Buckle up for a long journey...The journey of the 1992 Christopher Columbus Quincentenary commemorative coin program began in June 1989, during the 101st Congress, when Frank Annunzio (D-IL) introduced the "Christopher Columbus Coin and Fellowship Act" bill in the House of Representatives ("House"). In addition to proposing a three-coin program - Gold Half Eagle, Silver Dollar and Copper-Nickel ("CuNi") Clad Half Dollar - the bill also featured provisions for the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation whose purpose was to be "to produce new discoveries in all fields of endeavor for the benefit of mankind." (My focus here will be on the coin provisions.)
The coin portion of the bill called for the striking of up to 1 million Gold Half Eagles, up to 4 million Silver Dollars and up to 6 million CuNi Clad Half Dollars. Annunzio was
going for it! with such mintage requests.
The Gold Half Eagle was to "bear a likeness of Christopher Columbus", the Silver Dollar and CuNI Clad Half Dollar were each to feature a design "emblematic of the quincentenary of the discovery of America".
Each coin of the program was to be issued in two separate designs, one in 1991 and one in 1992 - six sets (obverse/reverse) in total.
The designs were to be selected by the Secretary of the Treasury "after consultation with the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation and the Commission of Fine Arts."
The Gold Half Eagle was mandated to be struck at the Mint's West Point (New York) facility, with the facilities for the Silver Dollar and Clad Half Dollar to be determined ("TBD"). Each of the coins was to be struck in Proof and Uncirculated versions with an issue period of January 1, 1991 through June 30, 1993 - a two and one-half year window!
The Issue Price of each coin was to include a surcharge:
- $35 per Gold Half Eagle
- $7 per Silver Dollar
- $1 per CuNi Clad Half Dollar
Collected surcharges were to "be deposited in the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Fund and be available to the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation."
Note: The coin bill included provisions whose purpose was to establish the Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation - one-stop shopping!Because the bill covered more than just coin provisions, it was referred to multiple House Committees:
- House Committee on Education and Labor
>>>> Further referral to its Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education
- House Committee on Science, Space and Technology
>>>> Further referral to its Subcommittee on Science, Research and Technology.
- House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs
>>>> Further referral to its Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs and Coinage
The Consumer Affairs and Coinage Subcommittee amended the bill and then reported it to its Full Committee; the amendment was in the form of a substitution and was submitted by Richard Henry Lehman (D-CA) and John Patrick Hiler (R-IN). The Subcommittee's amendment included:
- a reduction in the maximum mintage authorization for the Gold Half Eagle from 1 million to 500,000
- a reduction in the number of designs from six to three (just one set per denomination vs. two each)
- a change in the issue period for the coins to begin on January 1, 1992 (vs. January 1, 1991); the termination date of June 30, 1993 was maintained
- the addition of language authorizing the audit of the Columbus Foundation's records.
The amended bill was reported to the House where it was considered/debated; the bill's changes were reviewed by Representative Lehman.
Chalmers Pangburn Wylie (R-OH) rose in support of the bill and offered, among his comments, the following:
"It seems most appropriate to me that not only does this bill commemorate the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America, but also establishes an educational foundation to promote research designed to produce new discoveries in all fields of endeavor for the benefit of mankind. This idea was important to Christopher Columbus, and it embodies the spirit of my home town and our discoverer's namesake, Columbus, OH."Representative Annunzio also rose to speak. Among his remarks was:
"The importance of Columbus' discoveries cannot be overstated. It was his discovery which led others to follow in his wake to the west. Until Columbus discovered the New World, the focus in Europe had been to the east. By discovering the New World, and showing that one could return, he changed Europe's focus from east to west.
"Our Nation's first commemorative coin was struck in honor of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America by Columbus. Those coins helped raise money for the 1892 Columbian Exposition, held in my hometown of Chicago. This coin program will leave a broader and enduring legacy. The bill establishes Christopher Columbus fellowships. These fellowships, which will be awarded by the nonpartisan Christopher Columbus Foundation, will provide funding to promising explorers as they seek to better mankind."
"The hardest part of Columbus' journey was not the sailing, but arranging the financing. For that, we are grateful for Queen Isabella. The Columbus fellowships will help new explorers in all fields by providing financing to those promising explorers who need it. This will be done at no cost to the taxpayer and at a profit to the Government from the sale of the commemorative coins."Annunzio's mention of Queen Isabella prompted Patricia Scott Schroeder (D-CO) to rise and comment:
"I appreciate that Queen Isabella did put up the money. She may not have gone on the voyage, but she had the vision and the courage to put the jewels on the table. I thank the gentleman from Illinois for recognizing that."After a few additional comments by Representative Annunzio, Representative Robert A. Roe (D-NJ) and Representative Lehman, the amended bill was passed by the House and sent to the Senate.
The bill was amended further in the Senate with a provision regarding a redesign of US circulating coinage. (Details available here:
What If? 1993 Bill of Rights Circulating Coinage - A 1990 Attempt.)
The Senate passed the bill with its amendment and sent word of its action to the House. The House, however, did not formally consider the Senate-amended bill. The bill died for lack of further action.
To continue the coin program's history with another Columbus Program precursor, see:
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1992 Christopher Columbus Quincentenary - Precursor #2For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including other Columbus Quincentenary stories, see:
Commems Collection 
Posted Today 1H 40M ago
