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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,472 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
980 Posts |
This week is the 50th anniversary of approval of the vaccine for trials. Salk gave the vaccine to himself, his wife and his three daughters (times were different then). This event was proposed for commemoration by the Mint 2005 50thAnniversary of the Polio Vaccine (Proposed theme) * Commemorating Jonas Salk and the 50th Anniversary of the polio vaccine. * Surcharge added to the price of the coin, with proceeds going to an organization or research project supporting health issues such as the Jonas Salk Foundation, the National Institute of Health or Centers for Disease Control. Instead, we honored the 230th anniversary of the Marine Corps with a commem. The Marine corps is worthy of commoration, but we have recenty seen West Point, WW2, Korean, and women veteran commems. Why not honor the USMC in a round year, like 225 or 250? The impact of this and the Sabin vaccine almost cannot be overestimated. Polio has been eradicated in the Western hemisphere. With concerted effort, it could be eradicated from the world, as happened to smallpox. Just 4 months after the approval of the vaccine, a polio epidemic struck over 2200 in Massachusetts alone. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005...687379.shtml Polio struck FDR when he was a young politician, and "the March of Dimes" was his baby. http://www.marchofdimes.com/aboutus/789_821.asp The MOD funded the vaccine research. Until this week, I never tought of this as a reason to keep FDR on the dime. Time for a redesign, perhaps, but I'm convinced he should remain on the dime. A great coin story, IMO. A victory. Don Edited by SFDukie
04/14/2005 2:34 pm
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Forum Mom
 United States
5877 Posts |
Definitely an occasion worthy of commemoration on a coin!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2724 Posts |
While their are certainly some very important far reaching impacts made by Roosevelt, he should be on a commerative to celebrate the many things he got accomplished. Thanks for the great story and links. I learned a few things today  |
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New Member
United States
16 Posts |
As a member of Rotary International, this issues hits close to home as well. Rotary initiated their Polio Plus project in the late 1980's to eradicate Polio from the face of the earth by 2005, the 100th anniversary of Rotary. (there's another commemorative idea) While there are still a handful of polio cases still in existence in a couple of third world countries who are hesitant to allow volunteers in to innoculate their children, we are very, very close to having Polio eradicated. It's taken several years and millions upon millions of dollars from the Rotary Foundation, but we are on the verge of having our goal accomplished.
A great topic indeed for inclusion on a US commemorative coin.
GR
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Rest in Peace
United States
954 Posts |
I don't think you will ever see a commemorative for Salk. We think it should be a commemorative. We think the man is more than worthy of the honor. We feel the surcharges will go for a good use.
Therefore I feel that the Mint will in no way mint such a commemorative.
I think that the "March of Dimes" would be a super subject for our very first commemorative dime..!
catman
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2724 Posts |
The Mint has specific rules against commemorating "private" organizations. Now in normal Mint fashion they have broken the rules before and probably will again. (USO)
In order to get a commem today, many pockets must be greased, many lies told, many promises made, and most importantly of all, the ugliest design possible must be picked.
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Pillar Of The Community
3147 Posts |
ND you have HIT politics on the head!!!
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Rest in Peace
United States
954 Posts |
Oh Well. Nice thought anyway... catman  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
980 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by national dealer
The Mint has specific rules against commemorating "private" organizations. Now in normal Mint fashion they have broken the rules before and probably will again. (USO)
In order to get a commem today, many pockets must be greased, many lies told, many promises made, and most importantly of all, the ugliest design possible must be picked.
well, there have been several ugly designs of late. You know the system better than the rest of us. Do you mean the pocket greasing comment? Congress, the mint, or both? Into personal pockets,or campaign funds? On the latter note, know this is veering into politics, but I was happy to see the Democrat Jim Wright go down as house speaker because of his hubris and abuse of power, and I feel the same way about our current house speaker- who paid his wife and daughter out of compaign donations. How is that not bribery? Lets see, you want to influence legislation, you donate money to a house seaker's campaign fund, and the money is paid to his wife. Why isn't there a revolution?   Edited by SFDukie
04/16/2005 1:52 pm
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Pillar Of The Community
3147 Posts |
Wasn't it Thomas Jefferson who said "Every good country needs a revolution every 20 years or so!" Seems to me we may be past due and government has grown into a raging monster? Is it still government of the people, by the people and for the people? Bet we will get a world of different answers on that one!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2724 Posts |
Oh Don,
The wheels of the machine need greasing all too often. At least the mint does make their money on the coins themselves. The premiums offered back to the "group" presenting the idea is way too much in my humble opinion. Most have a simple $10 fee per coin with 100,000 coins. That ladies and gentlemen equals a cool million to the lucky group. So how much gets diverted into re-election funds, congressional dinners, and the nice linen pockets of those pushing the idea through the channels.
Now add to this, that out of the many designs offered, we end up with the absolute butt-ugliest out of the bunch that is then poorly prepared into a working die, and you have all the necessary ingredients for a commemorative coin.
When the state of Maryland was looking for a quarter, the Star Bangled Banner idea was absolutely stunning. However they ended up with a dome on a building that most people have no idea of what it represents or could pick out in the city of Annapolis.
The Mint has not had a truly good design in our lifetime. They employ simple artists instead of sculpters.
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Valued Member
United States
146 Posts |
Where can these be bought
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Pillar of the Community
United States
980 Posts |
quote:
Originally posted by robocp
Where can these be bought
Hi robocp, unfortunately 50th anniv of the polio vaccine isn't what congress choose for 2005-picked 230th USMC anniversary instead (my beef is that 230 isn't a very significant anniversary...) Both Canada and the US issued commemorative stamps-google polio vaccine anniversary and you'll get lots of selling links... Don Edited by SFDukie
08/29/2005 1:49 pm
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,472 |
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Posted 04/14/2005 2:33 pm
