Q. David Bowers
Letter from Ralph Evans to Adam Pietz, datelined Davenport, Iowa, January 21, 1947: (This is the first of Evans' letters not on Centennial stationery. It is written on a letterhead of the Central Broadcasting Company, 1002 Brady Street, Davenport, operator of radio station WHO in Des Moines. Evans was vice president of Central Broadcasting. This radio station figured in the life of Ronald Reagan. In 1932 Reagan was hired as temporary sportscaster at Station WOC to broadcast University of Iowa football games; in 1933 he was made a permanent staff member of the station. In the same year woe was merged into its powerful sister station WHO.)
"Dear Friend Adam:
"I did have a fine rest in Florida. I was sorry to learn that the twenty-five coins had not been sent to you during my absence, but I know these are going forward to you from the State Treasurer's office in Des Moines today and you will receive them in due time. I'll appreciate word from you that they have been received safely; and, if they don't arrive there before theend of the week, please be sure to let me know. The State Treasurer's office has been swamped with individual orders and it will take a few weeks to get caught up.
"I'm happy to report that the coin sale and distribution has been an overwhelming success. Approximately 93,000 have been sold on an individual order basis and
I am positive that the remaining few thousand will be disposed of very rapidly now that we are permitting the people of Iowa to buy an extra coin if they want one, as well as customers out of state.
"I hope that you are successful in receiving the commission for other coins and medals, because your fine work certainly entitles you to have it.
"With high personal regards and best wishes, I am
"Sincerely yours,
"Ralph Evans [initialed mek] "
Letter from J. M. Grimes (Iowa state treasurer) to Adam Pietz, datelined Des Moines, Iowa, January 23, 1947:
"Dear Mr. Pietz:
"Under separate cover there have been mailed to your address 25 Centennial coins. This has been done in compliance with a request from Governor Robert D. Blue and the Centennial Committee, Ralph Evans, Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Stamp and Coin, in appreciation for the very fine service you performed, and your cooperation, which made the sale and distribution of the commemorative coin a great success.
"Very sincerely, "[signed]
J.M. Grimes
"Treasurer of State"
Letter from Adam Pietz to J.M. Grimes, January 27, 1947:
"Dear Mr. Grimes:
"The 25 coins of Iowa arrived in perfect condition, and I appreciate this gift more than I can describe.
"Many thanks for your kind letter."
Yours very sincerely,
"Adam Pietz"
Letter from Adam Pietz to Gov. Robert D. Blue, January 27, 1947:
"Dear Sir:
"Thank you very much for your kind letter of January 18, 1947, and also to say that my heart was in the work which is more than half of a fine result. I received the 25 coins late in the afternoon of January 24th, and I shall always treasure these coins as a visible means of a job well done.
"Again many thanks for your kindly interest, with my best regards, I am
"Yours respectfully,
"Adam Pietz"
Letter from Ralph Evans to Adam Pietz, datelined Davenport, Iowa, January 29, 1947:
"Dear friend Adam:
"Thank you for your letter of January 24.
I am glad the coins arrived safely and wish for you every success in future undertakings. The cost of the dies amounted to $545. Frankly, I do not know whether this is supposed to be confidential information or not, but it is the charge made by the Bureau of the Mint to the State of Iowa.
"I have finally been able to obtain some of the Iowa commemorative half dollars for myself. I did not want to make any attempt to secure coins until ample opportunity had first been given to all the people in the state to purchase one of the Iowa commemorative half dollars.
"You'll be glad to know that the banks here in Iowa did a splendid job in helping to distribute the coin. More than 85,000 coins were placed in the hands of Iowa citizens on the basis of one to a customer; and, to the best of my knowledge, this is the first time any such allocation and distribution method has been used. It means that every citizen in Iowa had equal opportunity to purchase one of the coins. Effective January 16, we permitted purchasers to buy additional coins direct from the State Treasurer at the price of $3 each and placed only the restriction of a reasonable number of coins to the individual. In other words, we have maintained our policy of not permitting the coins to get into the hands of coin dealers in large numbers.