Gettysburg 75th Anniversary – 1936

Honoring the 75^th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg

The American Civil War had ended in 1865 and by the 1930s the veterans who had fought in that war were rapidly passing into history. To bury any hard feelings still harbored by those who fought, veterans’ reunions were being held to commemorate anniversaries of important battles. By 1938, the 75^th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg was rapidly approaching. Even though the numbers of those who fought were dwindling daily, this anniversary needed to be celebrated. Gettysburg was the critical turning point of the war for the Union, after 2 ½ years of seemingly endless defeats. Additionally, Gettysburg was where President Lincoln had so eloquently honored those valiant men on both sides.

The Battle of Gettysburg was fought over three days – July 1-3 – in 1863. The battle amassed the largest number of casualties of any battle throughout the five years of the conflict. Between 23-28,000 Confederates and 23,049 Union soldiers gave their lives during those three days.

The Pennsylvania State Commission was appointed to champion a coin through Congress and to be in charge of the sales and distribution of these coins. The legislation sailed through Congress without opposition in 1936. Much like the Delaware Tercentenary Commemorative Coin, the date of this coin is confusing. The coin is dated 1936 due to the date of the authorizing legislation. The coin was actually struck in 1937 for the 75^th Anniversary of that battle, which would have occurred in 1938. The coin legislation was approved and signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt. 

The Pennsylvania State Commission selected Frank Vittor, a sculptor from Pittsburgh to design the coin and get the designs approved. Vittor’s designs for the obverse depicted two soldiers, one Union and one Confederate in profile, in their uniforms and military hats, facing right. Above them were the words “LIBERTY” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” Around the periphery were the phrases “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “BLUE AND GRAY REUNION.”

 The reverse depicts two military shields, one Union and one Confederate, separated by a double-headed ax embedded inside a fasces. Oak and laurel wreaths are behind the shields. Above the shields are the words “IN GOD WE TRUST” and below the shields are “1936” and “HALF DOLLAR.” Around the reverse periphery are the words and dates “1863 – 75^th Anniversary – 1938 – BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.”

The coin is often critiqued as it seems medallic in appearance, due to the prominent outer ring, loaded with inscriptions on both the obverse and reverse. But the design, itself, is much acclaimed by the numismatic community. 

Although the authorized mintage was 50,000 coins, all of which were struck at the Philadelphia Mint, slightly more than half that number (26,928) were sold and distributed by the Pennsylvania State Commission. The offering price was $1.65 which was on the higher end for these 1936 issues.

The coins were distributed in Pennsylvania State Commission imprinted envelopes but in simple, white, unprinted 3-coin holders.

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