Owner Comments:
SO-CALLED HALF DOLLAR APPEARANCE/CONDITION:
Choice Brilliant Gem: Deep Proof Like
*The fields have been polished down to black chrome pools, and the devices are billowing with heavy, white Cameo contrast. Blazing white, spot free, gem surfaces. - Among the top-10 finest graded specimens. Just 3 examples grade higher, where MS-68 DPL is at the top of the population report.
SO-CALLED HALF DOLLAR BACKGROUND:
“Struck in recognition of the Pony Express Diamond Jubilee (60 years). Additionally, the reverse depicts a relay station where ponies were changed for riders on the mail route. — This issue was designed by Charles Smith and subsequently privately struck by Whitehead and Hoag.
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The Pony Express So-Called Half Dollar is dated 1935, but is actually one of eight medals commissioned by Charles Smith in 1947. Each commemorated an important American theme, and were struck by the company of Whitehead & Hoag. Great mystery surrounds the eight Charles Smith So-Called Half dollars of 1947. Each is dated between 1925 and 1947, and it's likely that some issues were actually struck in those earlier years, and again in 1947, as a complete set. There are
die varieties and variations in planchet thickness. There are bronze, nickel, and gilt bronze compositions. Also, some were issued in satin, while others, like this piece, were issued with deeply mirrored fields and frosty, Cameo devices (hence the DPL designation).
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Initially, I was hesitant to look for and add the “official” 1960 Pony Express Centennial Medals to this collection (HK-582 & HK-583), as well as the 1961 Termination Centennials (HK-588 & HK-589), both Pony Express So-Called Half Dollars including any potential varieties (C. Smith and R. McNamara), the 1960 2 1/4 inch "Founders" medals struck in both bronze and silver (SWO-31-Ic & SWO-31-II) and the 1961 2 1/4 inch silver Termination medal (SWO-31-I) since they did not have anything Colorado-related in their design. However, the history behind them certainly does. Upon further research and thought, the “Pony Express” Pacific route initially ran through 8 states, Colorado included. Furthermore, the National Pony Express Centennial Association Board of Governors that established this historic event included 8 state governors, Colorado being included, as well. The Pony Express Centennial held associated celebrations in each of these states as noted by the subsequent Colorado-specific so-called dollars that were issued (HK-584 & HK-585). With the riders following the original route through part of Colorado, both in the 1860s and on the 1960 full scale re-run 100 years later, I have concluded all Pony Express issues are not just relevant to Colorado, but necessary for this collection! Therefore, I have attempted to acquire the complete collection.
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Along the long and arduous route used by the Pony Express, 190 stations were used, 2 of which were in Colorado. The stations and station keepers were essential to the successful, timely, and smooth operation of the Pony Express mail system. The stations in Colorado were as follows:
“Division Two: Stations between Fort Kearney and Horseshoe Creek”
Colorado:
42. Frontz's/South Platte Station
43. Julesburg Station
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As of August 2022, I have acquired both 1947 and 1960 Pony Express So-Called Half-Dollars (C. Smith and R. McNamara issues; including both the white metal and gilt varieties of the C. Smith issue) (100%). Additionally, I have obtained all six 1960-1961 Pony Express So-Called Dollars (100%). The SC50C and SC$1 collection goals have been completed. Lastly, I have obtained 2 of the 3 associated Pony Express Mint Medals (both silver varieties; ~66%). However, the bronze “Founders” issue presented to the “re-run” riders is much scarcer than its silver counterpart. I am still pursuing this example. — The details of the complete sub-set are listed below:
- SC50C (1947 C. Smith Pony Express Diamond Jubilee; White Metal): NGC MS-67 DPL
- SC50C (1947 C. Smith Pony Express Diamond Jubilee; Gilt): Pending NGC Grading
- SC50C (1960 R. McNamara Pony Express Centennial Heraldic Art Medal): NGC MS-67
- HK-582 (1960 Pony Express Centennial - Official Medal: Silver): NGC MS-67 (R2)
- HK-583 (1960 Pony Express Centennial- Official Medal: Bronze): NGC MS-67 RD (R1)
- HK-584 (1960 “Mumey Dollar”): NGC MS-64 (R5)
- HK-585 (1960 East “Tincup Dollar” - Type I): NGC MS-66 (R3)
- HK-588 (1961 Pony Express Termination Centennial: Silver): NGC MS-68 (R3)
- HK-589 (1961 Pony Express Termination Centennial: Bronze): NGC MS-66 RB (R1)
- SWO-31-Ic (1960 National Pony Express Centennial - “Founders” Medal: Silver): NGC MS-64
- SWO-31-II (1960 National Pony Express Centennial - “Founders” Medal: Bronze): N/A
- SWO-31-I (1961 National Pony Express “Termination” Medal: Silver) NGC MS-67
DESIGNER: Charles Smith
RARITY:
Mintage number unknown, nor documented.
(NGC Pop = 7; 3 Finer - NGC Total Pop (DPL) = 19; NGC Total Pop (MS/PL/DPL) = 190): [08/2022]
SO-CALLED HALF DOLLAR DESCRIPTION:
(Struck by Whitehead & Hoag, White Metal, 32mm, Round, Plain Edge)
OBVERSE: Oregon Trail Memorial Ass’n - Pony Express Diamond Jubilee / (Image of Mail Rider on Pony) / 1860 1935
REVERSE: Changing Ponies / (Depiction of 2 Ponies and Riders at Relay Station Being Swapped Out) / Relay Station / Whitehead & Hoag
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
(C. Smith So-Called Half Dollars):
“Charles F. Smith was a Boston coin dealer. It is believed he was not a big dealer. At the time Smith's medals were issued, the US Congress was putting an end to US commemorative half dollar coins. Smith may have believed he could fill a void in the marketplace by creating commemorative medals that were roughly the same size. Smith's medals were slightly larger at 32 mm in diameter to avoid running afoul of the US Government. The Battle of Lexington, the Daniel Boone, the Lindbergh, the Antarctic Expedition and the Pony Express pieces were all originally issued prior to 1947; Whitehead and Hoag re-struck these medals for Smith from the dies they had used in prior years.
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“Some of the 1947 and 1948 so called half dollars can be found in bronze and/or gilt bronze. The following are known:
- PONY EXPRESS DIAMOND JUBILEE 1860-1935 (gilt)
- LINDBERGH - NY TO PARIS 1927 (gilt and bronze)
- R. BYRD ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION 1928-1930 (gilt)
- T. EDISON CENTENNIAL 1847-1947 (gilt and bronze)
- 1948 WILLIAM T.SAMPSON 1898-1948 (gilt)
Credited Source: cointalk.com/threads | “A Little Study on Mid-1900s C. Smith So-Called Half Dollars and Other Medals”