was there any controversy based on it?
Yes, controversy that Melish had travelled to Washington the previous day, and had announced he had no objection to the change.
Cincinnati Musical Center half dollar
controversy before the Commission of Fine Arts, that Melish had travelled to Washington the previous day, and had announced he had no objection to the change.
what is cincinnati musical center half dollar? A commemorative 50-cent piece when was it produced? In 1936
wiki:20000809
Cincinnati Musical Center half dollar [SEP] Preparation and controversy
The paper also reported the controversy before the Commission of Fine Arts, that Melish had travelled to Washington the previous day, and had announced he had no objection to the change. Also on May 16, Melish telephoned Lee Lawrie, sculptor member of the Commission. Melish's notes indicate that Moore's objection was on behalf of Alice Roosevelt Longworth and the Longworth family, who had employed Thomas to lead the May Festival, and who wanted Thomas on the coin, although, as (per Melish) Lawrie put it, "Thomas looks like a walrus and would be a very hard head to make". Melish was defiant, stating that he also knew Alice Longworth well, and Foster remained on the coin.