A collection of a 14-inch reverse plaster, a 10-inch obverse galvano, a 10-inch reverse galvano and a designed by Howard Weinman for the Long Island Tercentenary U.S. Commemorative Half Dollar surfaced in 2024. These were previously unknown to the numismatic community. Howard Weinman passed away in 1976 and these remained in his family's personal collection until they were sold privately in 2024. His father, Adolph A. Weinman, designed the Mercury dime and the Walking Liberty half dollar.
A plaster is the model made during the design process of a coin or medal. They are sculpted in a much larger size than the actual size of the final coin or medal. Plaster casts can be positive or negative and the artist is able to add or carve additional detail.
The reverse plaster has a 14-inch diameter and an inner diameter of 10-inches, which matches the galvanos. The Medallic Art Company applied a silver matte finish. It is in superb condition and does not exhibit any chips or wear within the 10-inch inner diameter, which is typical with most plasters.
In numismatic and medallic work, a galvano is always one-sided and made by placing a bas-relief mold or pattern (of plaster, plastic or metal) in an electrolytic tank containing an electrolyte solution. Galvanos can be made positive or negative (provided the pattern is the opposite: a positive pattern makes a negative galvano). In the numismatic and medallic field, negative galvanos are the form of pattern making of a bas-relief to be converted into a die. Galvano casts are often mounted on wood and become a very desirable wall hanging.
The obverse galvano features the adopted design and has an antique silver matte finish. It depicts a male Dutch settler and an Algonquian Indian. This galvano was produced by Medallic Art Co. in 1936 as notated on back of the original wood frame.
The reverse galvano features the adopted design and has an antique silver matte finish. It depicts a Dutch sailing ship. This galvano was produced by Medallic Art Co. in 1936 as notated on back of the original wood frame.
The obverse and reverse galvanos are virtually "as produced" and are in superb original condition. Since they were kept within the family for 88 years they do not exhibit the typical handling marks, wear or blemishes.
Accompanied with the galvanos and plaster are two full page newspaper articles in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle and the Long Island Sunday Press from April 1936. These articles feature photographs of Howard Weinman sculpting in his studio and completing the plasters for the obverse and reverse of the Long Island Half Dollar Commemorative.
Also included are two original sepia tone photographs of Howard Weinman at his home in Colchester, VT sculpting his plasters for his U.S. Half Dollar. One features him outside near the ocean and the other depicts him in his studio.
Howard Weinman was the son of Adolph Weinman, who designed the U.S. Walking Liberty Half Dollar and the U.S. Mercury Dime.
A plaster with Howard Weinman's first design of the obverse is featured on page 187 of Don Taxay's book An Illustrated History of US Commemorative Coinage. This early design depicts "IN GOD WE TRUST" instead of "E PLURIBUS UNUM" which is what appears on the obverse of the adopted design.
Both the reverse galvano and the reverse plaster have the adopted design but are missing "IN GOD WE TRUST" which was added under the ship at a later date.
Taxay lists 142 silver commemoratives, 85 plasters, but NO galvanos as they are extremely rare in private hands.
In The Encyclopedia of United States Silver & Gold Commemorative Coins by Anthony Swiatek and Walter Breen, there are also NO galvanos referenced. Regarding this Long Island Half Dollar Commemorative, they mention that after being approved by the Federal Commission of Fine Arts, the models were sent to Medallic Art Company. Then, before the Philadelphia Mint struck 100,000 coins, John R. Sinnock, Engraver of the Mint, added "IN GOD WE TRUST" below the ship.
According to USPatterns.com and other numismatic experts, there are only 6 known galvanos for U.S. coins in private hands:
- Judd 1512 Reverse Galvano of the Eagle
for the 1877 Half Dollar
- 1913 Bronze Galvano Reverse of the Buffalo Nickel
- 1916 MacNeil Quarter Dollar Obverse Galvano
- 1916 MacNeil Quarter Dollar Reverse Galvano
- 1936 Obverse Galvano Long Island Half Dollar
- 1936 Reverse Galvano Long Island Half Dollar
During the 20th century, the Medallic Art Co. produced galvanos for James Earle Fraser, Laura Gardin Fraser, Victor D. Brenner, Howard Weinman, and many others. History was made when a record setting price was realized in a 2024 Stack's Bowers auction of a reverse Galvano by James Earle Fraser of his iconic Buffalo Nickel. It was produced by the Medallic Art Company and was sold for $180,000.
The reverse plaster showing the Dutch sailing ship is in superb condition. The Medallic Art Company applied a silver matte finish.
Engraved on the plaster is:
"Master Model as before Second Mould - Type #2"
The obverse and reverse galvanos are virtually "as produced" and are in superb original condition. The Medallic Art Company applied an antique silver matte finish to each galvano.
The galvanos were mounted to hardwood plaques
by the Medallic Art Company in 1936.
The back of both the obverse and reverse galvano clearly shows the incuse design since an antique silver matte finish was applied to preserve them.
The obverse and reverse galvanos are featured on the USPatterns website (uspatterns.com) in the Design Sketches, Models & Galvanos section.
Four Long Island Half Dollar Commemoratives were attached to the hardwood plaques by the Medallic Art Company in 1936. They were carefully removed, examined and weighed. These coins were struck by the Philadelphia Mint, are die struck both sides, have reeding, and weigh 12.5 grams. It appears that these four coins have the same antique silver matte finish as the galvanos.
A nut was welded to the back of each coin, which accounts for the extra gram in the weight.
Accompanied with the galvanos and plaster are two full page newspaper articles in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle and the Long Island Sunday Press from April 1936.
Also included are two original sepia tone photographs of Howard Weinman at his home in Colchester, VT (circa 1935) sculpting his plasters for his U.S. Half Dollar. One features him outside near the ocean and the other depicts him in his studio.
This letter from the Estate of Howard Kenneth Weinman describes the special presentation by The Medallic Art Company for the galvanos and coins on the hardwood plaques.
Featured on the cover of
Mint Error News Magazine Issue 70:
