1936 Wisconsin Territorial Centennial Classic Commemorative Half Dollar
This is my second blog on a 1936 Classic Commemorative coin. I really love commemorative coins from 1936 and decided to research them and make an exhibit about 1936 Classic Commems. There were a total of 16 commems minted in 1936 that were only minted in 1936. So, enjoy this blog about the 1936 Wisconsin Territorial Centennial Classic Commem!
The 1936 Wisconsin Territorial Centennial commemorative half dollar commemorates the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Territory of Wisconsin being part of the United States of America. It was established on July 3, 1836. Approximately 25,000 were minted for public sales. The coin started out with sales that were far from satisfactory. Many examples were sold by the Coinage Committee of the Wisconsin Centennial for $1.50 all the way until the 1950's when the supply finally came to an end.
A University of Wisconsin student, David Parsons, originally designed this commemorative. Later though, Benjamin Hawkins, who was a New York artist, made changes to conform with technical requirements. The obverse depicts a badger on a log, the badger represents the early fur trade and is Wisconsin's official state animal, the state's nickname is even "The Badger State". Behind his features arrows and an olive branch, the arrows represent the Black Hawk War, a war fought between early settlers and the Sauk Native Americans, while the branch represents peace. The reverse features the Wisconsin territorial seal, which depicts an arm holding a pickaxe and a pile of lead ore below it. The date on the coin "4TH DAY OF JULY, ANNO DOMINI 1936" is the day that the first governor of the territory of Wisconsin, Col. Henry Dodge was put into office. The phrase "anno domini" is Medieval Latin for "in the year of the Lord".
Today is officially my last day of my trip and I fly out to Georgia tomorrow morning so I will more frequently post blogs then. Thanks for reading my blog and have a great day!
CheerioCoins
Comments
Mal_ANA_YN
Level 5
A neat way to collect. Neat coin too.
AC coin$
Level 6
Beautiful commemorative coin .
Kepi
Level 6
Love those old commemoratives! Enjoyed your blog! ; )
CheerioCoins
Level 5
Thanks!
Jackson14
Level 4
Great coin! I really like the commemorative s of 1936 to.
CheerioCoins
Level 5
Cool.
coinsbygary
Level 5
This coin represents one of my fondest YN memories. Shortly after buying my first Redbook as a boy, I thumbed through the commemoratives in the back of the book. I noticed many of the coins were named after states and significant events in those states. Growing up in Wisconsin, I wondered if there was a coin for my state. To my delight, there was, and I determined to buy one. I don't remember exactly when, but I finally purchased a 1936 Wisconsin half-dollar about 15-25 years ago.
CheerioCoins
Level 5
Wow! Cool.
CC
Level 4
So cool! Sorry I've been gone so long
Long Beard
Level 5
The early commemorative issues are always a great addition to traditional coin collecting.
CheerioCoins
Level 5
Yeah!
Longstrider
Level 6
Nice idea about the commemoratives from that date. Makes a nice collection. Thanks for the info.
CheerioCoins
Level 5
No problem
RSchwa57
Level 4
Although I am not big into commemorative releases, I do have a few. Very informative blog. Nice read!
CheerioCoins
Level 5
Thanks.
Mike
Level 7
A great coin to own. I love the comments from that period. Way better than those they make today. Thanks for the research and the blog! Happy Fourth of July. Even though it was ratified on the Second of July!! Mike
CheerioCoins
Level 5
Yeah, Happy Fourth of July, Mike! I also like the Classics better than the moderns.