Commems Collection Medals: 1956 Benjamin Franklin 250th Anniversary - Part I

With the 250th Anniversary of Benjamin Franklin's birth approaching in 1956, bills were introduced for Franklin commemorative medals in each chamber of the US Congress. There was a bit of a twist, however.

Things kicked off in the Senate during the Second Session of the 83rd Congress, when Senator James Henderson Duff (R-PA) - for himself and Senator Edward Martin (R-PA) - introduced a bill to authorize the striking of Franklin commemorative medals for selected scientific and educational societies associated with Benjamin Franklin. Twist: Not a medal for general release.

Though the bill referenced "commemorative medals," what was being proposed was a limited number of special recognition award medals vs. commemorative medals for the general public. The striking of just 19 bronze medals was proposed. The stated purpose of the medals was to issue "commemorative medals to certain scientific and educational societies of which Benjamin Franklin was a member in observance of the 250th anniversary of his birth." The societies were to be:

1. The American Philosophical Society (Philadelphia)
2. Philadelphia Society of the Sons of St. George
3. Accademia di Scienze, Lettre et Arti in Padors (formerly Reale Accademia) (Italy)
4. L'Academie des Sciences, L'Institute de France (formerly Academie Royale)
5. The Royal Society (England)
6. Konigliche Geselleschaft der Wissenschaftler, Gottingen (Germany)
7. The Royal Society of Arts (England)
8. Bataafsch Genootschap der Proefondervindelijke Wijsbegeerte (Netherlands)
9. The Academie de Medicine (France)
10. The Medical Society of London
10. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences (Boston)
12. The Royal Society of Edinburgh
13. Real Academia de la Historla (Spain)
14. Academie Nationale des Sciences, Belle-Lettres et Arts de Lyon (France)
15. Real Accademia delle Science di Torino (Italy)
16. The Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society (England)
17. The Societa Patrioca diretta all'avanzamento dell'Agricultura delle Arti e delle Manifatture, Milano (Italy)
18. The Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture
19. The Society of Antiquaries of London

A truly international recipient list that reflects Franklin's connections and influence beyond the United States!

The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking and Currency, which reported the bill with a recommendation to pass along with a few amendments.

Note: Amendments? The most significant amendment/change to the language of the original bill was to change the specified gold medals to bronze medals, stating: "Your committee is of the opinion that the spirit of the proposed legislation is to issue a durable token of the high esteem in which Benjamin Franklin is held by this Nation upon the occasion of the 250th anniversary of his birth . It is the spirit represented by the medals, not their intrinsic value , which is important. Under the circumstances , bronze is in many respects more suitable than gold." The Committe also swapped out the "Secretary of State" for the Secretary of the Treasury" regarding the party responsible for striking the medals, and added "and welfare" after "scientific, educational" in the describing of the selected societies.

The Senate considered the recommended amendments, had no objections to them and passed the bill. It was sent to the House for its review and consideration, and was referred to the House Committee on Banking and Currency. The bill stalled in the House Committee and died for lack of action with the 83rd Congress adjourned.

Three very similar Franklin commemorative medal bills were introduced in the First Session of the 84th Congress - one in the Senate and two in the House. See Part II for the medal's story in the 84th Congress.