Commems Collection Modern: What If? 1997 FDR Silver Half Dollar

For the story of the proposed Franklin Delano Roosevelt ("FDR") Silver Dollar, see: What If? 1995 FDR Silver Dollar.

Following up on the failed bills of the 103rd Congress, Senator Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI) introduced a new bill in February 1995 (104th Congress). The new bill proposed a 1997-dated Silver Half Dollar "in commemoration of the public opening of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C." A mintage of up to 500,000 coins (with Proof and Uncirculated versions available) was proposed.

While introducing his bill, Senator Inouye commented:

"The commemorative coin will do more than honor one of our greatest Americans; it will also help ensure that an extraordinary era of our Nation's history will live on as a legacy for future generations. I want to assure my colleagues that this bill will not place any burden on the American taxpayer. The profits generated by the sale of this coin will cover all costs incurred by the Department of the Treasury."

A near duplicate of the "Findings" section of the 103rd Congress' Silver Dollar companion bills, the new bill's section was updated to reflect its new objective:

"The Congress finds that--

"(1) the people of the United States feel a deep debt of gratitude to Franklin Delano Roosevelt for his leadership in America's struggle for peace, well-being, and human dignity; (same as previous #1)

"(2) Franklin Delano Roosevelt served his country as the thirty-second President from 1932 until his death in 1945, and is the only United States President elected to 4 terms in office; (Same as previous #3)

"(3) Franklin Delano Roosevelt served the State of New York as Governor from 1928 through 1932; (Same as previous #4)

"(4) Franklin Delano Roosevelt served his country as the United States Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 1913 through 1920; (Same as previous #5)

"(5) Franklin Delano Roosevelt piloted the American people through the economic chaos of the Great Depression; (Same as previous #6)

"(6) Franklin Delano Roosevelt, as our commander in chief, led the American people through the turmoil of World War II; (Same as previous #7)

"(7) Franklin Delano Roosevelt established Social Security, thus providing all Americans with a more abundant and secure life; (Same as previous #8)

"(8) Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the author of ``The Four Freedoms: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, and Freedom from Fear''; (Same as previous #9)

"(9) Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the founder of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, parent organization of the March of Dimes; (Same as previous #10)

(10) Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the chief architect of the United Nations; (Same as previous #11)

"(11) after many years of planning, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial will soon join the memorials of Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln as a tribute to another great American leader; (New)

"(12) the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial will be a series of 4 large outdoor rooms encompassing over 7 acres, and will be situated between the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials in Washington, D.C.; and (New)

"(13) in 1997, the Nation will celebrate the public opening of this magnificent memorial, honoring one of our greatest Presidents."(New)

Note: The bullet (#2) in the previous Silver Dollar bills regarding FDR's death in 1945 was not included in the new bill - this is the cause for the offset noted in the above "Findings" points.)

As with the prior bills, the coin designs were to be selected by the Secretary of the Treasury after consulting with the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Commission. A consultation with the Commission of Fine Arts was also specified, as was a design review by the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee ("CCCAC").

The surcharge included in the coin's Issue Price was reduced from $10 to $3 to reflect the change from a Silver Dollar to a Silver Half Dollar. The same 50/50 split distribution model included in the Silver Dollar bills was continued in the Silver Half Dollar bill (i.e., 50% to the National Park Foundation Restricted Account, and 50% to the National Park Service Restricted Construction Account, with all funds for the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial).

Upon its introduction, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking; it was not reported out.

Though each of the silver commemorative coin bills failed, an FDR Gold Half Eagle coin proposal was successful later in the 104th Congress. A streamlined proposal calling for Gold Half Eagles was introduced as part of an amendment to the United States Commemorative Coin Act of 1996 bill. The approved coin bill also included the:

- 1997 National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Silver Dollar
- 1997 Jackie Robinson Gold Half Eagle
- 1998 Black Revolutionary War Patriots Silver Dollar
- 1999 Dolley Madison Silver Dollar
- 1999 George Washington Gold Half Eagle
- 1999 Yellowstone National Park Silver Dollar

Including the FDR coin, the Act authorized seven (7) commemorative coin programs!

You can read about the FDR coin here: 1997 Franklin Delano Roosevelt Half Eagle.

For a twist on the standalone Half Eagle, check out this story about the

- 1997 FDR Half Eagle - Coin And Stamp Set


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