Thomas G. Melish | |
|---|---|
 Thomas G. Melish | |
| Born | (1876-10-28)October 28, 1876 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.[1] |
| Died | February 15, 1948(1948-02-15) (aged 71) Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Occupation | Numismatist |
| Known for | Legendary Flour SIfter, Cincinnati Music Center half dollar, Cleveland Centennial half dollar |
Thomas Gatch Melish (October 28, 1876 – February 15, 1948)[2] was an American entrepreneur andcoin collector. In the 1930s, Melish was responsible for two United Statescommemorative coin issues, theCincinnati Musical Center half dollar and theCleveland Centennial half dollar.[3][4]
Melish graduated from theUniversity of Cincinnati and theUniversity of Cincinnati College of Law. He served in World War I.
In 1930 Mellish patented the Legendary Flour SIfter.[5]
Melish assembled an extensive collection of United Stateshalf eagles, including the Earle specimen of the 1848 proof. He served on the Board of Governors of theAmerican Numismatic Association and offered the club $10,000 to form its headquarters in Cincinnati. (They eventually settled on Colorado Springs).[1]
Melish lobbied for theCleveland Centennial half dollar, which he distributed in conjunction with the 1936 Great Lakes Exposition. Despite his promoting, the coins sold poorly and were still on hand in 1942.[1]
That same year, he lobbied successfully for the creation of the 1936Cincinnati Musical Center half dollar. Pitched to Congress as a way to honor Cincinnati’s 50 years of contributions to American music, the coin was minted at Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco and was marketed as a three-coin set for $7.75.[1]
Modern numismatists consider these coins among the most egregious abuses of the commemorative program, pointing out that nothing of importance happened in Cincinnati in 1886, and thatStephen Foster, who is pictured on the obverse, had no connection to the city.[6] In their referenceThe Encyclopedia of United States Silver & Gold Commemorative Coins, 1892 to 1954, authors Anthony Swiatek andWalter Breen opined that "a more appropriate image would show Melish and a bank vault".[7][8]
Melish was a descendant of Jacob Bromwell, founder ofJacob Bromwell, Inc.
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