The International Peace Garden was founded in 1932, on the US-Canada border between neighboring North Dakota (US) and Manitoba (Canada).
The concept of the International Peace Garden (IPG) originated with Dr. Henry J. Moore of Ontario in 1925. His idea quickly gained support, and the garden was defined via a donation of 1,451 acres from Manitoba and 888 acres from North Dakota. The site was dedicated on July 14, 1932. The US Civilian Conservation Corp developed the site, following a plan designed to turn the untamed prairies and woodlands into a landscaped garden.
The effort on behalf of a half dollar in honor of the International Peace Garden was one of the more persistent in the classic-era series. Bills calling for such a commemorative coin were introduced in the 74th, 75th and 76th Congresses. The first bill, introduced in 1936, called for 50-cent pieces "in commemoration of the founding of the International Peace Garden at the international boundary line between the United States and Canada, in the Turtle Mountains of North Dakota and Manitoba, and near the geographical center of the North American Continent, and in commemoration of the peaceful and friendly relations which have existed between the United States and Canada for more than one hundred and twenty years" called for up to 100,000 coins. The coins could be struck at any/all of the US Mint facilities and, in an unusual twist, the mintage was mandated to be split between 1936 and 1937, with up to 50,000 coins allowed each year.
The Senate bill was introduced by Senator Gerald Prentice Nye (R-ND) on behalf of the International Peace Garden, Inc.; the IPG was allowed to purchase the coins from the Mint when and in whatever quantity it desired. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking and Currency, where it died for lack of action.
In the 75th Congress, in 1937, Senator Nye was back with a slightly modified bill. It still called for up to 100,000 coins, but did not specify a 1936/1937 split. The new bill stated that all 100,000 coins were to be struck within one year of the enactment of the bill. The bill named the same sponsor, and once again allowed for use of any/all Mint facilities, and for the sponsor to request whatever quantities it desired when it desired them.
As would be expected, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking and Currency. Once again, the Committee did not report the bill out and it died for lack of action. Had the bill received a favorable report, and ultimate passage by Congress/the President, the bulk of the half dollars coined likely would have been struck in 1937. It's possible, however, that a small quantity of "1938" dated coins would have been struck under the bill's provisions. Considering the time and how Congress was working to address the prevention of collector abuse by the US commemorative coin series, such a mintage would likely have been discouraged by the Treasury/Mint, but it would have been legally possible.
Senator Nye made a last try for an IPG commemorative coin in 1939 during the 76th Congress. He introduced a duplicate of his bill from the 75th Congress, but it was met with the same lack of success. It was referred to Committee, never reported out, and died for lack of action.
"Three strikes and you're out!" and so it was for Senator Nye and his coin proposal for the International Peace Garden. I think it's one that I would have supported had I been around at the time!
For more on the IPG, visit its web site at:
https://www.peacegarden.com.
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more What If? stories, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 04/18/2022 12:40 pm
