| Author |
 Replies: 17 / Views: 3,539 |
|
CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
11027 Posts |
One of the attractions/incentives for me in collecting original paper items associated with classic US commemoratives is that they often provide me with a tidbit of information about the associated coin that I had not come across in the standard reference works on the series. Case in point: a promotional flyer/brochure about the 1925 Stone Mountain half-dollar that I recently acquired. While it is certainly an interesting read overall, I was particularly pleased to read about the coin's initial strikes. Read More: Commems CollectionWhile the excellent US commemorative coin encyclopedia's written by Q. David Bowers and Anthony Swiatek/Walter Breen each make mention of the fact that the striking of the Stone Mountain coins began on 21 January 1925 - the 101st anniversary of General "Stonewall" Jackson's birth - neither work noted that a test strike (in lead) for the coin was made on 19 January 1925 which was the 118th anniversary of General Robert E. Lee's birth. (Jackson and Lee, of course, are the two Generals on horseback depicted on the obverse of the coin.) That little bit of interesting commemorative trivia, however, was included in a promotional piece put out by the Stone Mountain Confederate Monumental Association. (See below.) You'll note that the Association also does a bit of bragging about the "Firsts" associated with their coin. While a couple are debatable - "the first and only United States coin ever struck with equestrian figures thereon." How about the reverse of the Lafayette dollar? - most are historically accurate. Can't blame the Association for being proud of their coin, I suppose, and for wanting to make it as desirable as possible - they did have up to five million coins to sell after all! Below are images of the four panels of the Stone Mountain flyer/brochure I've referenced. You can consider this one a "CCF Exclusive" as I've never seen this particular piece illustrated in any reference work - though I'm sure there are others out there in collectors' hands. Enjoy! 1925 Stone Mountain Promotional Flyer â€" Front Cover 1925 Stone Mountain Promotional Flyer â€" Inside Left Panel 1925 Stone Mountain Promotional Flyer â€" Inside Right Panel 1925 Stone Mountain Promotional Flyer â€" Back Cover 1925 Stone Mountain Commemorative Half-Dollar â€" Obverse 1925 Stone Mountain Commemorative Half-Dollar â€" Reverse Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
|
|
|
|
Moderator
United States
14463 Posts |
I have recently picked up a few more Stone Mountain Commemorative Half Dollars  I am thinking wedding presents for my niece and nephews. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1511 Posts |
Very very cool, Thanks so much for sharing!! This is one of my top 3 favorite classic comm's so it's great to actually see the original flyer, so thanks again!
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3451 Posts |
I now feel the need to start accessorizing my commemoratives (well, the few I have)!
How do you find these materials? Your collection continues to amaze me.
|
|
Moderator
United States
157720 Posts |
Very nice!  |
|
Valued Member
United States
386 Posts |
Thank you for posting this, commems. Don't you just love the eloquent writing in the brochure? I love the Stone Mountain commemorative half. Your several posts about it are pushing me into a purchase of one.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
33743 Posts |
This will always be my favorite Commemorative Half. The one I own was given to me by my Grandmother in 1957, which started me off collecting coins. I will always remember her talking about her Confederate Half Dollar. Thanks for posting the original flyer, wish she had kept one of those with the half.
|
|
CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
11027 Posts |
@All: You're very welcome. I enjoy sharing info about these coins.
@CoinsKelly: Diligent searching at coin shows mostly. While the paper items are FAR more scarce than the coins, they can be found.
@blackjack: I hope you find a Stone Mountain dollar for your collection soon! It's a great coin with great history.
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
13261 Posts |
Apologize for the late reply commems ... very tired now after another 13 hour work day.  That is a tremendous flyer ... I enjoyed reading it ... do not understand the inside left panel image. You continue to acquire commemorative related items that are astonishing to me ... I salute again the dedication you have shown to collect them ... and extend my personal appreciation for sharing them with all of us. Best David Take a look at my other hobby ... http://www.jk-dk.artToo many hobbies .... too much work .... not enough time. |
|
Moderator
United States
14463 Posts |
Quote:
... do not understand the inside left panel image. I think that was an original proposed image of the carving. The final carving only has three figures. 
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Amazing piece Commens, like others this is one of my favorite coins in the series. Thank you for sharing
|
|
Valued Member
United States
386 Posts |
Thanks, commems, I was speaking to a local coin dealer about the commemorative halves and he stated that they peaked a while back and that the public's interest in them has fallen. And I see in the 2013 Blue Book that this half is quite reasonable right now, $135. for MS65. Might be a good time to pick one up, no? My LCS has a higher-end MS64 in their case. I'm going to inquire about it next week. I tend to keep myself limited in what I collect; don't want to be all over the board in what I have. But I do want this one and a few others, such as the California-Pacific. I find the architectural depiction of Old San Diego stunning on the reverse of that coin. I'd appreciate your opinion about 1. purchasing an MS64 Stone Mountain, and not an MS65, and 2. whether I should buy the S or D mint marked California-Pacific. The D is only $5 more in the Blue Book. Thank you, commems.
|
|
CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
11027 Posts |
The classic US commemorative series definitely goes through cycles in terms of popularity among collectors, with the past few years being a period of lower overall demand. Interest in very high-end pieces with strong eye appeal continues to be strong, however.
I would agree that now is a good time to purchase commemorative coins. I would recommend, however, that you don't "settle" on a coin just because you can get it at a good price. By this I mean, purchase only coins with attractive surfaces, good luster and nice overall eye appeal. Stay away from coins with major marks/scratches/dings and uneven/unattractive toning. "Nice" coins will always have a market, problem coins can be difficult to sell in the future unless you are willing to take a financial loss.
Regarding your questions about potential purchases:
1) Stone Mountain: I think it depends on whether "collecting" is your primary driver or "investing" is your motivation. If the later, waiting to find a nice MS-65 or higher would be my recommendation. If your goal is purchase a few nice coins that you enjoy owning and showing to friends and fellow collectors, an attractive MS-64 coin is certainly a nice piece to own. One of the coins in my collection is a Stone Mountain in very choice AU â€" I enjoy sharing it with others just as much as my MS-65 shown above.
2) San Diego: For commemorative coins issued over multiple years, I tend to purchase an example from the first year of issue for my type collection â€" but that's just me. The San Diego is definitely an attractive design, and both the 1935-S and 1936-D come nice. I'd say you'd be happy with either and wouldn't worry about the small price differential â€" purchase the nicest one you can find!
Hope all that helps!
Keep us updated about your future purchases!
Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
112 Posts |
Thank you so much for this! I am from Georgia and have hiked and gazed upon the carvings of Stone Mountain countless times. I had no idea it was partially funded by this coin. This has been at the top of my want list and now has defied physics and risen higher! What a wonderful piece of history, thanks again!
|
|
Valued Member
United States
386 Posts |
Thank you for your detailed, caring response, commems. My primary desire is to collect coins that I cherish and that I will pass on to my children. As you so clearly demonstrate, commemorative halves are spectacular numismatic phenomena and letting go of a fine example would be a genuine shame.
I like your advice about waiting for an MS65 coin in both the Stone Mountain and the San Diego pieces. Your advice about collecting the first year of issue for the latter makes good sense.
My collecting focus is MS 64 Morgans and I look for the qualities you recommend in them.
|
|
Valued Member
United States
207 Posts |
Very cool flyer. Thanks for posting. Just picked up a Stone Mountain yesterday but bought raw in a 2x2 but is a real nice MS piece that I put in my 7070.
|
| |
Replies: 17 / Views: 3,539 |
Posted 12/28/2012 08:48 am
