Commems Collection Classic: What If? 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition Medals

I'm preparing a deep dive into the Texas Centennial half dollar, but in the meantime thought I would post a related "What if?"


Though universally associated with the Centennial Exposition (and driven by it), the Texas commemorative half dollar program was not proposed as a direct fund raiser for the Exposition. The coins were struck "in commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary in 1936 of the independence of Texas and of the noble and heroic sacrifices of her pioneers" and was sponsored by the American Legion Texas Centennial Committee. Funds raised from coin sales were to be used in support of the construction of the Texas State Museum in Austin (on the campus of the University of Texas).

The Texas Centennial Central Exposition corporation, the sponsor/administrator of the Exposition, approached Congress, through long-time Representative Hatton Williams Sumners (D-TX), regarding the striking of souvenir commemorative medals plus award medals for exhibitors at the Exposition; the bill called for 500,000 commemorative medals and 200 award medals. No composition was specified, but the proposed legislation did specify the commemorative medals were all to be "the same design and metal." The bill specified only that the Award Medal was to be of "a single design" which left open the potential of multiple compositions in line with different award levels.

As would be expected, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures upon its introduction. The Committee reported the bill favorably and committed it to the Whole House for full consideration. Things went bad at that point.

When it was brought up for consideration, it was immediately objected to by Representative Jessie Paine Wolcott (R-MI). After a bit of confusion over the purpose of the bill - Representative Marion Anthony Zioncheck (D-WA) mistakenly thought the bill being considered was the one calling for the creation of new designs for the existing Texas Centennial Half Dollar - it was agreed that the bill would be passed over without prejudice (i.e., eligible for future consideration) as its sponsor was not present due to his attending to other matters before Congress (i.e., the impeachment trial of Judge Halstead Ritter of the Southern District of Florida).

Though he didn't agree, Wolcott didn't block the "without prejudice" pass over of the bill. He believed that passing the bill, however, would put "the United States Mint into the business of making medallions for this centennial" and continued, "It is only a step from there to making badges for conventions." Wolcott reserved the right to object in the future.

Two weeks later, the bill was again called up for consideration, but was immediately objected to by Representatives Zioncheck, Wolcott and Pehr Gustaf Holmes (R-MA). The actions of these three ended further consideration of the bill.

So, even though the Treasury Department and the President favored medals over coins for commemorative purposes, a call for commemorative medals was quickly defeated. I tend to think that if the medal request was included in the original coin bill and/or the coin and medals had a common sponsor, the legislation would have had a better chance at approval. But who knows with Representative Wolcott - he might have derailed the coin program!