John Wayne and America’s Bicentennial

Above, John Wayne in the Cody, Wyoming Bicentennial Parade.

Fifty years ago, the nation celebrated its Bicentennial. 

Part of the celebration included events in Cody, Wyoming. The Cody Firearms Museum was dedicated. A big parade was held in Cody. Its grand marshall: John Wayne.

JohnWayne.com posted an article on those events of fifty years ago.

It begins with:

What is the story behind the custom Winchester presented to John Wayne during America’s Bicentennial in Cody, Wyoming? On July 4, 1976, John Wayne traveled to Cody, Wyoming, to celebrate America’s Bicentennial as Grand Marshal of the Cody Stampede Parade. During the celebration, he rang one of four commemorative Liberty Bells, dedicated the new Cody Firearms Museum and received a custom Winchester rifle presented in honor of the nation’s 200th anniversary.

When America celebrates a milestone birthday, John Wayne is never far away. As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, it is worth remembering how the Duke helped celebrate the nation’s Bicentennial fifty years earlier. His appearance in Buffalo Bill’s hometown reflected not only his enduring connection to the American West, but also one of the busiest periods of his career.

Above, the Cody Firearms Museum is now housed at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Remembering The 1976 Bicentennial Year

 

It is hard to believe that we are celebrating the 250 birthday of America. Officially, it is called the Semiquincentennial. 

It was only 50 years ago that we celebrated the Bicentennial (the above image was the official logo). I was at the "ripe old age" of 26 at the time.

My parents and I spent the 1976 July 4th weekend (July 4 fell on a Sunday) in Las Vegas, Nevada with my aunt, uncle and two cousins. On July 3, we went to the Stardust Hotel to see Lido de Paris.

According to Google's A.I. overview:

The Lido de Paris was a legendary French topless revue that ran for 32 years at the Stardust Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, debuting on the resort's opening day in 1958 and running until 1991. Produced by Donn Arden, it was a massive, high-tech production that helped cement the "showgirl" as an enduring icon of Las Vegas culture. 

It seemed a little odd (to me) at the time that I should be attending a topless show with my parents and relatives. But it was a good and entertaining show. 

On Sunday, July 4, we drove home from during the evening hours and we took in the fireworks displays of the desert towns and the suburbs of Los Angeles along the way during the drive. 

Above, Nancy and Ronald Reagan arrive at the Hilton Plaza Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The following month, I was in Kansas City, Missouri for the 1976 Republican National Convention. I was a Ronald Reagan delegate for California. The convention was held at the Kemper Arena. This was the convention in which President Gerald Ford won the GOP nomination over Reagan. 

Above, Kemper Arena, the venue of the 1976 GOP National Convention in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The California Delegation were housed at the Hilton Plaza Hotel. One day during convention week, I managed to take a snapshot of the Reagans arriving at the hotel for a meeting (above photo). 

It is amazing that I still vividly remember things from 50 years ago.

15 Unforgettable Places To Celebrate America's 250th Birthday

Above, Mount Rushmore National Memorial last summer. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Fifty years ago, the nation celebrated its bicentennial. It hardly seems that long ago. My parents and I joint an aunt, uncle and cousins in Las Vegas during the bicentennial weekend.

This year, the nation is celebrating its 250th birthday (or semiquincentennial) on July 4.

USA Today posted an article of fifteen stunning US destinations "that capture the spirit of America." I have visited some of them over the years. 

They begin it with:

America is turning 250, but some of its greatest treasures don't sit behind museum glass. Actually, some of them do. But the awe-inspiring scenes that take your breath away and remind you of the beauty of our nation are hidden along winding roads, tucked into mountain valleys, perched atop sea cliffs and preserved in places that tell the story of who we are.

From a castle built by a Sherlock Holmes actor in Connecticut to lava fields in Idaho that helped train astronauts, these destinations showcase the beauty, ingenuity and delightful weirdness that make the United States unique.

To celebrate the nation's semiquincentennial, the USA TODAY Network rounded up 15 places that capture the spirit of America, in hopes that it inspires travelers to see our land, one unforgettable view, roadside attraction, historic landmark and natural wonder at a time.

To read more, go here. 

1934 $10 Federal Reserve Note

The other day, I found an old ten-dollar bill tucked away in the envelope of a 1776-1976 Bicentennial Uncirculated Silver coin set that was in the strongbox I had opened by a locksmith after over 24 years.

It is a 1934 Federal Reserve Note. It is in circulated condition. It has no tears.

Here's the front:

I have no idea on the values of old currency such as this, but I did do a quick check on it.

At OldCurrencyValues.com:

Series of 1934 $10 Bill – Values and Pricing

Series of 1934 $10 bills with a green seal are very very common.  Many 1934 $10 bills are still in circulation.  Any 1934 $10 bill that isn’t in perfect condition is only worth the face value of $10.  1934 green seal ten dollar bills in perfect condition will carry a slight premium.

Ten dollar bills from 1934 with a star symbol at the end of the serial number have a good chance to be worth $60 or more.  The value of 1934 $10 star notes purely depends on condition and the serial number.

1934 $10 green seals can also have a low serial number.  If the serial number of your bill has six or seven leading zeros then it will certainly command a premium.  Five leading zeros might command a premium.

Series of 1934 green seal $10 bills were signed by W.A. Julian as the Treasurer of The United States and by Henry Morgenthau Jr. as the Secretary of the Treasury.

Here is the reverse side:

1976-S 40% Silver Kennedy Half Dollar

Since we have a blizzard outside, I figured it is best to remain indoors today.

Yesterday, a package arrived containing the 1976-S 40% silver Kennedy Half Dollar graded as gem proof. As I mentioned in a post a week or so ago, this was the last coin the U.S. Mint minted in 40% silver. 

Of all of the coins minted to celebrate the nation's bicentennial, the 1976-S Kennedy Half Dollar was the only coin to contain silver. All the others were copper-clad minted. 

After I found this out, I looked around and found a good deal on this one through APMEX.

1976-S JFK Half Dollar Has 40% Silver

Some time ago, I read the following by the First Commemorative Mint:

The only coin that continued to be made in silver was the Kennedy Half Dollar which was made in 40% silver for circulation only in 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, and 1969. All later coins were made only in copper-nickel.

The 1970 JFK Half Dollar was also minted in 40% silver. Only the 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar was minted in 90% silver.

Due to the above, I was surprised to learn the other day that the 1976-S Kennedy Half Dollar, celebrating the nation's bicentennial, was also minted in 40% silver.

According to Golden Eagle Coins:

1976 was the first year, since 1971, that the US Mint was authorized to use 40% silver in their coin again. The 1976-S Silver Kennedy Half Dollar is in brilliant uncirculated condition and contains 40% silver. 

After finding this out, I decided to order one from APMEX. These coins, which only came from the San Francisco Mint, are a bit rare due to its limited mint run of 11,000,000.

The Stardust and Lido de Paris

Above, the Stardust Hotel in Las Vegas back in the day.

Earlier, I saw a story about congress passing a resolution asking the U.S. Mint to mint a commemorative coin in 2026 for the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. The article mentioned that this would coincide with the 250th anniversary of our independence.

It is hard to believe that in three years it would be 50 years since we celebrated the nation's bicentennial in 1976.

My family celebrated bicentennial Independence Day weekend in Las Vegas with my aunt and uncle and a couple of cousins. One of the things we did was to take in the "Lido de Paris" show at the Stardust Hotel. It seemed a little bit weird at the time that our parents took us to a Las Vegas "titty-flop" (yes, there were some topless showgirls) show. But we (my cousins and I) were of age and survived. We had a great time.

The Stardust is long gone. It closed on November 1, 2006, and the two hotel towers were imploded on March 13, 2007.

Those were the days when Las Vegas wasn't crowded, affordable and was fun.

Here's a video about "Lido de Paris":

1976 "First Day of Issue" $2.00 Bills

Above, some of the "First Day of Issue" $2.00 bills that were in the strongbox. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I had a strongbox opened by a local locksmith recently, I found inside an envelope of about 20 uncirculated $2.00 bills stamped and cancelled April 13, 1976  by the Hawthorne (California) post office commemorating the bill's first day of issue. We lived in Hawthorne, California at the time. 

The strongbox was locked for years and stored in my closet. I had no idea what was inside. My dad went to the post office and bought the stamped and cancelled bills.

How collectible is this $2.00 bill?

According to CoinWeek:

Some observers were hopeful that the $2 denomination would be accepted in commerce, possibly reducing demand for $1 FRNs. An April 11, 1976, New York Times article claimed, “The new $2 note is expected to replace about one‐half of the $1 bills in circulation over the next several years. This will result in an estimated saving of $4 million to $7 million per year in printing costs.”

Nevertheless, the notes did not circulate widely, whatever the hopes of their proponents. The denomination is so uncommon in some areas that people have been arrested for trying to spend $2 notes at retail establishments. Yet the vast majority of Series 1976 $2 bills are abundant and affordable.

An interesting notaphilic and philatelic product was created around the Series 1976 $2 Federal Reserve Note release. Many people took the bills to post offices on the release day, April 13, affixed stamps directly to the notes, and had the stamps canceled at their local post office. Numerous series of commemorative stamps were issued marking the bicentennial, which made for thematically fitting note-stamp pairings. The stamped notes are not worth much beyond their face value, but a collector might seek out a note from their hometown or another location of personal significance

This boils down to, "It depends upon whom you ask." The amounts I've seen the most online are $5.00 to $15.00 each.

To read more, go here.

At CraftBuds, this chart was posted:

 

Found More Coins

Above, a 1966 JFK half dollar (40% silver) in circulated condition. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The 1964 JFK half dollar (the first year of issue) is the only one composed of 90% silver. (I mentioned previously that I found 20 1964 JFK half dollars in the locked strongbox that I had opened and keys made.)

However, other JFK half dollars had 40% silver. 

I was going through some more stuff that was in the strongbox that was locked for years. I found some circulated JFK half dollars, one of which is a 1966 issue from Philadelphia (no mint mark) that is 40% silver. The others were two 1971 (copper clad) and a 1976 bicentennial (also copper clad) coins. 

From CoinStudy:

1964 The Special Silver Kennedy Half Dollar

In 1964 the new silver Kennedy half dollar was introduced and contained a hefty 90% silver content. Minted as a memorial of the passing of President Kennedy. First coins struck, February 11, 1964 and public distribution began March 24, 1964.

Over 430 million 1964 Kennedy halves were produced, a huge number at the time. Vast quantities were saved. Partly as remembrance of President Kennedy and partly as storing silver.

Price of silver has greatly increased since 1964. Silver was $1.29 per ounce when these coins were first minted. Today 1/9/2023 with silver in the $23.94 per ounce price range. Value of a 1964 Kennedy half is $8.06 each.

1964 is the only year of 90% silver Kennedy halves, something special worth looking for in a group of old coins.

A Change In Silver Content

Following the first year saw a change in metal composition. In the years 1965 through 1970 a 40% silver Kennedy half dollar was minted for circulation.

This new composition is 80% silver and 20% copper layers bonded to a center core of 21% silver and 79% copper. A total of 40% silver by weight.

After this, all JFK half dollars are copper clad. 

Classic Rock Music Monday

The stuff that now passes as "music", particularly rock 'n roll, leaves me cold. So, to start off the week, here's a video of a classic rock artist.

It is funny when a song is played, it takes one back to either a time or place (or both). Such is the case of the band Boston and their song, "More Than A Feeling" that came out in the summer of 1976. It was the time of the Bicentennial and the Republican presidential campaign battle between President Gerald Ford and former Gov. Ronald Reagan culminating in a raucous Republican National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri.  This is the song that will start off this week.

According to Wikipedia:

Boston is an American rock band from namesake Boston, Massachusetts, that had its most commercial successes during the 1970s and '80s.

Wikipedia says the band is still active although it has gone through some personnel changes over the years. Lead vocalist Brad Delp passed away in 2007 from suicide.

Key West Planning Big Bicentennial Celebration For 2022

Above, salvaged goods on display at the Key West Shipwreck Treasures Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This morning, I saw a photo of John Wayne taken in 1976 at his Newport Beach home. In the background was a Bennington flag, which was a popular flag during that year as the country celebrated the nation's Bicentennial.

Speaking of Bicentennials, the city of Key West, Florida will be celebrating its Bicentennial in 2022.

According to Keys Weekly:

Key West will celebrate its Bicentennial — 200th year — in March 2022, which marks the anniversary of the island’s settlement. A year of events is planned, but the main focus will take place March 19-30, 2022.

A carved granite time capsule will be filled and placed in the city on March 25. The theme of the celebration is the importance of children as the city’s future, said Paul Menta, owner of Key West’s First Legal Rum Distillery, who is helping to organize the celebration.

Menta updated the city commissioners on the plans for the primary weeklong celebration in March 2022 during their Dec. 7, meeting. He outlined events, including drone fireworks, special lectures, ceremonies, a flag-raising at Mallory Square and community celebrations. 

To read more, go here. 

Frankenstein's Bicentennial

Above, Boris Karloff in The Bride of Frankenstein. Universal Picttures.

Noted dino expert, director, producer, writer and Godzilla fan Donald F. Glut posted something interesting:

This year is the bicentennial of Mary W. Shelley (then Godwin) writing her classic novel FRANKENSTEIN; OR, THE MODERN PROMETHEUS. No surprise, there have been, are and will be a number of Frankenstein-related movie projects in the works. This includes my own in-progress TALES OF FRANKENSTEIN, an anthology based upon five short stories included in my book of the same title (included in the upcoming THE NEW ADVENTURES OF FRANKENSTEIN COLLECTION, VOLUME TWO, from Bill Cunningham’s Pulp 2.0 Press). The movie, a "traditional" Frankenstein film written, directed and executive-produced by me, is being made via my new company Pecosborn Productions, LLC. We have already filmed the first story, “My Creation, My Beloved,” plus a framing “wrap-around” (featuring the original Monster) that links all five stories together (photos). 

As I am financing Pecosborn’s movies myself (no longer looking for investors, while crowd-funding has never worked for me satisfactorily), the TALES OF FRANKENSTEIN film is, understandably, going rather slowly. I’d like to speed things up and get the entire movie “in the can” this year to capitalize on the novel-writing’s 200th anniversary. And so, I’ve devised a plan to raise additional capital – without investors or crowd-funding – but involving getting a CO-PRODUCER credit in a motion picture (important for some peoples’ résumés) or, if you bring someone to the table who becomes a co-producer, a standard FINDER’S FEE, personal-message me for more information. But please, ONLY if you are seriously interested. 

Thank you.