Commemorating the Battle of Antietam, Maryland
On September 17, 1862, the “Bloodiest Day of the Civil War” occurred in a small town in Maryland. On that day, the Army of the Potomac (Union forces) under General George B. McClellan, numbering 87,000, engaged the Army of Northern Virginia (Confederate forces) under General Robert E. Lee, numbering approximately 55,000. The Confederates were anxious for a victory on Northern soil, which would confer credibility on them with the European nations with whom they traded.
Although tactically inconclusive, the battle is widely regarded as a strategic Union victory. This battle was a costly one as the casualties numbered 22,720 for both sides, making it indeed the bloodiest single day of the entire war.
As the 75th Anniversary approached in 1937, members of the Washington County Historical Society began planning a major reunion of the combatants. By 1937, only a small number of Civil War veterans remained alive, and fewer than 100 had fought at the Battle of Antietam. As they reached out to survivors, they also requested that their federal representatives introduce and support legislation to authorize a commemorative half dollar to mark the anniversary and to defray the costs of the celebration by selling the coins at a profit.
A bill authorizing the minting of not fewer than 50,000 1937 Battle of Antietam 75th Anniversary Commemorative Silver Half Dollars was passed by both Houses of Congress and signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Washington County Historical Society turned to successful commemorative coin designer, William Marks Simpson, to design a fitting tribute to the Battle of Antietam.
Design Details
The coin was designed by William M. Simpson. Simpson’s obverse design had conjoined busts of Union General George McClellan and Confederate General Robert E. Lee facing left. Underneath their portraits were “GEN. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN – GEN. ROBERT E. LEE.” In front of their busts was “IN GOD WE TRUST”, and behind them was “LIBERTY”. Around the periphery were “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – HALF DOLLAR” and five five-pointed stars.
On the reverse is the Burnside Bridge. There was intense fighting and heavy casualties at the Burnside Bridge, which was named after the Union General and served as a tactical objective in the Battle. While hundreds of lives were lost trying to cross the bridge that forded Antietam Creek.
The Burnside Bridge, Antietam Creek, and the surrounding hills and numerous trees of the adjoining forest comprised the central vignette of the reverse of the coin with “THE BURNSIDE BRIDGE – SEPTEMBER 17, 1862” below the bridge. Above the tree line was the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM”, and surrounding the entire reverse periphery was inscribed with the rationale for the coin’s existence – “SEVENTY-FIFTH-ANNIVERSARY-BATTLE-OF-ANTIETAM-1937”.
Distribution Details
The bill authorizing the minting of the coin set a minimum of 50,000 coins for this issue, with additional coins created for assay. In addition, another requirement is that all coins be struck in 1937 at a single mint, thereby ensuring that no additional varieties are created.
The minimum authorized mintage of 50,000 coins was struck and sent to the Washington County Historical Society, and the sales effort began in person at Antietam and by mail. The coins sent by mail were shipped in imprinted mailing envelopes and with imprinted 5-coin holders.
Coins stored long-term in these cardboard holders often developed characteristic tab toning.)
Even though this historical event was certainly worthy of commemoration, sales were poor. The lackluster sales were attributed in part to the abuses of other coins. No abuses in the selling practices of these Antietam coins were ever noted or documented. The sales price ($1.65 each, including postage) was reasonable and comparable to that of other commemorative half dollars of the period.
Only 18,028 Antietam commemoratives were distributed. Add this historic coin to your collection and explore other U.S. classic silver commemorative coins.
