A bit of history: 1937 Sir Walter Raleigh-Virginia Dare (Roanoke Island, NC) Half Dollar

[leeg]

50,030 pieces coined at the Philadelphia Mint with 30 pieces reserved for annual assay and 21,000 melted. Designed and modeled by William Marks Simpson. Distributed by the Roanoke Colony Memorial Association, Manteo, NC, D. B. Fearing Chairman. A coin in my collection. Image courtesy of coinraritesonline.

Been too long since I've shared some history.

So the history goes:

Authorized by Congress on June 24, 1936 and issued to commemorate the three hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Sir Walter Raleigh’s colony on Roanoke Island, North Carolina, known in history as the Lost Colony, and the birth of Virginia Dare, the first child of English parentage to be born on the American continent.

 

Design:

Obverse: Bust of Sir Walter Raleigh to left, in ruff and plumed hat; around outer border, at top, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; around lower border, HALF DOLLAR; in inner circle in smaller letters E PLURIBUS UNUM; below, SIR WALTER RALEIGH; in left field 1937; below bust, the artist’s initials, WMS in a monogram.

 

Reverse: Female holding child, representing Eleanor Dare and her daughter Virginia; in background, two sailing ships; right of base a small pine tree; below base the dates 1587-1937; around outer border; THE COLONIZATION OF ROANOKE ISLAND NORTH CAROLINA; in inner circle; THE BIRTH OF VIRGINA DARE; in lower left field, IN GOD WE TRUST.

 

    Designed by William Marks Simpson of Baltimore who was director of the Rhinehart School of Sculpture of the Maryland Institute in Baltimore. The coins were distributed by the Roanoke Colony Memorial Association, Manteo, N. C., D. B. Fearing chairman, at one dollar and sixty-five cents each. The Roanoke Island Colony is known in history as the ‘lost colony,’ and is famous as the birthplace of Virginia Dare, the first child of English parentage to be born on the American continent.

 

    “Washington, May 21.—(UP)—A proposal to mint a special 50-cent coin in commemoration of the 350th anniversary of the establishment of Sir Walter Raleigh’s colony on Roanoke Island, N. C., today has house approval.

 

    Under a bill by Representative Lindsay C. Warren, of Washington, N. C., the director of the mint, would mint not less than 25,000 of the pieces which would be disposed of by the Roanoke Colony Memorial Association of Manteo, N. C. 

    The Roanoke Island colony is known in history as the ‘lost colony,’ and is famous as the birth place of Virginia Dare, the first child of English parentage to be born on the American continent.”¹

 

¹ The Burlington (N. C.) Daily Times-News, Special Coin for Raleigh Memorial is Given Approval, Thursday, May 21, 1936

 

    “. . . Our subject (Roanoke half dollar-LG) is introduced by a letter of September 26, 1936 from H. P. Caemmerer (Secretary and Executive Officer of the Fine Arts Commission-LG) to Lee Lawrie (Sculptor member of the Fine Arts Commission-LG):

    Dear Mr. Lawrie: At the request of Miss O’Reilly, Acting Director of the Mint, Mr. William Marks Simpson, 8 West Mt. Vernon Place, Baltimore, called yesterday afternoon and left with me the accompanying photograph of his sketch model for the memorial coin commemorating the colonization of Roanoke Island, North Carolina. Your criticisms as to the models are very much desired.

    Also I am sending to you photographs of a medal authorized by Congress for the City of Norfolk to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Norfolk. Mr. Simpson told me that Senator Glass expects to make an effort at the coming session of Congress to have the act modified so that Norfolk can get a coin instead of a medal. Mr. Simpson would also like your criticisms as to the Norfolk models.

    Would you please return the photographs to me with your reply? Cordially yours.

    On the 30th, Moore (Chairman of the Commission of Fine Arts-LG) transmitted the approval of the Commission of Fine Arts based on Lawrie’s favorable verdict. He requested, however, that the models be resubmitted, upon their completion.

    In reworking his designs, Simpson made a number of improvements, particularly on the obverse side. The most important of these concerned the bust, which was given a more graceful truncation. The artist also redistributed his legends, and changed the date to 1937.”²

 

² An Illustrated History of Commemorative Coinage, Don Taxay, ARCO Press, New York City, 1967, p. 227-228.

 

    “Although the half dollar to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the establishment of Sir Walter Raleigh’s Colony on Roanoke Island and the birth of Virginia Dare, first white child of English parentage on the American Continent, is expected to be issued some time in November, the anniversary will not occur until next year. The issue is 25,000 coins, all from one mint, and the price of a single coin will be $1.65.

 

    On one side of the coin will appear a mother and her child, garbed in costumes similar to those that bedecked the first Roanoke Island English settlers. On the same side will be images of two old English sailing vessels similar to those in which the first colonists crossed the ocean. On the other side will be a bust of Sir Walter Raleigh. The designs have been prepared by William Marks Simpson, of Baltimore, a teacher of sculpture in Baltimore and Washington.

 

    On the spot in the stockade-enclosed and recreated Fort Raleigh will transpire on August 18, 1937, the 350th anniversary of the birth of Virginia Dare, a celebration so wide in its scope as to center attention of the English-speaking world on Roanoke Island in historically glamourous [sic] Dare County. Educational, historical and religious, the celebration planned by the Roanoke Island Historical Association will last from the early part of the summer through August, reaching its climax in a pageant-drama designed to present the history of those first colonial attempts and bring out the halo of mystery and romance surrounding the disappearance of the Lost Colony.

 

    The association is endeavoring to reconstruct in part the  Roanoke Island of 1587 and in a primitive setting re-enact adventures of the first colonists as seen through the eyes of North Carolina’s and America’s distinguished playwright, Paul Green, who is now at work on the pageant-drama that will form the major part of the celebration. Fred Koch, director of the Carolina Playmakers and father of the Little Theatre in America, is to direct its production. That the setting may be more in keeping with pageant, two ships, replicas of those in which the first colonists ventured across the Atlantic to a then unknown shore, will ride at anchor in waters of Roanoke Sound opposite the landing place at Fort Raleigh, now almost completely restored to its colonial appearance. A tribe of Cherokee Indians from the North Carolina reservation, it is proposed, will be brought there to recreate the Indian villages of early days and reproduce their primitive fields of tobacco, maize, pumpkin and squash.

 

    But the actual reconstruction work had been done on old Fort Raleigh itself. Surrounded by a palisade of logs, rude log huts withy thatched roofs have been built as nearly in accord with sixteenth century drawings as possibly could be done. Even included is a solid, rough Little Chapel, similar to the shrines of early days.”³

 

³ The Numismatist, The Coin for Sir Walter Raleigh’s Colony, November, 1936, p. 908-909.

 

Sir Walter Raleigh. This portrait was engraved shortly before his last voyage and is the only one published during his lifetime. Courtesy Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, North Carolina, by Charles W. Porter III. National Park Service Historical Handbook Series No. 16, Washington, D. C., 1952 (Revised 1956).

 

    “The president of the association (Roanoke Colony Memorial Association-LG) states that all orders received to date (December 20) will be filled, and that ‘no short cut or collusion tactics to boost the price will be permitted.’”⁴

 

⁴ The Numismatist, January, 1937, p. 9.

 

More to follow.

 

[LINCOLNMAN]

Great to see an educational post. Many thanks. Very nice toned example, PL no less. 

[physics-fan3.14]

Cool story, and nice coin! This is one of the few classic commems that comes in PL condition. 

[mommam17]

Great looking PL Roanoke that is much nicer in hand. Not many around 

have CAC stickers......

[physics-fan3.14]

Found this gem in some Heritage auction descriptions of prooflike Roanokes: 

Walter Breen believed that some 50 prooflike presentation pieces were struck of the Roanoke. 

Is there any evidence of this, or is this another of his many fantasies? 

[physics-fan3.14]

Or, even better, satin finish proofs? https://coins.ha.com/itm/commemorative-silver/classic-commemoratives/1937-roanoke-ms-65-prooflike-ngc-probable-satin-finish-proof-ngc-has-certified-this-piece-as-a-prooflike-but-this-term-is/a/208-7471.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515

Probable Satin Finish Proof Roanoke Half with Breen Certification

1937 Roanoke MS 65 Prooflike NGC. Probable Satin Finish Proof. NGC has certified this piece as a Prooflike, but this term is a misleading one to the specialist who has studied this issue closely. There were approximately 50 prooflike presentation pieces struck. These coins have bright, reflective fields, but exhibit only ordinary sharpness of details. From the insert, one would think that is what this piece is. However, that is not the case. There is no reflectivity in the fields, but each side has bright, satiny surfaces--as the Breen-Swiatek reference states: "Their satin finish somewhat resembles that on "Roman Gold" proofs of 1909-10."
A close examination also reveals that the design elements have unusually strong definition. This is borne out by a letter of authentication from Walter Breen, dated June 2, 1989, where he states in part: "I unhesitatingly declare it a genuine satin finish proof. . .On comparison with regular business strikes this piece is notably sharper at key details: upper beard, mustache, hair near ear; Eleanor Dare's hair, sleeves, cuffs, lower bodice, gathered skirt draperies (center of coin)." In other words, the strength of details is comparable to a coin that was struck twice, rather than a singly struck business strike.

[mommam17]

I have heard of New Rochelle presentation pieces, but not Roanokes. They must be really nice looking...

[physics-fan3.14]

22 minutes ago, mommam17 said:

I have heard of New Rochelle presentation pieces

Breen claimed 50 of the New Rochelles were "specimen" strikes. Those have actually also been discredited. NGC used to designate them as "specimen", but does not do that anymore (they are now designated PL, as they should be). There is a notorious dealer who has had a so-called "specimen" for sale on Ebay at a ludicrous price for years. 

[WoodenJefferson]

Bazonga!

Nice commem.

[mommam17]

This is from a Heritage auction last month.    "A total of 50 presentation pieces (now certified as Specimen strikings by PCGS and NGC) were struck on polished blanks from polished working dies and distributed to members of the Coinage Committee, the Westchester County Coin Club, and local dignitaries. The Specimen coins are rarely offered today and examples are highly prized by commemorative collectors."

[leeg]

Thanks all for your comments and questions.  I have found nothing in my research over the years that suggests proof, specimen, or presentation pieces were minted.

 

More history:

    Speculation in the field of memorial coins by a few unscrupulous dealers constitutes a problem to organizations fostering historical commemorations,’ declares D. B. Fearing, chairman of the Roanoke Island Historical Association, the group which is actively sponsoring the celebration of the 350th anniversary of the founding of the first English colony at Fort Raleigh. This celebration, which starts on July 4 and ends on September 4, reaches its climax on August 18, the birthday of Virginia Dare, first white child of English parentage born in this country.

 

    This organization has charge of the issuance of the Virginia Dare-Sir Walter Raleigh commemorative half dollar, and it is because of the high price and misrepresentation of some coin dealers in marketing this piece that Mr. Fearing has been aroused by a very real danger to the public.

    There are several instances which have been reported to us in detail where dealers have declared the issue of this commemorative piece exhausted,’ says Mr. Fearing.

 

    ‘That is definitely not so. We have approximately 8,000 of these half dollars available to order through either the Roanoke Island Historical Society or the Roanoke Colony Memorial Association of Manteo. And it is ridiculous to pay a dealer between two and three dollars when these coins may be secured from us at a cost of one dollar and sixty-five cents, fifteen cents of which covers postage, insurance and handling. All proceeds from the sale of these coins will be used in defraying expenses incidental and appropriate to the commemorative festival. So when a dealer claims this issue is exhausted he is talking through his hat. We have enforced the rule that no more than ten coins are available to any one person, and we reserve the right to reject any order that looks to us as if it were a ringer for a dealer. Orders will be filled in the order of their receipt, but only when accompanied by check, postal or express money order.

 

    “A 450 mile deferred three weeks’ honeymoon on horseback, at an average speed of five miles an hour, is being enjoyed by a Baltimore sculptor, William Marks Simpson and Mrs. Simpson, who visited Endless Caverns yesterday.

 

    Mr. and Mrs. Simpson were married in June, but he was then much too busy to go on a honeymoon. He was putting finishing touches to 19-inch plaster models of his designs for three commemorative half-dollars. Two of these, the Antietam half-dollar and the Roanoke Island coin, have already been issued. The third, the Norfolk half-dollar, will be in circulation soon.

 

    Mr. Simpson, a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, class of ’24 is a distinguished sculptor. He is a winner of the ‘Prix de Rome’ international sculpture award of $8,000 and three years study abroad, and he is director of the Rhinehart School of Sculpture of the Maryland Institute, Baltimore.

    Mrs. Simpson is a sculptress of note, her specialty being animals. Both love horses, and their combination home and studio is in an old remodeled stable in the rear of G 10 West Mt. Vernon Place, Baltimore.

 

    Two weeks ago the pressure of sculpturing let up, and a honeymoon trip seemed a good idea. The Shenandoah Valley and V. M. I. in Lexington appealed more than other objectives, so Mr. and Mrs. Simpson mounted horses and trotted south from their stable-studio. English saddles were used, but by a clever arrangement of straps, a folded pup-tent containing their belongings was secured behind Mr. Simpson’s saddle.

    The trot slowed to a walk as the miles of highways lengthened, and motorists speeding by on the paved roads from Baltimore to Lexington turned to look at the touring couple ambling along on horseback.

 

    Mr. Simpson said their greatest difficulty was finding over-night accommodations for the horses. In some places they had to make arrangements with owners of private stables.

    George M. Newland, veteran major-domo of the endless caverns parking grounds, wanted to park the horses in the long line of cars, but there were no hitching-posts, so he had to tie the animals to a tree in the picnic grounds while Mr. and Mrs. Simpson went through the caverns. And Newland had to let the Baltimore visitors ride off without advertising 'bumper-strips' placed on cars, as he could figure no way to attach them to the front of the horses.”⁶

⁶ The Daily-News Record, Harrisonburg, Virginia, Baltimore Couple Visit  Valley During Honeymoon on Horseback, Saturday, September 25, 1937.

 

Coin designed by William Marks Simpson.  Part of a collection of coins, tokens, paper money, etc., received from President Roosevelt on May 29, 1941. Courtesy bequest of Franklin D. Roosevelt, FDR Library MO 1941.40.4.19.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[physics-fan3.14]

Thanks leeg!

 

Do you have info on presentation pieces of the New Rochelle, which were also mentioned?

[leeg]

28 minutes ago, physics-fan3.14 said:

Thanks leeg!

 

Do you have info on presentation pieces of the New Rochelle, which were also mentioned?

 

    Several Authors have mentioned the 50 presentation pieces for the New Rochelle half dollar.  I have found no information to substantiate this claim.  I have read "One Fatte Calf' which is the story around the minting and celebration of the New Rochelle half dollar and contacted the President of The Westchester County Coin Club and neither can provide me proof that presentation pieces were minted.

    This is the coin that was given to FDR:

 

Coin designed by Miss Gertrude K. Lathrop.  Part of a collection of coins, tokens, paper money, etc., received from President Roosevelt on May 29, 1941. Courtesy bequest of Franklin D. Roosevelt, FDR Library MO 1941.40.4.16.

  In my opinion if there were presentation pieces minted, President Roosevelt would have received one.

 

[leeg]

    “. . .Initial sales were brisk; so after the first 25,000 were struck, another 25,000 were minted. Each coin cost $1.65, of which fifteen cents went for postage. However, the public interest began to wane as Americans finally developed ‘fatigue’ from the proliferation of commemorative coins being sold during the era and sales stagnated. Almost 30,000 were returned to the mint and melted down. Some coins were still available to the public as late as 1940. The Roanoke Island Historical Association had a small supply that could be purchased at the Fort Raleigh Museum or by contacting C.S. Meekings, who was the treasurer of the RIHA.⁽²⁹⁵⁾

 

Today, one of these coins fetches between $200-$300 each.

 

    A particularly interesting side story concerns Margalene Thomas, who proudly proclaims her Midgett ancestry. Over the years, this lady has played every female role in the ‘Lost Colony’ production. As a very young girl, she was paid for her part in the production with several of these commemorative coins. As times were tough during the period, most ended up being used to pay for family expenses. However, she still has one remaining coin, that she still wears proudly around her neck as a reminder of he [sic] early childhood days in the ‘Lost Colony.)”⁷

⁷ The Commemorative Trail, The Journal of the Society for U.S. Commemorative Coins, Women and Commems, by Helen L. Carmody (R-0007, CA), Spring – 1996, Volume

13 - #3

, p. 27.

 

Courtesy of the U. S. Commission of Fine Arts

 

Minutes of Meeting held in Washington, D.C. December 12, 1936.

 

The following members were present:

Mr. Moore, Chairman,

Mr. Clarke,

Mr. Lawrie,

Mr. Howells,

Mr. Savage,

Mr. Borie

 

Also Mr. H. P. Caemmerer, Secretary and Executive Officer.

 

⁶ Roanoke Island, Special Resource Study, written by Brian T. Crumley, Ph.D., edited by Frank J. J. Miele, of the National Park Service, p. 61-62.

⁷ The Commemorative Trail, The Journal of the Society for U.S. Commemorative Coins, Women and Commems, by Helen L. Carmody (R-0007, CA), Spring – 1996, Volume

13 - #3

, p. 27.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Original obverse model by William Marks Simpson. Courtesy of the Commission of Fine Arts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Original reverse model by William Marks Simpson. Courtesy of the Commission of Fine Arts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Adopted obverse model by William Marks Simpson. Courtesy of the Commission of Fine Arts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Adopted reverse model by William Marks Simpson. Courtesy of the Commission of Fine Arts.

 

Courtesy of the U. S. Commission of Fine Arts

 

Minutes of Meeting held in Washington, D.C. December 12, 1936.

 

Roanoke Island—Virginia Dare Coin: Under date of December 7, 1936, the models for the Roanoke Island—Virginia Dare Coin were transmitted to the Commission of Fine Arts by the Acting Director of the Mint with letter as follows:

December 7, 1936.

Hon. Charles Moore,

Chairman,

Commission of Fine Arts,

Navy Department Building

Washington, D.C.

 

Dear Sir:

    This Bureau is in receipt of a plaster model executed by Mr. William Marks Simpson, Baltimore, Maryland, for the coin authorized by the Act of June 24, 1936, authorizing the coinage of fifty-cent pieces in commemoration of the 350th anniversary of Sir Walter Raleigh’s colony on Roanoke Island, N.C., and the birth of Virginia Dare, the first child of English parentage born on the American Continent. It is understood that you have photographs of these models which may be used by you in considering the merits of this design and that it will not be necessary for us to present to you again the plaster model. This Bureau will appreciate your courtesy in advising us as to the artistic merits of the designs.forwarding models which have been submitted for the fifty-cent piece authorized by the Act of May 2, 1935, providing for the coinage of fifty-cent pieces in commemoration of the three hundredth anniversary of the founding of the City of Providence, Rhode Island.

    It is obvious that the name ‘Raleigh’ as it appears on the model is incorrectly spelled. It is the opinion of the Bureau that the spelling should conform to the spelling used in the Act authorizing the issue of these coins.

Very truly yours,

 

(Signed) M.M. O’Reilly,

Acting Director of the Mint.

 

    The secretary submitted photographs of the models to Mr. Lawrie, who reported that he thought the models very good, one reason being that they are so well covered by the design. The Commission also liked the design. The secretary stated that he had received a letter from Mr. Simpson, the sculptor, giving his reasons for spelling the name, Ralegh (Exhibit B). The Commission advised that Mr. Simpson should use the spelling as done in the United States and also to conform to the Act of Congress spelling, which is Raleigh. Understanding that the name would be changed, the Commission reported approval to the Director of the Mint. (Exhibit B-1) (Mr. Simpson is a graduate of the American Academy in Rome.)

 

Exhibit B

 

8 W. Mt. Vernon Place

Baltimore, Maryland

December 11, 1936.

Mr. H. P. Caemmerer, Secretary

The Commission of Fine Arts

Navy Department Building

Washington, D.C.

 

Dear Mr. Caemmerer:

    In regard to the spelling of the name ‘Ralegh’ appearing on the models for the ‘Sir Walter Ralegh-Virginia Dare’ commemorative coin I am submitting today to the Commission of Fine Arts, may I present herewith quotations from eminent authorities as an explanation. 

 

THE SPELLING OF RALEGH’S NAME

 

    He himself signs himself once, in 1578, as Rawleyghe; then, until 1583, he usually signs Rauley. ‘From June 9, 1584, he used till his death no other signature than Ralegh. It appears in his books when the name is mentioned. Of the 169 letters collected by Mr. Edward Edwards, 135 are this signed. . .The spelling Raleigh, which posterity has preferred, happens to be the one he is not known to have ever employed.’

    A deed signed by his father was Ralegh; and his brother Carew Ralegh signed himself Rawlygh.

    ‘SIR WALTER RALEGH LAST OF THE ELIZABETHANS’ by Edward Thompson. The name ‘Ralegh’ is spelled likewise Ralegh by the Walpole Society of England, whose publication 1919-1920 is in the Library of Congress – Class N-12; Book W-3.

    The Walpole Society founded 1911 to further the study of history of British Art. The 21 Volumes issued are large quartos fully illustrated and dealing authoritatively with all of the aspects of art in England, excluding only the work of living artists.

    The Honorable Secretary, J. W. Goodison, King’s College, Cambridge quoted this from the book called ‘THE YEAR’S ART, 1935’ by A.C.R. Carter.

Very truly yours,

 

(Signed) William Marks Simpson

 

Exhibit B-1

December 12, 1936.

Dear Miss O’Reilly:

    The Commission of Fine Arts at their meeting on December 12, 1936, considered the models for the Sir Walter Raleigh—Virginia Dare Commemorative Coin by William Marks Simpson, sculptor, of Baltimore.

    The models are satisfactorily designed but the Commission disapprove the spelling of Raleigh’s name as Ralegh. In the opinion of this Commission the name should be spelled Raleigh as it is customary to do so in the United States and as it appears in the Act of Congress providing for this memorial coin.

    Subject to this change the Commission of Fine Arts approve the models.

    For the Commission of Fine Arts:

 

Very truly yours,

 

(Signed) Charles Moore,

Chairman,

 

Miss M.M. O’Reilly,

Acting Director of the Mint,

Treasury Department,

Washington, D.C.

 

    Cornelius Vermeule writes: William Marks Simpson, codesigner of the coin for Norfolk’s bicentennial, continued his penchant for too much lettering surrounding early American themes. The disparate scale of the lettering on the Roanoke Island, North Carolina, half dollar of 1937, all of which is really too large, sits uneasily on obverse and reverse. Sir Walter Raleigh resembles the movie actor Errol Flynn, who was specializing in historical films at the time Simpson was creating this coin. The frozen, mannered statue of Virginia Dare in the arms of Ellinor Dare, all set on a pedestal on the reverse, is a purely 20th-century neoclassic concept of motherhood, flapping and nobly sentimental even in miniature. . .It looks like low-relief concepts of Leto, carrying the infants Apollo and Artemis, on Greek imperial cons of Caria in the third century A.D., and ultimately like the Greco-Roman statue of the fleeing daughter of Niobe in the Vatican Museum.

 

Hope you enjoyed the history lesson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[physics-fan3.14]

Leeg, any update on when your book might come out? You've done so much research on these commems that I'm sure it will set the new standard for this series! 

You're probably up to a 3 volume set by now?

[leeg]

You're probably right.  I find one new piece of info which leads to another, and another, etc.

I just have to say enough.

I had a hard drive failure, wasn't backing up regularly, so rewriting some info.

Right now just putting every chapter in order then to a subject matter experts for their review.

Might be another year till in print.

Thanks for asking.

[mommam17]

I remember back in the early 80's when Jim Iacovo and Ray Mercer were putting their commem book together. It took a while to all come together......

[leeg]

A forgot to mention my Roanoke is 65PL in an old holder.