Commems Collection Classic: What If? 1948 Wisconsin Statehood - "Something Rotten In Denmark"

I've written about 200+ failed commemorative coin proposals made during the series' classic era - most of them did not heed the advice of Dylan Thomas and, instead, went "gentle into that good night." One that didn't go quietly, however, was the Wisconsin proposal for a commemorative half dollar in conjunction with its 100th Anniversary of Statehood in 1948. Much of the fight for the coin in Congress was courtesy of Senator Alexander Wiley (R-WI). Here is a bit more of the story of his fight.

Wiley introduced his Wisconsin Statehood coin bill in January 1947 (80th Congress, First Session). It was soon followed by a companion bill in the House of Representatives. (Read more here: What If? 1948 Wisconsin Statehood Centennial.)

A February 1947 Hearing before the Senate Subcommittee on Currency and Coinage (under the Committee on Banking and Currency) included the Wisconsin bill on its agenda of six commemorative coin proposals. Wiley attended, and spoke in support of his bill. The bill was initially recommended for passage by the Subcommittee, but, after letters were received by the full Committee Chairman from the US Treasury Department and President Truman, each opposing the coinage and favoring commemorative medals, the Subcommittee changed its position and withheld its recommendation for the coins and advocated for medals.

Following the Hearing, a bill was introduced in the Senate that provided for "the striking of medals, in lieu of coins, for commemorative purposes." When it was brought up for consideration in the Senate, Senator Wiley played the "if I can't have mine, you can't have yours" game and asked that the bill be "Passed Over" for consideration at that time.

Wiley began by asking for an explanation of the bill. Ralph Edward Flanders (R-VT), Chairman of the Subcommittee that did not recommend Wiley's bill, provided the requested explanation - he introduced the bill in the Senate on behalf of the Senate Committee on Banking and Currency.

Included in his response was the following remark, "The fact that the President has indicated that he would veto bills of this nature in view of their growing volume has led the Committee on Banking and Currency to introduce Senate bill 865, which provides for the same services by the Treasury at cost for the minting of medals in lieu of coins for commemorative purposes."

Wiley then questioned, "Is it the sum and substance of the bill that States like Wisconsin, for instance, which will celebrate this year its one hundredth anniversary, are to be precluded from having coins struck by the Treasury to commemorate such events? Is the committee by this bill laying down a policy, or what is it doing?"

Senator Flanders responded, "The bill lays down a policy that no coins which are legal tender shall be struck, but that the services of the Mint shall be at the disposal of the good people of Wisconsin and other States for the minting of corresponding commemorative medals."

Wiley continued, "If the only reason that can be given is that members of the committee are afraid the President will veto bills providing for minting commemorative coins, I personally feel that that is not an adequate reason for declining to accede to the request of an independent commonwealth like my own State. I have heretofore spoken of the subject. If once in 100 years the Federal Government, which wants to assist the States, cannot strike a commemorative coin for a State, then it would seem to me that there is something rotten in Denmark." (Nice Hamlet reference!)

Wiley continued his remarks with a reference to the Resolution drafted by the Wisconsin State Legislature that requested the coins, (read it here: What If? 1948 Wisconsin Statehood Centennial - Legislature Resolution) and requesting that the letter he sent to President Truman be entered into the Record. (You can read it here: What If? 1948 Wisconsin Statehood Centennial - Addendum.)

At that point, the Senate "Passed Over" the bill. Likely sensing the battle lost, Wiley did not obstruct the consideration of the bill when it came up again during the Second Session of the 80th Congress. The bill was considered and passed in the Senate in January 1948; it was then sent to the House whereupon it was referred to the House Committee on Banking and Currency. It was not taken up by the House Committee, however, and died for lack of action when the 80th Congress adjourned.

Senator Wiley did what he could for his Wisconsin constituents, but it was a new day for US commemorative coins, and his influence extended only so far. Wisconsin celebrated its 1948 Statehood Centennial without the benefit of a US commemorative coin, but I wonder how many local residents even noticed the coin's absence?

Note: Wiley was not in Congress at the time the 1936 Wisconsin Territorial Centennial Half Dollar was approved.

1936 Wisconsin Territorial Centennial Half Dollar



If you're interested in Congress' efforts to move away from commemorative coins and to commemorative medals, check out:

- Medals Vs. Coins
- Medals Vs. Coins - 1937 Attempt
- Medals Vs. Coins - 1947 Attempt


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