Commems Collection Modern: What If? 2010 Model T Ford Centennial

Today, in the United States ("US"), as in many countries around the world, it is hard to imagine life without the automobile. Such was not the case, however, in the first decade or so of the 20th Century. Cars were far from commonplace at the time, but industry pioneers such as Henry Ford, Ransom Olds, Karl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler and others worked to bring the automobile to the forefront.

In February 2007, a bill was introduced in the Senate by Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) that called for "the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the Model T Ford Automobile and the 100th anniversary of the Highland Park Plant, Michigan, the birthplace of the assembly line." A companion bill was introduced in the House of Representatives ("House") in March by John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI).

The bills called for the minting of 500,000 Silver Dollars, with Proof and Uncirculated versions to be produced.

The two bills shared a common "Findings" section:

The Congress finds the following:

(1) More than 15,000,000 Model T Fords were produced between October 1, 1908, and May 26, 1927.

(2) By fostering unprecedented personal mobility, the Model T drove the transformation of the landscape, the economy, and the social life of America.

(3) The assembly line developed for Model T production became the characteristic mode of production in the 20th century and made manufactured goods available in unprecedented abundance.

(4) The vast numbers of high wage, low skill jobs needed on assembly lines gave millions of Americans access to a middle class life.

(5) At the height of its popularity, the Model T was manufactured in 20 countries, on every continent except Antarctica.

(6) In 1999 a panel of automotive experts from across the globe chose the Model T as the "Car of the Century" because of its pervasive, enduring influence.

(7) 2010 will mark the 100th anniversary of the Highland Park Plant, the birthplace of the assembly line.

Unfinished Model T Cars on the Highland Park Assembly Line

(Image Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Public Domain.)

Note: The Ford Highland Park Factory was the first factory to use a moving assembly line for automobile production (circa 1910).

The bills included only general design guidelines for the proposed Silver Dollar, stating that the designs "shall be emblematic of the Model T Ford and the assembly line." As was standard procedure, the Secretary of the Treasury was to select the final designs after consulting with the Commission of Fine Arts. The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee was to serve in a design review capacity.

The Silver Dollars were to be struck only during Calendar Year 2010.

The Issue Price of each coin was to include a surcharge of $10, with collected surcharges being subject to a split distribution model - 50% going to the Automobile National Heritage Area Partnership Inc. "for creating an endowment for--

(A) supporting the celebration and preservation of the Model T story; and

(B) maintaining and expanding national Model T educational programs."

and 50% going to the Edison Institute (aka 'The Henry Ford') in Dearborn, Michigan "for creating an endowment for maintaining and expanding displays and developing educational programs associated with the Model T Ford Automobile."

The bill stated the above split was to be used for "the first $5,000,000 of the surcharges received." As 500,000 potential coins at $10 surcharge per coin equals $5 million, it's not clear how surcharge funds beyond $5 million were to be generated. The bill included no provisions for such exceeding of authorized mintage limits, so new, amending legislation would have been necessary.

The Senate bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. The House bill was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services, with a further referral to its Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology. Neither bill, however, was reported out of Committee or considered further in its respective chamber.

Model T Ford at the Swan House (Atlanta, GA circa 2-17)

(Image Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Public Domain.)


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

The Commems Collection: Medals Index includes several Ford-related posts that may be of interest.