Commems Collection Classic: What If? 1957 Oklahoma Statehood Anniversary - A Change Of Direction?

My first What If? post about an Oklahoma Statehood 50th Anniversary half dollar discussed a bill that called for a circulating commemorative 50-cent piece. But the coin proposal may have started its journey as a commemorative coin that was to be sold at a premium vs. being placed into circulation at face value. You can read my earlier post here:

- What If? 1957 Oklahoma Statehood Anniversary

In February 1955, the Oklahoma Legislature passed a Resolution that asked the United States ("US") Congress to authorize the striking of a commemorative half dollar for the State's 50th Anniversary.

The text of the Resolution follows:

"Senate Concurrent Resolution 10

"Concurrent resolution memorializing the Congress of the United States of America to cause to be minted a half dollar commemorating the 50th anniversary of the State of Oklahoma;

"Whereas the Congress of the United States of America on June 16, 1906, enacted the Enabling Act providing the means hereby the people of Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory did, on November 16, 1907, become the 46th State of the Union; and

"Whereas in the short period of 50 years, the State of Oklahoma has had an unprecedented growth and development in the fields of agriculture, oil, mining, and arts and sciences, and has furnished outstanding leadership both in civil and military endeavors; and

"Whereas the people of the State of Oklahoma have a great heritage from their pioneer fathers and mothers who overnight established cities, towns, and government upon a raw and unsettled land; and

"Whereas Oklahoma now proudly stands as the most progressive State in the Union, and has in its short lifetime achieved miraculous accomplishments and is entitled to receive from the Government of the United States just recognition therefor: Now, therefore, be it

"Resolved by the Senate of the 25th Oklahoma Legislature (the house of representatives concurring therein), That the Congress of the United States be and it is hereby memorialized to take such action as will cause to be minted by the Government of the United States a half dollar of such design as will properly commemorate the State of Oklahoma upon its 50 years of progress, and that the same be dated 1957; be it further

"Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be furnished to each Member of the Oklahoma Delegation in Congress, the chairmen of the appropriate committees dealing with the matter before the House of Representatives and the Senate of the United States, and that a copy thereof be furnished to the Treasury Department and the Governor of the Federal Reserve System.

"Adopted by the senate the 23d day of February 1955.
PINK WILLIAMS,
President of the Senate.

"Adopted by the house of representatives the 13th day of April 1955.
B. E. HARKEY,
Speaker of the House of Representatives."


The Resolution did not specify the type of half dollar desired - General Circulation vs. Not Intended for Circulation ("NIFC"). A contemporary news piece on the Resolution, however, indicated that a NIFC coin was the objective. It was hoped that $1 million could be raised from the sale of 2 million struck coins, with the net proceeds to be used to help finance the State's 50th Anniversary celebrations.

When the bill that proposed the Oklahoma Statehood commemorative coin was introduced in the Senate by Almer Stillwell "Mike" Monroney (D-OK) for himself and Robert Samuel Kerr (D-OK) in May 1955, however, it called for a general circulation piece.

Accidental mixup? OR Purposeful change in direction? I don't have access to any off-the-record conversations, so I can't say with 100% certainty. IMO, however, the Treasury's well-known disdain for commemorative coins at the time, could have swayed the Oklahoma contingent as it considered its options. (Of course, it's always possible that Oklahoma decided to seek circulating coins but then make them available in custom packaging that could be sold at a premium.)

In the end, intentions regarding the type of commemorative piece didn't matter, Congress did not authorize any coin for the Oklahoma milestone.


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including other "San Diego" stories, see: [b]Commems Collection