Commems Collection Classic: 1946 Booker T Washington Birthplace Memorial - Points Of Significance

As part of the Hearing held by the House Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures in June 1946, Sidney J. Phillips, President of Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial, Inc., distributed a card that outlined the reasons the Memorial group believed the BTW coin was "desirable." It read:

What a Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial Coin Would Mean

A special coin issued for the Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial will have the following significances:

1. It will be a tribute to the ideals of service -- since Booker T. Washington's life was an embodiment of these principles.
2. It will be an emblem of goodwill -- since Booker T. Washington was held in such esteem by all races and creeds.
3. it will be a testimonial to American Democracy -- since none but a democratic nation would issue a coin of the land in honor of one who was of such lowly birth.
4. It will have educational value -- since it can be used as an incentive to interest the youth of America to study the life of one who contributed much to the cause of education.
5. It will have historic value -- since it would symbolize the culture and attainment of 14,000,000 Americans.
6. It will be a morale booster for the negro citizens of America who are especially proud of the life and achievements of Booker T. Washington.
7. It will have economic value in that it will create a favorable use of a large amount of silver which is not at present contributing to the well-being of the country.
8. It will help in the establishing of a memorial to Booker T. Washington which shall be of help to future generations.



The Memorial group believed much could be accomplished through sales of the coin, with such beliefs likely factoring into its request for five million coins! And though the Treasury Department objected and strongly recommended a medal vs. a coin, the coin's bill was easily approved by Congress and was signed into law by President Harry Truman on August 7, 1946.

1946-51 Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial Half Dollar


For more on the BTW coin, check out:

- 1946-51 Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial
- 1946-51 Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial - Ephemera
- 1946-51 Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial - Ephemera II
- 1946-51 Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial - Ephemera III
- 1946-51 Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial - At Mardi Gras
- 1946-51 Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial - What If? BTW Coin #3


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, check out: Commems Collection.