By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
The abuses of the traditional U.S. commemorative coin period reached full steam within the Thirties as competing promoters pushed Congress to cross one coin invoice after one other. By this time, requests for multi-year coin payments had been changing into commonplace, and the Arkansas Centennial Fee was capable of get their multi-coin invoice handed on Could 14, 1934. The primary 10,000 1935 Arkansas Centennial Half {Dollars} rolled off the presses on the Philadelphia Mint in Could 1935 and had been offered for $1 every. By September 1935, the inventory was exhausted.
Fort Value, Texas supplier B. Max Mehl, in collaboration with the Fee, ordered the manufacturing of 5,500 further cash to be struck on the Denver and San Francisco mints. Mehl provided these cash on the market at a premium worth of $2.75 (or $5.00 for each). Manufacturing of the Arkansas Centennial Half Greenback continued via 1939, with Stack’s of New York dealing with a lot of the promotion and distribution.
In 1936, the Centennial Fee noticed a possibility to extend enthusiasm (learn: revenue) for his or her cash: new designs. Following the lead of the Texas Centennial Fee, which sought Congressional approval to create 5 new reverses for its half greenback, the Arkansas Fee requested authorization to supply three new reverses for its coin. Congress denied the Texas request however did authorize, with the passage of the Act of June 6, 1936 (Public Law 831), one new reverse design for the Arkansas coin (numismatists usually contemplate the Robinson facet the obverse, nevertheless).
Who Was Joseph T. Robinson?
The 1936 Arkansas Robinson Half Greenback honors Joseph T. Robinson, Governor of Arkansas and 1928 Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee. Robinson was born on August 26, 1872, and served because the Senate Majority Chief on the time of the coin’s launch. After attending regulation college on the College of Virginia, Robinson returned to Arkansas, the place he received a seat within the state’s Basic Meeting. In 1903, he was elected to Congress. Robinson was a political progressive and lifelong Democrat. In 1912, Robinson was elected governor of Arkansas however solely held the place from January 16 to March 8, 1913. Following the demise of Arkansas Senator Jefferson Davis (no relation to the Accomplice President), the state legislature elected Robinson to fill the place.
Robinson had presidential aspirations and received his occasion’s nomination for Vice President within the 1928 Presidential Election, when Democratic New York Governor Al Smith was trounced within the Electoral Faculty by Republican Herbert Hoover.
Robinson developed a masterful model within the Senate and was one of many key champions of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal“. His legislative accomplishments straight impacted hundreds of thousands of Individuals struggling to get by through the Nice Despair.
On the time of the coin’s launch, Robinson was nonetheless alive, making him the fourth particular person to be honored with a United States coin whereas dwelling. Robinson died on July 14, 1937.
How Many 1936 Arkansas Robinson Half {Dollars} Have been Struck?
| Date | Enterprise Strikes | Assay Cash | Proofs | No. Melted | Internet Mintage |
| 1936 | 25,250 | 15 | 8 | 0 | 25,250 |
Congress licensed a mintage of fifty,000 items however solely half of that was struck. The complete mintage was struck in January 1937. Stack’s distributed the cash for $1.85 every.
Along with the 25,250 enterprise strikes, eight Satin-End “Proofs” had been reportedly struck, with the Arkansas Centennial Fee presenting 4 to supplier Wayte Raymond. These points are almost imperceptible from common strikes however had been allegedly made utilizing specifically ready dies with one press blow at elevated stress. Two had been earmarked for President Roosevelt and Senator Robinson.
In keeping with commemorative coin specialist Anthony Swiatek, the Satin-End Proofs had been introduced in black leather-grained presentation instances, just like the one seen above. Stack’s Bowers offered this specific coin and case at a June 2023 public sale however remarked that the coin gave the impression to be a circulation strike subject. The bidders felt in a different way, as curiosity within the piece was so vital that the coin and box sold for $6,600.
How A lot Are 1936 Arkansas Robinson Half {Dollars} Value?
The 1936 Arkansas Robinson Half Greenback was not meant for circulation as a commemorative half greenback offered at a premium. Nevertheless, a few of these entered circulation and present varied levels of wear and tear, whereas others present indicators of collector mishandling like cleansing or environmental injury. Circulated and impaired cash promote for discounted costs, though there may be some curiosity in assembling units of truthfully circulated traditional commemorative cash for a section of commemorative coin collectors.
In Mint State, the 1936 Arkansas Robinson Half Greenback is plentiful within the grades MS64 to MS66, however even well-preserved cash differ in high quality. Luster will run the gamut from sensible to boring, though most exhibit a frosty look. Earlier than distribution, most of the cash of this subject had been marked up to some extent. Most undipped examples exhibit subpar firming, even in excessive grades. Practically each coin that’s blast white in 2024 has been dipped sooner or later to take away tarnish. In our survey of the upper-end examples, we discover which might be only a few PQ rainbow-toned cash.
Via the grade MS65, the 1936 Arkansas Robinson Half Greenback is reasonably priced, with examples promoting for between $100 and $120 on common. MS66 cash present an excellent worth and promote for under twice this quantity. In MS67, costs improve to $1,000 or extra. In our opinion, MS66 cash with nice eye attraction are a greater purchase than the run-of-the-mill MS67 piece with mottled or darkish firming. Nevertheless, your gathering objectives will dictate which coin is best for you.
Probably the most cash paid at public sale for a 1936 Arkansas Robinson Half Greenback is $20,700 for Bruce Scher’s PCGS MS68 instance. That worth degree was achieved in 2005 and we consider the coin would promote for much less cash right this moment.
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Market Information and Noteworthy Specimens
Wayte Raymond is claimed to have bought a big amount of Robinson halves and as soon as approached supplier Abe Kosoff to see if he would purchase 8,000 of them from him at 70¢ every. It seems that Raymond was charged 60¢ every for the cash that Stack’s couldn’t promote. Kosoff says New York Metropolis collector Elliot Smith had financed the Stack’s deal. Kosoff offered the cash in 200-coin heaps for $1.10 every and offered 1,000 items to Howard MacIntosh of the Tatham Firm.
In he December 1947 subject of The Numismatist, supplier Earl C. College of Detroit, Michigan positioned a need advert for commemorative half {dollars}, the place he posted a purchase worth of $1.40 for a Sensible Uncirculated 1936 Arkansas Robinson Half Greenback. In that very same subject, fellow Detroit supplier R. Bart Holmes provided examples on the market for $1.75, as did supplier Henry Grunthal of New York.
In a December 1974 Numismatic Scrapbook Journal advert, sellers Frank J. and Laurene Katen of Silver Spring, Maryland, provided sensible uncirculated examples of the 1936 Arkansas Robinson Half Greenback for $85 every.
In a two-page advert printed within the October 1976 subject of The Numismatist, supplier Joel Rettew provided Gem BU examples of the 1936 Arkansas Robinson Half Greenback for $85 every.
The PCGS MS68 inhabitants of 1 has been fixed since not less than 1998.
High Inhabitants: PCGS MS68 (1, 10/2024), NGC MS68 (2, 10/2024), and CAC MS67+ (0:1 stickered:graded, 10/2024).
- NGC MS68 #4877577-001: As PCGS MS67. “The Tom Valos Assortment,” Heritage Auctions, April 27, 2002, Lot 8192 – $4,887.50. As NGC MS68 #4877577-001. Heritage Auctions, April 26, 2019, Lot 4491 – $7,200. Iridescent gold, violet and inexperienced firming on the obverse.
- PCGS MS68 #21765171: As PCGS MS68 #5291479. Heritage Auctions, July 27, 2002, Lot 5100 – $14,375. As PCGS MS68 #21765171. “The Bruce Scher #1 All-Time PCGS Registry Set,” Heritage Auctions, February 24, 2005, Lot 4177 – $20,700. High pop, pop one coin. Scattered orange and inexperienced firming.
- NGC MS67+ #6612581-001: Heritage Auctions, July 23, 2023, Lot 7487 – $1,500. Hazy russet and ice blue firming.
- NGC MS67+ #6325769-006: Stack’s Bowers, November 3, 2022, Lot 8297 – $1,440. Iridescent surfaces with goldenrod firming across the obverse periphery.
- NGC MS67+ #5742557-012: Heritage Auctions, January 24, 2021, Lot 7517 – $1,447.20; Heritage Auctions, June 20, 2021, Lot 7303 – $1,740. Scattered russet firming on the obverse and reverse.
- PCGS MS67+ CAC #09834256: As PCGS MS67 CAC #9834256. Stack’s Bowers, June 19, 2020, Lot 1518 – $1,320. Heritage Auctions, January 22, 2021, Lot 4415 – $4,560. Upgraded one-half level. Pink and gold firming across the periphery and wisps of firming on Robinson’s jaw.
- PCGS MS67 #50792123: DLRC, November 10, 2024, Lot 797383 – View.
- PCGS MS67 CAC #50131276: “The 5 Generations of Eby Assortment,” Heritage Auctions, January 11, 2019, Lot 6199 – $1,800.
- PCGS MS67+ CAC #25607260: As NGC MS66 #238525-003. Heritage Auctions, January 12, 2002, Lot 8875 – $1,725. As PCGS MS67 #18466068. Heritage Auctions, August 14, 2015, Lot 6672 – $3,290. Upgraded one level. As PCGS MS67+ CAC #25607260. Heritage Auctions, July 7, 2017, Lot 4395 – $5,522.50. Upgraded one-half level. Darkly toned on either side.
- PCGS MS67 CAC #4721059: Stack’s Bowers, June 15, 2022, Lot 2272 – $1,440. Faint firming across the periphery.
- PCGS MS67 CAC #43206145: As PCGS MS67 CAC #39327808. “The Fort Lee Assortment,” Stack’s Bowers, August 25, 2021, Lot 9845 – $1,440. Faint firming across the periphery. Since this sale, the coin has been recertified by PCGS.
- NGC MS67 CAC #6060528-005: Heritage Auctions, August 15, 2021, Lot 91265 – $1,020. Gold and orange firming on either side.
- PCGS MS67 CAC #6557328: Stack’s Bowers, June 11, 2021, Lot 2643 – $2,040. A smattering of mottled firming.
- PCGS MS67 CAC #1577025: Heritage Auctions, July 12, 2019, Lot 3981 – $1,380.
- PCGS MS67 CAC #9730333: Heritage Auctions, April 26, 2019, Lot 4489 – $1,320.
- PCGS MS67 CAC #35683666: “The Cedar Crest Assortment, Half I,” Heritage Auctions, April 26, 2019, Lot 4490 – $2,400. Iridescent mild inexperienced firming on the obverse. Hints of rose firming as nicely.
- PCGS MS67 CAC #4282310: Stack’s Bowers, October 25, 2018, Lot 1633 – $4,080. Satiny surfaces, darkly toned with gold, olive, pink, and inexperienced firming.
- PCGS MS67 CAC #34604639: Heritage Auctions, August 19, 2018, Lot 8290 – $2,040. Principally sensible, with orange firming on the backside of the obverse rim.
- PCGS MS67 CAC #83157034: Heritage Auctions, June 9, 2017, Lot 4529 – $1,527.50. Crescent golden orange firming alongside the obverse left periphery.
- PCGS MS67 CAC #31514251: Heritage Auctions, September 7, 2016, Lot 3262 – $1,410.
- PCGS MS67 CAC #25384247: “The Rolling Thunder 50 Piece Commemorative Assortment,” Heritage Auctions, September 18, 2015, Lot 5423 – $940. Iridescent orange and inexperienced firming in scattered areas.
- PCGS MS67 CAC #50068659: Heritage Auctions, April 25, 2014, Lot 5988 – $2,232.50. Crescent golden orange firming alongside the obverse left periphery.
- PCGS MS67 CAC #1606004: Heritage Auctions, November 30, 2012, Lot 4561 – $1,880. Darkish russet firming on the backside of the obverse. Gentle firming on Okay or ARKANSAS.
- PCGS MS67 CAC #35685450: As NGC MS67 CAC #400374-005. Heritage Auctions, October 19, 2012, Lot 5211 – $1,527.50. Scattered russet firming. Since this sale, this coin has been recertified.
- PCGS MS67 CAC: Stack’s Bowers, August 7, 2012, Lot 9727 – $7,637.50. Orange and pink allover firming on the obverse. Orange and pink tab firming on the reverse.
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Design
Obverse:
A right-facing portrait of Senator Joseph T. Robinson. Robinson’s portrait dominates a lot of the out there canvas. Wrapping across the within the rim is the inscription ARKANSAS CENTENNIAL 1836-1936. LIBERTY seems in small font off of Robinson’s neck to the left. JOSEPH T. ROBINSON seems below Robinson’s chin to the correct. Artist Henry Kreis’ preliminary “Okay” seems subsequent to the rim at 5 o’clock.
Reverse:
Within the forefront, an eagle with unfold wings stands on the solar and clutches a ribbon in its mouth that reads IN GOD WE TRUST and E PLURIBUS UNUM. On the globe are the denomination HALF DOLLAR and the date 1936. Above the eagle is the lozenge-shaped image from the Arkansas flag, as adopted in 1924. The highest star above the phrase ARKANSAS straight references Arkansas’ admission into the Accomplice States of America. The three stars under symbolize the three nations that Arkansas has belonged to: Spain, France, and the United States. The Daughters of the Confederacy was concerned within the designing of this flag.
Edge:
The sting of the 1936 Arkansas Robinson Half Greenback is reeded.
Coin Specs
| Nation: | United States of America |
| Yr of Challenge: | 1936 |
| Denomination: | Half Greenback (50 Cents USD) |
| Mintmark: | None (Philadelphia) |
| Mintage: | 25,265 + 8 Satin Proofs |
| Alloy: | .900 silver, .100 copper |
| Weight: | 12.5 g |
| Diameter: | 30.6 mm |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| OBV Designer: | Henry Kreis, modeled by Enid Bell |
| REV Designer: | Edward Everett Burr, modeled by Emily Bates |
| High quality: | Enterprise Strike + Proof |
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Sources
Kosoff, Abe. Abe Kosoff Remembers. 1981. 13.
Taxay, Don. An Illustrated Historical past of U.S. Commemorative Coinage. Arco. 147.
Swiatek, Anthony. “The Orphan Challenge”, The Numismatist. ANA. August 1993..
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