Commemorative Coins Before the Iowa Centennial
Some Early Commemorative half dollars were issued for reasons that appeared more commercial than commemorative. The year 1936 saw the highest number of issues in the series, leaving many collectors overwhelmed by the volume of new releases.
During 1937, only two issues were struck: Roanoke Island’s 350th Anniversary celebration and the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Antietam, both events worthy of commemoration. In 1938, a single new commemorative coin was issued to mark the 250th Anniversary of New Rochelle, New York. While it was not a national celebration, it was still a meaningful occasion.
Several issues continued into 1939. The Oregon Trail Memorial Commemorative began in 1926 and was struck at intervals through 1939, the longest span of years for any classic U.S. commemorative coin. Likewise, the Arkansas Centennial Commemorative Half Dollar was struck beginning a year before its actual centennial in 1936. The final Arkansas set was issued in 1939.
President Franklin Roosevelt had planned to oppose any new commemorative coin legislation, but following his passing in 1945, Vice President Harry Truman assumed the presidency and approved new legislation. As a result, Iowa’s Centennial in 1946 was commemorated with the 1946 Iowa Centennial Commemorative Half Dollar. Adam Pietz, a former engraver at the U.S. Mint, was selected to design the coin.
Design Details
The designs by Adam Pietz were well-executed and reflected a traditional approach consistent with U.S. commemorative coinage of the era. Pietz chose the Iowa State Seal for the obverse design. It features an American eagle with wings spread wide, holding a banner in its beak, with 28 stars arranged above. The banner is inscribed with “OUR LIBERTIES WE PRIZE AND OUR RIGHTS WE WILL MAINTAIN.” Below the banner appears “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and around the periphery reads “IOWA STATEHOOD CENTENNIAL – 1846 – 1946.”
The reverse depicts the first stone Capitol Building in Iowa City, Iowa. Above the building is the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and below it appears “LIBERTY.” Around the outer periphery are the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “HALF DOLLAR.”
Mintage Details
The Philadelphia Mint struck 100,057 coins, with the 57 coins reserved for assay, and they were delivered to the Iowa Centennial Committee. The coins were offered to residents of the state of Iowa for $2.50 each and to non-residents for $3.00 per coin. The lower price for Iowans encouraged widespread local participation in the centennial celebration.
During 1946 and 1947, a majority of coins were sold and by 1950, no further coins were available. The State of Iowa purchased 1,000 coins and placed them in a time capsule. Of the 1,000 coins, 500 were placed in a box to be opened in 1996, 50 years after the Centennial. These coins were offered in special holders at $500 each, though sales progressed slowly since the market price for an uncirculated Iowa Commemorative Half Dollar was around $100 at the time.
The coins that remained unsold from the 1996 hoard were added to the 500 coins that are destined to be opened in the year 2046, the Bicentennial of Iowa Statehood. Expand your collection today and shop our selection of U.S. classic silver commemorative coins.
