Hot out of the mail box and into this blog post is the latest addition to my silver commemorative half dollar set. The pictures aren't so great, as I am experimenting with different cameras and with leaving them in their protection and out.
Meet the 1920 Maine Centennial Commemorative Half Dollar.
We are going to cover some historical context of what the coin is commemorating as well as the year of mintage. Then I would like to show you the one from my collection and discuss the the symbolic and cultural elements of the coin.
After that we are going to move into the rarity and value of the coin, mintage and survival rates, and possibly talk about notable sales of similar coins.
Historical Context
Formerly an independent colony, Maine was given to Massachusetts by the English Crown in a charter issued in 1691. After that, Maine remained a colony of Massachusetts for a century. Settlers in Maine resented those in Boston calling the shots.
Then the War of 1812 showed that the leaders in Boston would not protect Maine. Under the Missouri Compromise of 1820, Congress admitted Maine to the Union as the 23rd state. As a result of this arrangement, Maine was able to become a free state and Missouri was able to become a slave state, maintaining the country's numerical balance between free and slave states.
Mintage History
The 1920 Maine Centennial Commemorative Half Dollar is meant to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Maine's statehood. This coin is one of several commemoratives that were released to commemorate the anniversaries of American states, counties, and towns.
Minted in Philadelphia, with 100,000 of these coins authorized for mintage. They were minted in 1920, are 90% silver, weigh 12.5 grams, and has a diameter of 30.6mm. Basically, it is the size of the typical U.S. half dollar. Anthony de Francisci was the engraver for the obverse and the reverse. Anthony de Francisci went on to design the several other medals and coins to include the Peace dollar.
Historical Events of 1920
This year is most known for the Prohibition is the U.S. and the end of the Spanish flu. However, some other significant events include the 19th amendment of the U.S. Constitution being ratified, and the end of the Mexican Revolution.
Cultural and Symbolic Elements
OBVERSE
A moose laying down by water and trees, with a large pine tree standing immediately behind it is depicted on the shield in the middle of the seal. A farmer is leaning on his scythe on one side of the shield, while a sailor is leaning on an anchor on the other side. The motto "Dirigo", meaning "I direct", along with a North Star appear above the shield. A banner with the word "Maine" appears below the shield. United States of America and the denomination appear around the outer rim of the coin.
REVERSE
Since Maine is known as the Pine Tree State, the reverse of the coin features a wreath made of pine needles and cones that reads MAINE CENTENNIAL 1820-1920 in the middle. The typical mottos and coinage verbiage appear on the outer rim as well.
Rarity and Value
The mintage for the 1920 Maine Centennial Commemorative Half Dollar Dollar was half its authorized mintage at 50,028. Looking this up in the Red Book, the prices range from $120 at AU-50 to $575 in MS-66.
Mintage and Survival Rates
As I stated earlier, 100,000 of these coins were authorized for mintage, but only just over 50,000 were actually produced. All unsold coins were returned to the Maine State Treasurer instead of being returned to the Phily mint for melting. Many still survive today and tmany seem to be in a circulated condition. However AU to MS conditions can be found.
Notable Sales of Similar Coins
Bidding on GreatCollections.com seem to support the price ranges from the Red Book for AU through MS-66 discussed earlier. I did find it interesting that an "exceptional piece" sold for $7,050 in 2014. (Source)
If you have any further information about this coin you would like to add, like historical information I left out or want to correct any I may have gotten wrong, please drop it in the comments.
Thanks,
Joe
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