The Classics #26: 1935 Hudson Sesqui
LeeG
Posts: 12,162 ✭
0
LeeG
Posts: 12,162 ✭
Comments
As you mentioned, the distribution point was the First National Bank and Trust Company of Hudson. However, since this was the time of the Depression, the city fathers were very concerned as to whether or not they would be able to unload the Half Dollars. In fact, local city and county employees were "encouraged" to purchase Half Dollars out of their paychecks! Now, the one fact I have been unable to determine (nobody would talk) was whether the Guttag Brothers approached the Sesquicentennial Committee first or vice versa. Either way, a deal was immediately struck to unload 7,500 of the Half Dollars. Of course, right after that, the orders poured in, collectors were notified of the "sell out", and the controversy began.
As an aside, the records of the Sesquicentennial Committee were kept in the basement of the First National Bank (I even saw the cancelled check used to pay the shipping of the coins from Philadelphia to Hudson) until the late 1980's when, during a corporate reorganization, the records were accidently thrown out!
Member ANA, SPMC, SCNA, FUN, CONECA
<< <i>Lee, I've been waiting for your listing of the Hudson half to pass along the following information. As a native of Hudson, NY, I was able to dig up some interesting tidbits years ago. First, I'm sure a lot of folks have wondered how an obscure little place like Hudson, NY could pull off the feat of getting their own commemorative half dollar even in the atmosphere of the 1930's. Well, it's simple, politics! You see, Frank Wise, the mayor of Hudson was a Democrat and Hudson is located less than 40 miles north of Hyde Park, the home of a certain President named FDR. When FDR had initially run for governor of New York in 1928, the Democrats in Hudson and Columbia County (where Hudson is located) had been some of FDR's earliest supporters. So, in 1935, Frank Wise asked for a favor and, voila, a Hudson half dollar!
As you mentioned, the distribution point was the First National Bank and Trust Company of Hudson. However, since this was the time of the Depression, the city fathers were very concerned as to whether or not they would be able to unload the Half Dollars. In fact, local city and county employees were "encouraged" to purchase Half Dollars out of their paychecks! Now, the one fact I have been unable to determine (nobody would talk) was whether the Guttag Brothers approached the Sesquicentennial Committee first or vice versa. Either way, a deal was immediately struck to unload 7,500 of the Half Dollars. Of course, right after that, the orders poured in, collectors were notified of the "sell out", and the controversy began.
As an aside, the records of the Sesquicentennial Committee were kept in the basement of the First National Bank (I even saw the cancelled check used to pay the shipping of the coins from Philadelphia to Hudson) until the late 1980's when, during a corporate reorganization, the records were accidently thrown out!
2ndcharter I appreciate you sharing this super info here. This is my hope for the whole series. Sharing of images and info will keep the series fresh.
MS66 $3,890 Not My Coin
Lee, I hope someone offers up a better pic for you to post to represent the type then that dog!
<< <i>This is one ugly coin
MS66 $3,890 Not My Coin
Lee, I hope someone offers up a better pic for you to post to represent the type then that dog! >>
Edited to add:
Replaced the dog with a Fatman pedigree coin.
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870