Q. David Bowers
"The annual convention of the American Numismatic Association held its meeting in Davenport, August 17-21, inclusive, and the officers and board members of this association were kind enough to hold a meeting with the members of our committee. As a result of this meeting, Mr. Burton H. Saxton (Saxton was an important figure in the ANA and served at one time as advertising manager and as editor of The Numismatist.) [offered to make a] rough sketch of the basic suggestions we discussed, if we thought it would be of value. At our request, he prepared this rough sketch and this is likewise enclosed for your consideration. Frankly, we are not experts nor artists. Hence, our decision was to submit these few basic suggestions to you, as the artist we have engaged, with the full confidence that your experience will enable you to produce a beautiful commemorative half dollar for the State of Iowa. Furthermore, we are assured that such experience will produce a design acceptable to the Treasury Department and thereby expedite actual coinage. We know that you are thoroughly familiar with the requirements of the Treasury Department with respect to certain inscriptions and devices required by law to appear upon United States coins in addition to the design which you will prepare to commemorate Iowa's statehood centennial.
"Trusting to hear from you at the earliest possible date, we are
"Most cordially yours,
"State Centennial Sub-Committee on Coin
"Mrs. Dwight D. Humeston "William J. Petersen
"Ralph Evans, Chairman"
Letter from Ralph Evans to Adam Pietz; datelined Davenport, Iowa, September 3, 1946 (on Iowa Centennial Committee (Committee members: Lester Milligan, Chairman; Edith Wasson McElroy, Executive Secretary.) letterhead, State House, Des Moines 19, Iowa):
"Dear Mr. Pietz:
"I have just received your letter dated August 30, and have telephoned to the proper authorities at the State University of Iowa at Iowa City, requesting them to send you by airmail, special delivery, a squeegee print of the Old Stone Capitol building, front view of the building itself as large as possible, at least 5" tall from wall to wall for detail.
"For your additional information, the following is quoted from a letter dated August 15, addressed to Honorable Robert D. Blue, governor of Iowa, by Leland Howard, acting director of the Mint.
For your information the models must be of plaster and should not exceed 8 1/2 inches in diameter and should be executed in such a manner as to be suitable for coinage purposes. The background or field should have a slight radius, that is the background must curve slightly from center to meet the edge of the coin or border. A model with an absolutely flat background would be practically impossible to coin. The extreme depth of relief from the border to the deepest part should not exceed 5/32 of an inch and the highest part of the design should be kept slightly under the level of the border. (This is a technical description of the requirements involved in making a commemorative half dollar model (or, for that matter, any coin whose dies would ultimately be made from the Hill reducing machine in use at the Mint at that time).
"There are certain inscriptions and devices required by law to appear upon United States coins in addition to the design which may be chosen by you. The coinage laws require that upon the coins there shall be the following devices and legends: On one side there shall be an impression emblematic of liberty with an inscription of the word 'Liberty' and the year of the coinage, and upon the reverse shall be the figure or representation of an eagle with the inscription "United States of America,' 'E Pluribus Unum' and the designation of the value of the coin. There shall also appear the motto 'In God We Trust.'
"'Although the law defines legends and devices to be employed, some liberty is given in the preparation of designs for special coins. It is, therefore, permissible to employ some design which has bearing upon the event or person to be honored. It is suggested that the artists submit a pencilled or colored design to the Bureau of
"We are pleased to note that you realize the time element involved and that you will do everything within your power to hasten the preparation of the sketches for consideration by our committee. We understand that the proposed design must be approved by the Fine Arts Commission in Washington, so it probably would be better to obtain such approval before the sculptured models are prepared. Some time might be saved if, upon receipt of approval from our committee on the sketches sub-mitted, you are able to handle the approval from the Treasury Department in Washington, direct. What is your own thought in regard to this? Time is the essential factor and anything we can do to hasten actual coinage of the Iowa commemorative half dollar will be a sensible procedure.
"As already stated, we have full confidence in you as the artist to produce one of the finest commemorative coins ever minted.
"Sincerely yours,
"Ralph Evans, Chairman
"State Centennial Sub-Committee on Coin"
Letter from Adam Pietz to Ralph Evans, September 4, 1946:
"Dear Sir:
"A very fine photograph of the Iowa State Capitol and your letter arrived this morning. May I suggest that in my opinion the best coin for your centennial should be the State Capitol on the obverse and a portrait of the first governor, or the present governor, in profile, on the reverse. While I am going to submit sketches, on your first suggestion, the Seal, also the flag with eagle, will not make up very well.
"I shall personally see the Mint Sculptor for his consideration. I know from past experience that the Art Jury does not pass on designs in this case, and it will mean a delay. You can be assured that I know all of the technical details required, for size, basin and relief. Let all of your contacts be with me, and you will have the models on time. Please send me a portrait of your Governor, as I wish to incorporate this along with sketches now in progress.
"Yours very truly, "Adam Pietz"