Oregon Trail Commemoratives – 1926-1939 Jaime Hernandez - December 18, 2008
1811 John Jacob Astor, the wealthiest man in America, orchestrated
one of the most significant explorations of new lands in the
West. Astor, America's first multi-millionaire and a successful
fur trader and entrepreneur, arranged for two groups of men
to travel from St. Louis to the West in hopes of expanding
his successful fur trading business westward.
One of the groups he sent on this journey ran out of food,
supplies and livestock due in part to the tough terrain they
encountered. A small group was sent back to St. Louis to request
assistance from Astor. This group, led by Robert Stuart, stumbled
upon a large passage through the Rocky Mountains. This passage
permitted sizeable wagons to pass through it, something that
was previously believed to be practically impossible.
As a result, this exploration gave way to the historical
and significant path to the West, allowing passage for well
over a half-million settlers. Most of the settlers who traveled
this 2,000 mile path consisted of women and children, as can
be seen on the obverse of the Oregon Trail Commemorative coins.
These families were in search of a better life in the West,
where it was believed there were new lands with bountiful
harvest. Several years later, many more families would travel
further west, hoping to prosper from the California Gold Rush.
Oregon Trail Commemorative coins were produced for several
years with the same design, with the exception of the different
dates and mint marks. The different coins were produced as
They were first produced in 1926 at the Philadelphia and
No coins were produced in 1927, as1926-dated coins remained
in the Mint's inventory.
In 1928, the coins were only produced in Philadelphia.
In 1933 and 1934, they were only produced in Denver.
In 1936, the coins were produced in Philadelphia and San Francisco.
In 1937, they were only produced in Denver.
In 1938, the Mint produced the coins in Philadelphia, Denver
and San Francisco.
In 1939 the Mint produced the coins in Philadelphia, Denver
and San Francisco. (The 1939 coins contain the lowest mintages
for the Oregon Trail Commemorative series, as each mint produced
and sold 3,000 coins).
Oregon Trail Commemorative coins were introduced to commemorate
all of the brave women, children and men who took this extremely
difficult journey. These brave individuals set a significant
path which helped enable the expansion of America further
to the west.
The Oregon Trail Commemorative coins display a Conestoga
wagon on the obverse. On the wagon, there are a woman and
child (more than likely a mother and her child). Walking and
leading the crew is probably the father of the family who
is guiding the oxen through the Oregon Trail in a quest to
what they hope will be prosperous new lands. Portrayed in
the background is a radiant, illuminating sun with large rays
extending toward the rim of the coin. Arched above this historically
significant scene are the words “In God We Trust.”
The theme celebrates the hundreds of thousands of individuals
who were brave enough to take this extremely difficult journey.
An American Indian with an envious and powerful physique
is featured on the reverse. The Indian seems to be posed in
a serious stance, either to stop some of the settlers or briefly
interact with them as they pass through the Indian-inhabited
lands. In his right hand, he unthreateningly carries his hunting
bow. On his left shoulder he carries a long, draped blanket.
He is wearing a long, feather-ornamented bonnet. Behind him
is an outlined map of the United States of America, and within
the map there several Conestoga wagons traveling to the new
lands in the West.