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 Replies: 7 / Views: 1,282 |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12252 Posts |
In a previous discussion of the many commemorative coin bills introduced in Congress in 1937, it was asked: Quote:
Why were there so many bills regarding the minting of commemorative half dollars introduced? Did the Government just have more dispensable income? As each of the commemorative bills introduced in Congress was done so on behalf of a private sponsor, it wasn't a matter of the Federal Government having "extra" funds. In reality, it was mostly a combination of inflated local pride and greed by private citizens (and sometimes coin dealers). The coin bills were introduced with the hope that Congress would authorize a coin to be struck on behalf of a local private group/sponsor. The sponsor would pay the Mint face value for the coins and then sell them to collectors or other interested souvenir seekers for $1.00 to $2.00 (typically) to raise funds for their local celebration. In the mid-1930s, Congress was inundated with commemorative coin bills, with an increasing number of them being for very local events vs. those of true national significance. After approving 20+ of such bills, Congress finally had enough and let most new bills die in Committee. This Congressional inaction helped hasten the end of an era in our coinage history - a time when the US Mint was forced to strike a large number of "souvenir coins" in addition to meeting our nation's circulating coinage needs. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
Edited by commems
07/22/2022 07:39 am
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
Very interesting!  Imagine how bad it could be now if they had not pumped the brakes back then. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10029 Posts |
Thank God they stopped it back then. I used to like an occasional special issue form Canada, but once the RCM started making a new coin for every time HM The Queen sneezes, I lost interest rapidly. How much squash could a Sasquatch squash if a Sasquatch would squash squash? Download and read: Grading the graders Costly TPG ineptitude and No FG Kennedy halveshttps://ln5.sync.com/dl/7ca91bdd0/w...i3b-rbj9fir2 |
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Moderator
United States
15386 Posts |
I can only shudder in horror if I was forced to collect each of commems 'what if' classic series coins - I believe his reporting is up to about 102 or so examples.
Imagine if we had a 152 or so coin classic silver type set!
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
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Imagine if we had a 152 or so coin classic silver type set! I am sure there would be a few who would still appreciate it. We will never know for sure though.  |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12252 Posts |
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Imagine if we had a 152 or so coin classic silver type set! Such a number makes me wonder if I would have even started a US commemorative coin collection. My collecting life might have gone in a very different direction if faced with such a large number of types (and I know from the info I've gathered that 152 is an underestimate!). Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5177 Posts |
A bit surprising to me, actually. Considering that the country was still suffering from the after-effects of the Great Depression. I cannot imagine people having a lot of discretionary income to purchase coins.
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12252 Posts |
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A bit surprising to me, actually. Considering that the country was still suffering from the after-effects of the Great Depression. I cannot imagine people having a lot of discretionary income to purchase coins. Remember, no matter how difficult the times, there are always people with money/discretionary income. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Replies: 7 / Views: 1,282 |
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Posted 07/22/2022 4:25 pm
