mural located here on Oahu that was painted by Juliette Fraser which is located in a private penthouse condo. It had almost been painted over by a subsequent purchaser of the condo but fortunately wasn’t and today it is reportedly valued at over half a million dollars. On occasion art students from the University of Hawaii are invited for private viewings.
The mural depicts a Chinese official on one side and what appears to be a member of Hawaiian Royalty on the other with a Hawaiian maiden in the middle. The presence of masted sailing ships confronting a Hawaiian outrigger suggest the theme of Chinese immigration to Hawaii and the likely original condo owner who would have commissioned it being of Chinese ancestry. Without success I have attempted to locate a publicly available photo so for the present the best I can offer is my above description from my viewing of a recently taken private photo.
Other works of art by Fraser can be seen in various public buildings in Hawaii but one of her most unique artistic effort is preserved in a small chapel on the Greek island of Chios where the artist spent some time during the early 1960s. As a gift to the community she painted murals to cover the entire interior of the chapel.
Born in 1887 to school teacher parents who had located in Hawaii, she died in 1983. She has been heralded as the first Hawaiian born artist to focus on paintings of Hawaiian culture. She has been described as “the dean of island painters” and herself as a once “living treasure.”
My specimen as it was listed by Northeast Numismatics:
Thank you for such a fantastic story — honestly, I think you captured exactly what I was trying to get across in the book. Classic commemoratives were never just coins to me. Each one is really a miniature work of art, carrying its own symbolism and hidden meaning, with an entire piece of history compressed onto that small silver disc. Your Hawaiian, and the story behind it, is a perfect example of that.
It's a real shame the show never got picked up, because I would have loved to watch an episode built around that coin. A stolen commemorative resurfacing decades later and pulling in a task force of detectives — that's a better plot than most things currently on TV.
And I have to say, I'm genuinely pleased my Northeast Numismatics recommendation turned out to be useful — maybe I should have a word with them about some kind of referral fee at this point
Congratulations on a beautiful addition to your collection. I'm looking forward to whatever story comes next.
Thanks for the feedback. Actually my recently acquired Hawaiian was acquired prior to seeing this thread, so there goes the referral fee.
Regarding the show episode I had written, the effort was prompted by having appeared as a "Background Actor"on a Halloween themed episode of Hawaii Five-0. In my script I attempted to pay homage to an episode featured in the original Hawaii Five-O TV series that aired in 1973 titled, "The $100,000 Nickel." In it a 1913 Liberty Head Nickel was stolen at a Hawaii coin show.
Here are some added photos:
The previously mentioned mural by Juliette Fraser, the Hawaii artist who designed the 1928 Hawaiian Commemorative: (The mural now hangs in the Hamilton Library on the Manoa Campus of the University of Hawaii.)
The statue of King Kamehameha that the artist used as a model for the Hawaiian Chiefton that appears on the reverse of the Hawaiian Commemorative:
In addition to the stolen Hawaiian Commemorative included in my script, I included a coin that I own which through auction records is likely the first 1850 Double Eagle to have been minted:
And here are some photos of my appearance in the episode of Hawaii Five-0 that prompted my writing of the script paying homage to the numismatically related episode of the original Hawaii Five-O series: (My character was "Costumed Party Guest wit Upscale Car" and apart from background, my principal acting part was exiting the Halloween Party's Party Bus.)
@1northcoin said:
Thanks for not only your initial post but also for making the effort to respond to so many who have offered responses. I am looking forward to learning more from your research about the commemoratives that I have picked up over the years.
FWIW the most recent was a Hawaiian sourced from one of your own listed sources, Northeast Numismatics.
Some time ago I wrote a script for a then running Hawaii based TV show that included in the narrative a Hawaiian Commemorative that factually had been stolen from the Hawaii bank at which it had been displayed circa 1928. In the script that stolen coin surfaced today in a most unusual manner snd subsequently came to the attention of the show's Task Force "detectives." In the script I not only included historical references to the original theft of the 1928 Hawaiian Commemorative, but also to its designer, Hawaii born artist Juliette Fraser. (The script did not get picked up before the TV Show was canceled.)
You may find the artist's personal story to be of special interest given her work in Europe as well as Hawaii as referenced below: While she did not paint in Poland, you can travel to the Greek island of Chios to see her paintings in a chapel there.
Based upon the research I did for the script here is the story of the artist who designed the 1928 Hawaiian Commemorative:
Hawaiian Born Artist Juliette Fraser
“The Dean of Hawaiian Painters” and 1st Hawaiian Born Painter to Feature Hawaiian Culture
Among the coins I have collected is one which was designed by the first Hawaiian born artist to feature Hawaiian culture in her paintings.
A Punahou graduated emerging Hawaiian born artist, born in 1887, Juliette Fraser was tasked with designing the 1928 Sesquicentennial Commemorative Coin commemorating the 150th anniversary of Captain Cook’s landing in the Hawaiian Islands. For her depiction of a Hawaiian Chief she used as a model the King Kamehameha Statue that stood in front of the then Territorial Court House.
Today that half dollar coin with Captain Cook on the obverse is one of the most prized of all United States commemorative coins and among coin collectors is known as a key issue in the silver commemorative series. It is relatively rare due to its low mintage of 10,000 coins and early date.
A decade later Juliette Fraser was commissioned to produce a mural for Hawaii’s building and exhibit at the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition in San Francisco. The mural depicted Native Hawaiian offerings during the season of Makahiki. That 13-panel mural now stands today in the lobby of the University of Hawaii’s Hamilton Library.
This week I just learned of another mural located here on Oahu that was painted by Juliette Fraser which is located in a private penthouse condo. It had almost been painted over by a subsequent purchaser of the condo but fortunately wasn’t and today it is reportedly valued at over half a million dollars. On occasion art students from the University of Hawaii are invited for private viewings.
The mural depicts a Chinese official on one side and what appears to be a member of Hawaiian Royalty on the other with a Hawaiian maiden in the middle. The presence of masted sailing ships confronting a Hawaiian outrigger suggest the theme of Chinese immigration to Hawaii and the likely original condo owner who would have commissioned it being of Chinese ancestry. Without success I have attempted to locate a publicly available photo so for the present the best I can offer is my above description from my viewing of a recently taken private photo.
Other works of art by Fraser can be seen in various public buildings in Hawaii but one of her most unique artistic effort is preserved in a small chapel on the Greek island of Chios where the artist spent some time during the early 1960s. As a gift to the community she painted murals to cover the entire interior of the chapel.
Born in 1887 to school teacher parents who had located in Hawaii, she died in 1983. She has been heralded as the first Hawaiian born artist to focus on paintings of Hawaiian culture. She has been described as “the dean of island painters” and herself as a once “living treasure.”
My specimen as it was listed by Northeast Numismatics:
Thank you for such a fantastic story — honestly, I think you captured exactly what I was trying to get across in the book. Classic commemoratives were never just coins to me. Each one is really a miniature work of art, carrying its own symbolism and hidden meaning, with an entire piece of history compressed onto that small silver disc. Your Hawaiian, and the story behind it, is a perfect example of that.
It's a real shame the show never got picked up, because I would have loved to watch an episode built around that coin. A stolen commemorative resurfacing decades later and pulling in a task force of detectives — that's a better plot than most things currently on TV.
And I have to say, I'm genuinely pleased my Northeast Numismatics recommendation turned out to be useful — maybe I should have a word with them about some kind of referral fee at this point
Congratulations on a beautiful addition to your collection. I'm looking forward to whatever story comes next.
Thanks for the feedback. Actually my recently acquired Hawaiian was acquired prior to seeing this thread, so there goes the referral fee.
Regarding the show episode I had written, the effort was prompted by having appeared as a "Background Actor"on a Halloween themed episode of Hawaii Five-0. In my script I attempted to pay homage to an episode featured in the original Hawaii Five-O TV series that aired in 1973 titled, "The $100,000 Nickel." In it a 1913 Liberty Head Nickel was stolen at a Hawaii coin show.
Here are some added photos:
The previously mentioned mural by Juliette Fraser, the Hawaii artist who designed the 1928 Hawaiian Commemorative: (The mural now hangs in the Hamilton Library on the Manoa Campus of the University of Hawaii.)
The statue of King Kamehameha that the artist used as a model for the Hawaiian Chiefton that appears on the reverse of the Hawaiian Commemorative:
In addition to the stolen Hawaiian Commemorative included in my script, I included a coin that I own which through auction records is likely the first 1850 Double Eagle to have been minted:
And here are some photos of my appearance in the episode of Hawaii Five-0 that prompted my writing of the script paying homage to the numismatically related episode of the original Hawaii Five-O series: (My character was "Costumed Party Guest wit Upscale Car" and apart from background, my principal acting part was exiting the Halloween Party's Party Bus.)
Fellow actors on the Party Bus:
My exiting the Party Bus:
As a "Background Actor" at the Halloween Party:
Fellow actors awaiting set calls:
Ha — the timing gods were not on my side with that referral fee. Next time.
"The $100,000 Nickel" is a great reference point, and paying homage to it in your own script is a nice touch — a 1913 Liberty Head stolen at a Hawaii coin show practically writes itself as a plot.
But the 1850 Double Eagle might be the real showstopper here. If the auction record genuinely points to it being the first one struck, that's not just a nice coin — that's a coin with a claim to a very specific piece of Mint history. I don't come across those often.
And the Hawaii Five-0 photos are a great bonus. "Costumed Party Guest with Upscale Car" exiting the Party Bus is a role I did not expect to see tied to a numismatic story, but here we are. Thank you for sharing all of this — this is turning into one of the best entries I could have hoped for.
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
That's true. Oregon is one of the nicest designs. But to be honest, I like them all. Right now I'm looking for a Texas with a beautiful toning, but it's quite a challenge.
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
@MarcinRotocki said:
That's true. Oregon is one of the nicest designs. But to be honest, I like them all. Right now I'm looking for a Texas with a beautiful toning, but it's quite a challenge.
Comments
Hi Marcin,
congratulations, what a beauty! The rainbow-toning on the bottom of the obverse looks fantastic and is truly an eye catcher.
I just got my hands on a raw 1935 San Diego, will share some pcitures once it arrived.
Enjoy!
Max
Quick update on the book.
A few readers got in touch with suggestions, and two of them made it in.
First, prices are down: paperback $39.99 (was $44.99), hardcover $59.99 (was $64.99). For a book meant to be used at the table, it should feel like a tool, not an investment.
Second, there's now a collector's checklist at the back — all 50 types, with space for year, mint, grade, CAC, and purchase price. Mintage included for each, so you know what you're dealing with before you go looking. It's the kind of page that gets dog-eared.
All three editions updated. Link in my signature as always.
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
Thanks Max.
Can't wait to see your new coin
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
Congrats on the book I just grabbed the hard cover version on Amazon.
My avatar is my first and only so far but will need to read your book and ready myself for when the opportunity comes along. Seems like the Carvers are plenty as I've seen a few of those, randomly.
Beautiful Texas, @Coinscratch!
Tim
Thank you, @Coinscratch — genuinely appreciate you picking up the hardcover.
And that Texas is something else. 1935-D MS67+ CAC — that's not just a type coin, that's a coin you build a collection around. Starting with one like that sets a standard that's going to be difficult to live up to.
You're right about the Carvers — plenty around, but the book will give you a better sense of what to actually look for when the time comes. Not all "available" is created equal.
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
That is one of the most amazing coins I have ever seen!
Thanks for sharing
Max
What are the odds? A fun Commemorative coincidence!
I wanted to share a crazy little numismatic coincidence I just noticed few days ago with my Oregon Trail Memorial halves.
A few months ago, I bought a beautiful 1937-D Oregon from one seller. Fast forward to recently, and I picked up another stunning piece – a 1926– this time from different seller. Two completely different transactions, from two different collectors, separated by several months.
Recently, while looking at them side-by-side, I realized two things. First, they share a very similar, beautiful toning profile. Second, and most mind-blowing... I looked at the PCGS slabs.
Cert numbers: 9418611 and 9418612. They are consecutive!
These two coins were clearly submitted to PCGS together by the same collector years ago. They likely sat in the same old album or cabinet developing that matching patina, got separated in the market at some point, and somehow ended up reuniting in my collection all the way in Poland!
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
That's insane @MarcinRotocki . The previous cert # is a Bridgeport and the later # is an Oregon Trail.
Thank you @LangerWilli She stood out like a sore thumb in the case next to her was a (same) PCGS 67 but really didn't compare in the eye appeal dept.
@MarcinRotocki, that’s crazy Man. Great observation. Love stuff like that.
Zack.
Now I need to find Bridgeport:)
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
For anyone interested: the book was featured in last week's E-Sylum — issue 29, number 31. Full write-up, including details on the limited signed-and-numbered edition available through Jeff Starck.
https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n31.html#article2
If you're interested in the limited edition — signed, numbered, with a bookplate featuring one of the 50 coin types — reach out to Jeff directly at jeffstarck@hotmail.com. As of early August, a handful were already spoken for.
I'll admit it's a strange feeling to see your own name in the E-Sylum. A good kind of strange.
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
I wrote a book on French coins a couple years ago. I appreciate the effort and dedication required to produce a book. Well done on your commemoratives tome!
@cinque1543 Thank you — and yes, I think only someone who's actually done it understands what goes into it. The writing is the visible part. Everything before that is less glamorous.
I wasn't aware of your French coin book — what did you cover?
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
What a beautiful coin. Are you planning to send it in for grading?
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
It looks like it might already be graded. NGC? ANACS?
Let's do something fun for the next 10 days.
Post a photo of your favorite coin — doesn't matter what series, doesn't matter the grade or rarity — and tell me why it's the one that stuck with you. Sometimes it's not the best coin in the box that means the most.
Entries close Thursday, August 27, 11:59 PM ET. I'll pick a winner myself — no voting, just whichever story grabs me — and announce it Sunday, August 30.
The prize: a signed, personally inscribed copy from a small run of 20 I had printed in Poland — outside the regular Amazon print-on-demand. Once those 20 are gone, they're gone.
And since I clearly can't help myself — I'll be judging the photo, but mostly the story. Same rule I followed writing the book: a good story beats a good grade every time.
Show me what you've got.
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
A generous offer, i like 👍
Thanks for not only your initial post but also for making the effort to respond to so many who have offered responses. I am looking forward to learning more from your research about the commemoratives that I have picked up over the years.
FWIW the most recent was a Hawaiian sourced from one of your own listed sources, Northeast Numismatics.
Some time ago I wrote a script for a then running Hawaii based TV show that included in the narrative a Hawaiian Commemorative that factually had been stolen from the Hawaii bank at which it had been displayed circa 1928. In the script that stolen coin surfaced today in a most unusual manner snd subsequently came to the attention of the show's Task Force "detectives." In the script I not only included historical references to the original theft of the 1928 Hawaiian Commemorative, but also to its designer, Hawaii born artist Juliette Fraser. (The script did not get picked up before the TV Show was canceled.)
You may find the artist's personal story to be of special interest given her work in Europe as well as Hawaii as referenced below: While she did not paint in Poland, you can travel to the Greek island of Chios to see her paintings in a chapel there.
Based upon the research I did for the script here is the story of the artist who designed the 1928 Hawaiian Commemorative:
Hawaiian Born Artist Juliette Fraser
“The Dean of Hawaiian Painters” and 1st Hawaiian Born Painter to Feature Hawaiian Culture
Among the coins I have collected is one which was designed by the first Hawaiian born artist to feature Hawaiian culture in her paintings.
A Punahou graduated emerging Hawaiian born artist, born in 1887, Juliette Fraser was tasked with designing the 1928 Sesquicentennial Commemorative Coin commemorating the 150th anniversary of Captain Cook’s landing in the Hawaiian Islands. For her depiction of a Hawaiian Chief she used as a model the King Kamehameha Statue that stood in front of the then Territorial Court House.
Today that half dollar coin with Captain Cook on the obverse is one of the most prized of all United States commemorative coins and among coin collectors is known as a key issue in the silver commemorative series. It is relatively rare due to its low mintage of 10,000 coins and early date.
A decade later Juliette Fraser was commissioned to produce a mural for Hawaii’s building and exhibit at the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition in San Francisco. The mural depicted Native Hawaiian offerings during the season of Makahiki. That 13-panel mural now stands today in the lobby of the University of Hawaii’s Hamilton Library.
This week I just learned of another mural located here on Oahu that was painted by Juliette Fraser which is located in a private penthouse condo. It had almost been painted over by a subsequent purchaser of the condo but fortunately wasn’t and today it is reportedly valued at over half a million dollars. On occasion art students from the University of Hawaii are invited for private viewings.
The mural depicts a Chinese official on one side and what appears to be a member of Hawaiian Royalty on the other with a Hawaiian maiden in the middle. The presence of masted sailing ships confronting a Hawaiian outrigger suggest the theme of Chinese immigration to Hawaii and the likely original condo owner who would have commissioned it being of Chinese ancestry. Without success I have attempted to locate a publicly available photo so for the present the best I can offer is my above description from my viewing of a recently taken private photo.
Other works of art by Fraser can be seen in various public buildings in Hawaii but one of her most unique artistic effort is preserved in a small chapel on the Greek island of Chios where the artist spent some time during the early 1960s. As a gift to the community she painted murals to cover the entire interior of the chapel.
Born in 1887 to school teacher parents who had located in Hawaii, she died in 1983. She has been heralded as the first Hawaiian born artist to focus on paintings of Hawaiian culture. She has been described as “the dean of island painters” and herself as a once “living treasure.”
My specimen as it was listed by Northeast Numismatics:
Thank you for such a fantastic story — honestly, I think you captured exactly what I was trying to get across in the book. Classic commemoratives were never just coins to me. Each one is really a miniature work of art, carrying its own symbolism and hidden meaning, with an entire piece of history compressed onto that small silver disc. Your Hawaiian, and the story behind it, is a perfect example of that.
It's a real shame the show never got picked up, because I would have loved to watch an episode built around that coin. A stolen commemorative resurfacing decades later and pulling in a task force of detectives — that's a better plot than most things currently on TV.
And I have to say, I'm genuinely pleased my Northeast Numismatics recommendation turned out to be useful — maybe I should have a word with them about some kind of referral fee at this point
Congratulations on a beautiful addition to your collection. I'm looking forward to whatever story comes next.
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
Thanks for the feedback. Actually my recently acquired Hawaiian was acquired prior to seeing this thread, so there goes the referral fee.
Regarding the show episode I had written, the effort was prompted by having appeared as a "Background Actor"on a Halloween themed episode of Hawaii Five-0. In my script I attempted to pay homage to an episode featured in the original Hawaii Five-O TV series that aired in 1973 titled, "The $100,000 Nickel." In it a 1913 Liberty Head Nickel was stolen at a Hawaii coin show.
Here are some added photos:
The previously mentioned mural by Juliette Fraser, the Hawaii artist who designed the 1928 Hawaiian Commemorative: (The mural now hangs in the Hamilton Library on the Manoa Campus of the University of Hawaii.)
The statue of King Kamehameha that the artist used as a model for the Hawaiian Chiefton that appears on the reverse of the Hawaiian Commemorative:
In addition to the stolen Hawaiian Commemorative included in my script, I included a coin that I own which through auction records is likely the first 1850 Double Eagle to have been minted:
And here are some photos of my appearance in the episode of Hawaii Five-0 that prompted my writing of the script paying homage to the numismatically related episode of the original Hawaii Five-O series: (My character was "Costumed Party Guest wit Upscale Car" and apart from background, my principal acting part was exiting the Halloween Party's Party Bus.)
Fellow actors on the Party Bus:
My exiting the Party Bus:
As a "Background Actor" at the Halloween Party:
Fellow actors awaiting set calls:
It's already graded. Image courtesy of Mark Goodman.
Ha — the timing gods were not on my side with that referral fee. Next time.
"The $100,000 Nickel" is a great reference point, and paying homage to it in your own script is a nice touch — a 1913 Liberty Head stolen at a Hawaii coin show practically writes itself as a plot.
But the 1850 Double Eagle might be the real showstopper here. If the auction record genuinely points to it being the first one struck, that's not just a nice coin — that's a coin with a claim to a very specific piece of Mint history. I don't come across those often.
And the Hawaii Five-0 photos are a great bonus. "Costumed Party Guest with Upscale Car" exiting the Party Bus is a role I did not expect to see tied to a numismatic story, but here we are. Thank you for sharing all of this — this is turning into one of the best entries I could have hoped for.
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
Thanks.
One of my favorite commemoratives.
That's true. Oregon is one of the nicest designs. But to be honest, I like them all. Right now I'm looking for a Texas with a beautiful toning, but it's quite a challenge.
Author of "Half a Dollar of History" — A collector's guide to the classic U.S. commemorative type set (1892–1954) | 50 chapters, PCGS photography, grading guides & auction values | amazon.com/dp/B0H6BZMQ6X
Good luck,