Arkansas and Bay Bridge Commems Arrive
LeeG
Posts: 12,162 ✭
Both are nice for the grade. Nothing fancy, just some nice examples for my set. 
The Arkansas half dollar is a good example of a worthy project discredited through greed and poor management. Although this issue was the product of a state-sanctioned committee, this group’s actions were more in character for racketeers. That the design of this coin was something less than an artistic success only added to the controversy. Still, time has a way of healing old wounds, and coin collectors today seek the halves of this type as avidly as any others in the U. S. commemorative series.
Of the many different themes which have appeared on United States commemorative coins, by far the most common are those pertaining to historic anniversaries, such as the Pilgrim Tercentenary and the Sesquicentennial of American Independence. In a similar vein, a number have honored statehood centennials, such as those of Illinois and Missouri. Some recognize great Americans — Booker T. Washington and Ulysses S. Grant come to mind. Regrettably, very few have marked achievements in the field of engineering. The 1915-S Panama-Pacific International Exposition coins may be included within this group, as they commemorate the world’s fair which itself celebrated the completion of the Panama Canal. The only coin dedicated solely to recognition of an engineering triumph, however, is the 1936-S half dollar issued to mark the opening of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in November of that year.
The Arkansas half dollar is a good example of a worthy project discredited through greed and poor management. Although this issue was the product of a state-sanctioned committee, this group’s actions were more in character for racketeers. That the design of this coin was something less than an artistic success only added to the controversy. Still, time has a way of healing old wounds, and coin collectors today seek the halves of this type as avidly as any others in the U. S. commemorative series.
Of the many different themes which have appeared on United States commemorative coins, by far the most common are those pertaining to historic anniversaries, such as the Pilgrim Tercentenary and the Sesquicentennial of American Independence. In a similar vein, a number have honored statehood centennials, such as those of Illinois and Missouri. Some recognize great Americans — Booker T. Washington and Ulysses S. Grant come to mind. Regrettably, very few have marked achievements in the field of engineering. The 1915-S Panama-Pacific International Exposition coins may be included within this group, as they commemorate the world’s fair which itself celebrated the completion of the Panama Canal. The only coin dedicated solely to recognition of an engineering triumph, however, is the 1936-S half dollar issued to mark the opening of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in November of that year.
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Sweet stuff.
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In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
<< <i>That the design of this (The Arkansas) coin was something less than an artistic success only added to the controversy. >>
On the contrary, I am an artist and I love the Arkansas design, particularly the obverse. The framing of the portraits (pushing them to the upper edge of the coin) is unique to this issue, plus I love any design that combines notions of Liberty and indigenous America. Furthmore, the toning this issue tends to exhibit sets off the design nicely, and you sir, own a superb example - congrats!
I also love the Bay Bridge half - espeically all the waves on the reverse - my own collection includes an example of this coin for this very reason.
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U.S. Nickels Complete Set with Major Varieties, Circulation Strikes
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Nice pick ups Lee !!!
At least the "Flapper" Arkansas is more artistic than the "Robinson" Arkansas: