Circa 1960, the National Banking System Centennial Commission ("Commission") was at work preparing its plan to celebrate the Banking System's 1963 Centennial. The Commission stated, "The year 1963 will be a momentous one for American banking. It will mark the One Hundredth Anniversary of the signing of the Act by President Lincoln that brought into being the National Banking System."
Note: The Act referred to above is the National Currency Act of 1863. President Abraham Lincoln also signed the amended Act that is generally referred to as the National Bank Act of 1864.In addition to plans for publicity kits, special events/observances and books, the Commission also intended to seek a commemorative coin (or medal) and stamp, plus a Presidential Proclamation.
The Commission appeared to be serious about its potential coin, going so far as to have draft designs prepared:
1963 National Banking Systems Commemorative Coin - Draft Design
Ultimately, no coin or stamp proposal was introduced or considered in Congress, though the Commission was able to secure a Presidential Proclamation by John Fitzgerald Kennedy that was announced on February 25, 1963.
In the Proclamation, Kennedy stated,
"Whereas the national banks and the State-chartered banks comprise a dual banking system which has beneficially served the public interest, provided credit and other financial assistance necessary for the economic growth of the United States, and played a leading role in keeping our economy competitive and vital; and
Whereas commercial banking, both Federal and State, has made great contributions to the Nation in tunes of crisis and continues to serve the Nation daily; and
Whereas the national banks and the State-chartered banks anticipate continued opportunities to contribute to the future growth and development of the economy of our country consistent with the changing needs of the public, industry, agriculture, and commerce:
Now, Therefore, I, John F. Kennedy, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate the year 1963 as the Centennial of the Commercial Banking System; and I request the people of the United States to join with Federal and State authorities and representatives of the banking industry in activities and ceremonies designed to pay tribute to the contribution which commercial banking has made to the economic, social, and cultural lives of the people of this Nation."In baseball, one out of three is considered good - not Meatloaf good, of course, but good nonetheless. For the National Banking System, one out of three had to do.
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more about Phantom coin proposals, see:
Commems Collection
Posted 12/11/2025 11:41 am
