Thomas Melish & the 1936 Cincinnati Music Center Half Dollar
The coin was authorized because Cincinnati would be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the contributions of Cincinnati to the world of music, and also to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Cincinnati’s annual May Festival. At best, this is a long stretch, and there are so many other cities commemorating more important events. This coin and celebration were created by Thomas Melish, a Cincinnati businessman and entrepreneur.
Melish had political connections in support of the legislation, which was introduced in Congress and ultimately signed into law. The legislation was enacted by Congress and signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. A total of 15,000 coins were authorized, and the three mints struck about 5,000 coins.
Coin Design Details
Now that the coins were authorized for production, a design was needed that met the Mint’s requirements. Melish selected artist and sculptor Constance Ortmayer to design the coin. The Commission of Fine Arts initially rejected the designs, questioning both Stephen Foster’s connection to Cincinnati and the overall appropriateness of the theme. Although a local Cincinnati musician and orchestra leader was suggested and would have been an entirely appropriate representative, and even Melish agreed to the design change, the design was not altered. Foster remained on the obverse of a coin connected to a city with which he had no true connection.
The obverse had a portrait of Stephen Foster facing right. Under the portrait were the words “STEPHEN FOSTER – AMERICA’S TROUBADOR”, and around the top periphery was “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, and the denomination graced the bottom periphery “HALF DOLLAR”.
The central vignette on the reverse depicts the Goddess of Music kneeling, playing the lyre; to her right is the date “1886,” and to the left is “1936.” Under her were the traditional mottoes “IN GOD WE TRUST”, “E PLURIBUS UNUM”, and “LIBERTY”. Around the reverse periphery was “CINCINNATI – A MUSIC CENTER OF AMERICA”.
Some contemporary commentators praised the coin’s designs, while some felt that the lyre played by the Goddess was too small to be truly representative of an actual lyre.
Obverse – [left] – Reverse – [right])
Distribution Details
In July 1936, 5,005 coins were struck at Philadelphia, 5,005 at Denver, and 5,006 at San Francisco; the mintage was completed. The first 200 coins struck at each mint were arranged in sets of three and held in a black leatherette case, with a notarized statement from Melish attesting that they were among the first 200 from each mint.
As inquiries about purchasing the coins poured in from collectors nationwide, Melish sent replies stating that the series was “over-subscribed.” The sets were initially offered at the then-high price of $7.75 per set. The price rose rapidly as fewer and fewer collectors were able to obtain their coins. The sets increased in price to as much as $40 per set. Add this coin to your collection and explore other U.S. Classic silver commemorative coins.
