Commems Collection Classic: 1936 Lynchburg, VA Charter Sesquicentennial - Mintage Proposal

I've written before about how either the Senate or House (generally the Senate) stepped in to help protect collectors by changing "loose" provisions in commemorative coinage bills, often replacing much of a bill's language so that restrictions would be placed on the number of Mint facilities that could be used, the coin's minimum mintage and ordering quantity and/or the expiration of the coining authority for the piece. (See link below.)

Introduced in April 1936, the bill calling for a half dollar to commemorate the Sesquicentennial of Lynchburg, VA receiving its Charter included much of the restrictive language that needed to be added to other mid-1930s bills. One of its original provisions, however, ran counter to the new approach being taken. Namely, the bill specified a mintage limit of just 10,000 coins; the Senate had been setting minimum mintage figures to 20,000 or more and the House was supportive of a minimum of 25,000. The bill was immediately referred to the Senate Committee on Banking and Currency.

It surprised me to learn that the Senate Committee recommended the bill pass without making any change to its mintage. When it was brought up for consideration by the full Senate, however, the bill was amended to set the minimum mintage at 20,000 vs. the original 10,000. The amended bill was passed without debate and sent to the House for its consideration.

The House passed the 20K mintage version of the bill without issue, thus paving the way for its final approval by the President. Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Lynchburg, VA half dollar bill into law on May 28, 1936.

The US Mint struck the full authorization of 20,000 coins in September of 1936 and delivered them to the Lynchburg Sesqui-Centennial Association. The Association was able to sell/distribute the entire mintage - none were returned to the Mint to be melted. Based on such sales, the Association was likely thankful the minimum mintage for their coin was doubled in the Senate! The Association didn't need a "scarcity" to sell its coins!


1936 Lynchburg, VA Charter Sesquicentennial Half Dollar



For more on the Lynchburg. VA Half Dollar, check out:

- 1936 Lynchburg, VA Charter Sesquicentennial


For more on bills changed in the House or Senate, see:

- Committee On Banking And Currency


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, check out: Commems Collection.