Maryland Tercentenary – 1934

Celebrating 300 Years Since the Arrival of English Colonists

The Maryland Tercentenary Commission sought to have a commemorative half dollar issued to mark the 300^th Anniversary of the arrival of English settlers in Maryland in 1634. The Commission sought a postage stamp and a commemorative half dollar, the profits from the sales of which would defray the expenses of a celebration. The Bill authorizing the coin passed both houses of Congress without any problems and with limited discussion. The Bill authorizing 25,000 coins became law with the signature of President Franklin Roosevelt.

The Commission had Professor Hans Schulman, of the Maryland College of Art, prepare a design that after some suggestions and criticisms went forward and were approved. Changes were made and John R. Sinnock, the US Mint’s Chief Engraver created the models and the design received approval.

The obverse design displays a bust of Cecil Calvert, also known as Lord Baltimore, facing right, with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” across the top periphery. To the right of his bust is “IN GOD WE TRUST” and to the left is “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” Below the bust is “CECIL CALVERT” and the denomination, “HALF DOLLAR” is at the bottom periphery. The reverse design is the Coat of Arms of the State of Maryland, with “MARYLAND TERCENTENARY 1634 – 1934” around the periphery.

Of the 25,000 coins authorized and struck, the Commission originally sold 15,000 of them at the celebrations in Maryland. As time progressed the Commission continued to advertise them but now the audience consisted primarily of dealers, speculators and investors.

The coins were initially sold at $1.00 each but after the Tercentenary celebrations ended the Commission sold their coins at $.75 each. The price was finally lowered to $.65 each and the Commission sold out the remainder of his inventory of commemorative coins.

Lyman Hoffecker, who would be responsible for the Elgin and Old Spanish Trail commemorative coins the following year, inquired about purchasing a large quantity of Maryland Half dollars only to be advised that the supply had been exhausted.

In March of 1936, Hoffecker testified before Congress about abuses in the commemorative coin issues (of which both issues that he was associated with were problematic). He stated that 1,000 Maryland coins had been sold to one dealer and that Maryland Tercentenary employees had purchased hundreds of the coins.

Expand your collection today and shop for a 1934 Maryland Tercentenary Half Dollar MS-64 PCGS.