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Why is the Stone Mountain Commemorative Half-Dollar so popular??
keets
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Why is the Stone Mountain Commemorative Half-Dollar such a perennial favorite with collectors?? It would seem that it's so common and such an uninspiring design that collectors would consider it passe, yet it always enjoys strong appeal. Further, it would seem it evokes sentiment which runs contrary to so many things as to render it non-PC, even though i dislike that term. I mean, really, it commemorates the monument which commemorates the rebellion which almost destroyed the country and in later years was the rallying point for the KKK, the most repugnant group to come into being in recent memory within the boundaries of our country.
Am I the only one who sees this coin as easily forgettable despite it's intended purpose to honor the valor of those who died at the hands of a misguided principle??
Al H.
Am I the only one who sees this coin as easily forgettable despite it's intended purpose to honor the valor of those who died at the hands of a misguided principle??
Al H.
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There are a tens of thousands of Civil War fans and reenacters, and the Stone Mountain is the least expensive of the classic commems with a link to the war (Gettysburg, Lincoln, Antietam). This demand may also be why the modern Civil War commem trades for a big premium over designs with similar mintages.
Collect what you like, and let others collect what they like.
<< <i>such an uninspiring design that collectors would consider it passe >>
I like the design of it.
Few people today realize just how bad the KKK was in its glory days, and the 1920's was a period of revival for the KKK. Today it is thought of almost entirely in terms of being anti-black, which it certainly was and is. It was also very anti-Catholic and anit-Jewish. A friend of my brother reports that her family (Catholic) was driven out of southern Indiana due to harrassment by the KKK.
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yeah, but you like Half-Dismes, also!!
<< <i>I like the design of it.
yeah, but you like Half-Dismes, also!! >>
Why else? It's a COIN of a monument that's in God's country....GEORGIA!
If you ever get a chance to visit Stone Mountian, you should, especially at night.
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
<< <i>Why else? It's a COIN of a monument that's in God's country....GEORGIA!
If you ever get a chance to visit Stone Mountian, you should, especially at night. >>
Tell em' Wes...
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<< <i>I mean, really, it commemorates the monument which commemorates the rebellion which almost destroyed the country and in later years was the rallying point for the KKK, the most repugnant group to come into being in recent memory within the boundaries of our country. >>
I wonder who in the world could associate the KKK with the Civil War?? Some folks think the Civil War wasn't about slavery at all but about States Rights. You also seem to forget the communist movement that was alive and well in this country, especially during the 50's and 60's (maybe even today). I also believe the KKK was alive and kicking in many northern states. I don't think Indiana is considered a "Southern State" Because the KKK "rallied" around this monument doesn't mean the "south" condoned it.
My fathers family is from South Carolina and sharecropped with many black families, working side by side, trying to make a living and I remember when one of the prominent black farmers died, (I was a kid of aobut 8) when my Uncle went to the funeral, he cried.
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<< <i>Some folks think the Civil War wasn't about slavery at all but about States Rights. >>
Wasn't it about a State's right to choose slavery, specifically for new States being admitted to the Union?
My biggest problem with the outcome of the Civil War is that the "states rights" baby was thrown out with the slavery bathwater. It wasn't just the right to be a 'slave state' that died in 1865. Many other violations of states' rights have since been "justified" by legislatures and courts, as if the terms of Lee's surrender at Appomattox included a clause rendering the 10th Amendment null and void. Sure, slavery was abolished -- great; score one for human rights. But that doesn't mean that states rights on most other issues should be killed, too.
The South was fighting for many of the right things, IMO. Unfortunately it was also fighting for one VERY wrong one, and that one wrong cause is the legacy of the Confederacy. No matter what the motivation for people with a fondness for the Confederacy, they will always be branded as racists who support slavery, or at least Jim Crow and the like.
When I was a kid they were still working on the carving when we went to the park.
You could hear the blow torches carving away!
They also used to hold dinners on the shoulder of one of the Generals and host dignitaries. I sure would want the side of the table that faced outward...with my back to the mountain.
That should tell you just how big the carving is.
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<< <i>The civil war was about money. Fought between an industrial nation to the north and an agricultural nation to the south. >>
I agree but this money issue is again tied to slavery. Wasn't the issue between the industrial north and the agricultural south the ability of new states entering the union to choose slavery? Today we have industrial agriculture without slavery so describing the south with only "agricultural" is somewhat misleading. It was "slave power agriculture" and it was probably more of an issue of slave power than agriculture, even when it was just a money issue among the upper classes and didn't yet involve "the people." It might be more appropriate to say it was fought between a "steam power" nation to the north and a "slave power" nation to the south.
<< <i>Why is the Stone Mountain Commemorative Half-Dollar such a perennial favorite with collectors??
Am I the only one who sees this coin as easily forgettable despite it's intended purpose to honor the valor of those who died at the hands of a misguided principle??
Al H. >>
Al – every war will be questioned as to its “principals.” Korea? Vietnam? Iraq? All good examples. But no matter what you think about how a war was directed from the top – to me it’s certainly appropriate to honor those who fought and died in that particular war. Your statement (to me) implies that soldiers who died in a war fought under “questionable principals”, are less honorable that those fought in a more “popular” war.
We’ve got two Stone Mountains – seems my grandfather had lots of interest in the Civil War. I like the look of the coin also.
Messydesk – your Spanish Trail comment made me lol!
Peace! Mark
You are so right, yet so wrong. It is a shame I am at work right now and cannot give this the time it deserves. Maybe tonight when I get home I may have more time. But to call the "War of Northern Aggression" just a "rebellion" only shows the non-understanding of the times shown by you yankees.
And the coin commemorates more than the Stone Mountain Carving and all it stands for, it commemorates Warren G. Harding the President of the United States. After all, the legislation says so.
<< <i>The problem here is that as much as people try to separate the issues of slavery and states' rights, in the minds of many the two are hopelessly intertwined. Even if some people acknowledge that the Civil War was as much about states' rights as anything, it was mostly about the states' rights to continue slavery and support 'popular sovereignty'. (And to some degree, the right to secede from the union, which a reasonable person could believe the 10th Amendment allowed since there was no prohibition on secession in the Constitution itself, thus leaving the issue to the states and the people.)
My biggest problem with the outcome of the Civil War is that the "states rights" baby was thrown out with the slavery bathwater. It wasn't just the right to be a 'slave state' that died in 1865. Many other violations of states' rights have since been "justified" by legislatures and courts, as if the terms of Lee's surrender at Appomattox included a clause rendering the 10th Amendment null and void. Sure, slavery was abolished -- great; score one for human rights. But that doesn't mean that states rights on most other issues should be killed, too.
The South was fighting for many of the right things, IMO. Unfortunately it was also fighting for one VERY wrong one, and that one wrong cause is the legacy of the Confederacy. No matter what the motivation for people with a fondness for the Confederacy, they will always be branded as racists who support slavery, or at least Jim Crow and the like.[/q
I agree with this. This was an excellent post that makes many great points. People have a very difficult time separating the issues surrounding the Civil War and understanding the overall consequences of the Union's victory, other than the abolition of slavery.
I personally like the Stone Mountain commemorateive. I like its design and the history behind it, especially its history compared to some other commemorative issues. Sure, the mintage may be high and it may be common even in the highest of grades. However, it's a classic collector coin.....not necessarily an investment coin. I was thrilled that I was able to afford a high grade specimen. I wanted one because I like it, not because I saw this particular coin as an investment. I also know several individuals who do not avidly collect coins that own this piece simply because they are Civil War enthusiasts and enjoy the history behind it.
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<< <i>But no matter what you think about how a war was directed from the top – to me it’s certainly appropriate to honor those who fought and died in that particular war. Your statement (to me) implies that soldiers who died in a war fought under “questionable principals”, are less honorable that those fought in a more “popular” war. >>
I agree we should honor the men and women that fought/fight in wars, even if we disagree with the reasons behind the war. The exception is soldiers and officers that participate in proven dishonorable acts for which there is no valid excuse. I don't think anyone is arguing this is the case here.
<< <i>Messydesk – your Spanish Trail comment made me lol! >>
I thought that was hilarious as well, good one!
<< <i>
<< <i>The South was fighting for many of the right things, IMO. Unfortunately it was also fighting for one VERY wrong one, and that one wrong cause is the legacy of the Confederacy. No matter what the motivation for people with a fondness for the Confederacy, they will always be branded as racists who support slavery, or at least Jim Crow and the like. >>
I agree with this. This was an excellent post that makes many great points. People have a very difficult time separating the issues surrounding the Civil War and understanding the overall consequences of the Union's victory, other than the abolition of slavery. >>
I also agree with this, the war was about many issues, slavery being one of them. The issue I have is when people say it was NOT about slavery and/or slave power.
Overland Trail Collection Showcase
Dahlonega Type Set-2008 PCGS Best Exhibited Set
Overland Trail Collection Showcase
Dahlonega Type Set-2008 PCGS Best Exhibited Set
Dave
In 1938 when the last national reunion was held on the
battlefield of Gettysburg about 2000 veterans were in attendance.
Were these the collectors who kept and preserved the Stone Mountain Comm.?
Overland Trail Collection Showcase
Dahlonega Type Set-2008 PCGS Best Exhibited Set
what's not to like?!
designset
Treasury Seals Type Set
Personally, I am not excited about the design, and the coins are far too common to be of interest to me. Thinking of all those fine Americans slaughtering each other just makes me sick inside.
Gutzon Borglum was the first sculptor to attempt to carve a Confederate memorial on Stone Mountain. He was approached by Mrs. Helen Plane, charter member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, in 1915. She wished for Borglum to design and carve a 70-foot statue of General Robert E. Lee on the mountain's steep side. Borglum accepted the challenge of carving on the mountain, but told Mrs. Plane that placing a 70-foot carving of Lee on the side of this, the largest granite outcropping in the world, would be comparable to placing a postage stamp on the side of a barn. Borglum began to contemplate a Confederate memorial on Stone Mountain, and his ideas eventually evolved into a scene of Confederate greats Lee, Davis, and Jackson riding around the mountain, followed by a legion of artillery troops.
After a delay caused by World War I, Borglum and the newly-chartered Stone Mountain Confederate Monumental Association set to work on this monument, the size of which had never been attempted before. Work proceeded very slowly. Many difficulties arose because of the sheer magnitude of the undertaking. After finishing the detailed model of the carving, Borglum was unable to trace his ideas onto the massive area onto which he was working. After developing a projector to thrust the image onto the side of the mountain, Borglum and his crew of engineers and laborers were able to set to work on the actual carving.
Carving officially began on June 23, 1923, when Borglum himself cut the first granite from the mountain. Lee's head was finished in time for the anniversary of Lee's birth, January 19, 1924, when a large gathering witnessed the unveiling of Lee's head. This celebration was the high point in Borglum's association with the carving. After this point, work began to slow and Borglum was increasingly at odds with the officials of the Stone Mountain Confederate Monumental Association. Tension rose to the point that in March of 1925, Borglum had his models destroyed and fled Georgia. His tenure with the Association was over. A more detailed account of Borglum's dealings with the Monumental Association is found in The Undefeatedby Gerald W. Johnson.
After his experience with the Monumental Association, Borglum went on to carve Mount Rushmore, where he gained his fame. None of his work remains, as it was all cleared for the work of Augustus Lukeman, Borglum's replacement.
Interesting Fact:
Although Congress intended the issue to honor both Southern soldiers who had fallen in all the wars up to 1925 and the memory of assassinated President Warren G. Harding, the final design of this issue was solely a memorial to the Confederacy.
<< <i>
<< <i>such an uninspiring design that collectors would consider it passe >>
I like the design of it. >>
I agree, I like it quite a bit. It's probably in my top 5 commem designs.
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<< <i>The Stone Mountain, like most classic commems, are a part of history. That's what I like about the Classic Commems, the history. >>
Amen to that, brother
Coin collecting for me, is probably 50% history, 30% photography and 20% desire to have a premium example. When I hold a 1916 Lincoln, I think about the era. The German or Italian immigrant that may have used that coin to by a loaf of bread for their family. What were the politics of the time? Who was in the White House and what were the geo-political concerns of the day? What entertainment was popular with the common man? Was there a premier prize fighter of the time? Well, you get the idea...
The Stone Mountain Commemorative has not only a treemendous design but also evokes treemendous history. A time in our nation's history where brother fought against brother. When General George Armstrong Custer fought in the Army of the Appotomax. A time in history that no-one alive today could tell. The Stone Mountain Commem somehow allows me to be part of a time that I'll never know, at least first hand.
Perhaps I romanticize, perhaps not. Stone Mountain is an awesome commemorative that I hope to own one day soon!
Collector of Early 20th Century U.S. Coinage.
ANA Member R-3147111
<< <i>it's intended purpose to honor the valor of those who died at the hands of a misguided principle?? >>
Hey Keets,
As I walked under the Stone Mountain Memorial this afternoon your post ran through my mind. So what are these misguided principles you speak of? And in whose opinion?
<< <i>
<< <i>it's intended purpose to honor the valor of those who died at the hands of a misguided principle?? >>
Hey Keets,
As I walked under the Stone Mountain Memorial this afternoon your post ran through my mind. So what are these misguided principles you speak of? And in whose opinion? >>
Exactly, my same question.
<< <i>Oh Al,
You are so right, yet so wrong. It is a shame I am at work right now and cannot give this the time it deserves. Maybe tonight when I get home I may have more time. But to call the "War of Northern Aggression" just a "rebellion" only shows the non-understanding of the times shown by you yankees.
And the coin commemorates more than the Stone Mountain Carving and all it stands for, it commemorates Warren G. Harding the President of the United States. After all, the legislation says so.
I like to call the civil war the "War of southern arrogance". Most of them don't like to hear that but it is true.
Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, second organization, was a fraternal order started on Stone Mt., near Atlanta, Ga., in 1915 by William J. Simmons. Chartered by the state of Georgia, membership was said confined to American-born Protestant whites; "brotherhood of man, protection of womanhood, white supremacy, real patriotism and pure Americanism" were principles to which it was dedicated. It was not sectional, as was first KKK, but nationwide; had about 100,000 members by 1921. Effective at polls in 1922, 1924 and to some extent 1926 elections; declined by 1928, probably because of corruption and abuses of power.
<< <i>First of two separate Ku Klux Klans was a secret political organization begun in South during reconstruction period following Civil War. Southern whites united to overthrow "Carpetbag" and Negro suffrage governments and to oppose Congressional reconstruction measures; Federal Union was model for its organization. Its constitution was adopted in 1867; period of greatest activity was 1868-1870, then it declined.
Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, second organization, was a fraternal order started on Stone Mt., near Atlanta, Ga., in 1915 by William J. Simmons. Chartered by the state of Georgia, membership was said confined to American-born Protestant whites; "brotherhood of man, protection of womanhood, white supremacy, real patriotism and pure Americanism" were principles to which it was dedicated. It was not sectional, as was first KKK, but nationwide; had about 100,000 members by 1921. Effective at polls in 1922, 1924 and to some extent 1926 elections; declined by 1928, probably because of corruption and abuses of power. >>
None of the above is commemorated by the Stone Mountain piece.
Collector of Early 20th Century U.S. Coinage.
ANA Member R-3147111
Stone Mountain, GA
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<< <i>do you know what a "Touchstone" is?? >>
Metaphorically speaking, a touchstone is similar to a litmus test.
I must assume then that The Stone Mountain commem fails your litmus test? Perhaps, it is what it is? A commemorative to the soldiers of the south that fought and died with valor.
Collector of Early 20th Century U.S. Coinage.
ANA Member R-3147111
Thank you--I wanted to say that
Stone Mountain Comm.
The funny thing about this is, no one seems to remember that
the southern confederacy pretty much was the democrat party.
And now the NAACP which is basically a wing of the democrat
party in our time, lobbies against the southern confederacy.
Democrats against democrats?
The civil war began because Abraham Lincoln was elected
president. Abe was the first republican. The republican
party was founded in 1856, as the anti-slavery party.
Regards, Steve.