Commems Collection Classic: What If? Phantom 1935 Michigan Statehood Centennial

This story presents the case of a temporary phantom...the coin's potential was explored in 1935, but stalled. It resurfaced, however, in May 1936.

During January 1936 discussions in the House of Representatives regarding the proposed half dollar to mark the 150th Anniversary of Columbia as the capital of South Carolina, Michigan Representative Jesse Paine Wolcott (R-MI) referenced a 1935 discussion with the US Treasury Department regarding a half dollar coin to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Michigan's Statehood:

"...last year an application was made by certain members of the Michigan Delegation to have 50-cent pieces struck off in commemoration of the centennial of the admission of the State of Michigan into the Union"

Note: A 1935 coin would have marked the centennial of Michigan's initiation of its drive to become a State vs. Statehood achievement (a 1937 event).

From additional comments Representative Wolcott made, it appears that the US Treasury Department was approached about striking the coin but the proposal was flatly rejected. Further, Wolcott relayed the fact that the Michigan team was told:

"...it was not the policy of the Treasury Department to issue any more of these commemorative 50-cent pieces, that they would not approve them; and that the President would veto the bill if it was passed."

Based on this strong feedback, the Michigan delegation dropped its plan to introduce a Michigan Statehood coin bill in Congress...at least it did so at that time.

With the US commemorative coin boom at hand, Louis Charles Rabaut (D-MI) moved forward with a Michigan Statehood coin bill in May 1936 during the Second Session of the 74th Congress. You can read more about that bill's journey here:

- What If? 1937 Michigan Statehood Half Dollar

A "Phantom" in 1935, an explicit failure in 1936/37. Perseverance doesn't always pay dividends! (But sometimes it does! See Quick Bits 117 - If At First You Don't Succeed.)


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more What If? and What If? Phantom stories, see: Commems Collection.