Commems Collection Modern: What If? 1991-93 Vietnam Veterans - Part I

And now, an exploration of the proposals for the Vietnam Veterans commemorative coin within the "American Veterans" trio...

For the other discussions of the commemorative coins in the "American Veterans" series, see:

- What If? 1992-93 Women in Military Service, and

- What If? 1992-93 Prisoner Of War


Vietnam Veteran commemorative coins were proposed in the 102nd and 103rd Congresses - there are significant differences between their objectives.

Efforts began in January 1991, during the 102nd Congress, when Maxine Waters (D-CA) introduced a bill in the United States ("US") House of Representatives "House") that called for "the minting of one dollar silver coins in commemoration of the Year of the Vietnam Veteran and the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial."

Waters' bill called for 1 million Silver Dollars, with Proof and Uncirculated versions to be issued.

The bill included a brief "Findings" section:

The Congress finds that--

(1) in 1992 the people of the United States will observe the 'Year of the Vietnam Veteran' and the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; and

(2) the minting and issuance of one dollar silver coins commemorating the accomplishments of veterans who served during the Vietnam War is an appropriate method by which to observe those events.

The designs for the Silver Dollar were to "be emblematic of the heroic service of veterans who served during the Vietnam War." (Standard "wide latitude" design language.) In addition to the standard US coin inscriptions, the Vietnam Veterans Silver Dollars were to carry a "1992" date. The Secretary of Treasury was to select the final designs in consultation with the Chairperson of the Vietnam Veterans of America Advisory Board.

The Issue Price of each Silver Dollar was to include a surcharge of $7, with collected surcharges being paid to the Vietnam Veterans Assistance Fund:

"(1) to honor and recognize the accomplishments of veterans of the Vietnam War;

(2) to educate the people of the United States regarding the accomplishments and sacrifices of such veterans and their families;

(3) to establish programs for the purpose of improving the health and well-being of such veterans and their families, including programs to provide assistance to veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and to veterans who are homeless;

(4) to provide assistance to such veterans in qualifying for benefits under title 38, United States Code, and other benefits available under Federal law;

(5) to provide grants to scientific and medical organizations to study the effects of and treatment for exposure to the chemical tetrachlorodibenzoparadioxin (commonly known as Agent Orange); and

(6) to provide employment counseling and assistance to all veterans who served during a period of war."

The authority to mint the coins was limited to Calendar Year 1992 - i.e., from January 1, 1992 through December 31, 1992.

Waters' bill was referred to the House Committee on Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs, with a further referral to its Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs and Coinage. The coin proposal stalled in Committee.

What was essentially a companion bill was introduced in the Senate by Donald W. Riegle (D-MI), in May 1992. It included the same coin specifications and surcharge provisions, but provided a bit of flexibility in terms of when the coins could be minted/issued. The authorization period was from within 30 days of the bill being enacted plus 12 months. Considering the introduction date for the coin bill, it seems most likely that coins would have been struck in 1992 and 1993. The bill stated the coins were to be dated "1992", which would create a back-dating scenario if coins were struck in 1993 - something the Mint does not typically do.

The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, but the Committee was discharged from consideration of the bill - the full Senate took it up for consideration. It was passed in the Senate without amendment and sent to the House, where it was referred to the House Committee on Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs. As with the House's own bill, the Senate bill was further referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs and Coinage. It stalled in the Subcommittee and was not considered further.

But the effort would be renewed in the 103rd Congress! Read about it here.


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more What If? stories, see: Commems Collection.