1920 Maine Centennial Half Dollar
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Chairman Moore then contacted the secretary of the Treasury, stating that if accepted the design "would result in a coin far below the standard set by the new fifty-cent piece" (a reference to the highly-acclaimed Walking Liberty design by Adolph A. Weinman for regular issue half dollars in use in circulation since 1916). "The design proposed is positively bad, and would bring humiliation to the people of Maine if it should be executed," Moore continued. "The Treasury Department and the Mint also would be made to suffer criticisms from the people who have now been aroused to a feeling and demand for an artistic coinage" (again a reference to the new silver coinage of 1916).
Further allusions were made by Moore to other coin designs of earlier times, probably Charles E. Barber's dime, quarter, and half dollar motifs of 1892-1916, which had been widely criticized from nearly the first day they were produced:
"We should not return to the low standards that have formerly prevailed. This is especially true in the present instance, where the coin goes ultimately to collectors and becomes a permanent memorial of the state of Maine."
The Maine Centennial Commission remained adamant. No change was wanted. The sketch was given to sculptor Anthony DeFrancisci, whose credentials were excellent, who did the best he could to create acceptable models from the design provided.1 At the Philadelphia Mint the Engraving Department translated the models into coin dies. The result was a motif that few lauded for its beauty. The obverse was taken from the arms of the State of Maine and depicted a farmer, sailor, pine tree on a shield, moose, and other elements, whereas the reverse simply bore inscriptions and a heavy wreath of pine in keeping with the Pine Tree State nickname given to Maine.
1 In 1921 DeFrancisci would create the design for the Peace silver dollar, a regular issue.
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