Commems Collection Classic: What If? 1931 Los Angeles 150th Anniversary

The City of Los Angeles traces its roots back to 1781, a time when present-day California was a Spanish colony. The "City of Angels" had a humble beginning, getting its start via a group of just 44 Mexican settlers. Who could have imagined then what Los Angeles would ultimately become!

Fast forward to 1931...

With the city's 150th anniversary looming, Representative William Elmer Evans (R-California) and Senator Samuel Morgan Shortridge (R-California) introduced companion bills into the House and Senate, respectively, to authorize commemorative 50-cent pieces for the occasion. The private sponsor of the bills was the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration Committee of the city of Los Angeles. Each of the bills was referred to the appropriate House or Senate Committee where each died for lack of further action.

The lack of action was largely due to the ongoing impact of Herbert Hoover's 1929 veto of the Gadsden Purchase half-dollar; it continued to suppress the introduction and consideration of commemorative coin legislation. There was one successful bill during this period, however, the one that authorized the change in the design of the quarter dollar to commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth!

And so, one of America's most prominent and important cities was "forced" to celebrate its sesquicentennial without the benefit of a US commemorative half-dollar. They did OK for themselves during their sesquicentennial year - it officially kicked off in September of 1931 - they introduced a new City Flag and hosted the 1932 Olympic Games.

Of course, if Spain had waited just a couple of years to begin its settlement of the area that would become Los Angeles, it is likely that a coin marking LA's sesquicentennial would be part of the US commemorative series. Hoover's veto slowed the commemorative "train" but it certainly didn't stop it! Soon, the floodgates would open and coinage bills marking the anniversaries of several US cities would be authorized and become sought after US Mint collectibles.

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