Commems Collection Classic: What If? 1955 Dover, NH

In January, 1955 Chester Earl Merrow (R-NH) introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that called for a half dollar coin "to commemorate the centennial celebration of the incorporation of the city of Dover, New Hampshire." Dover is located in the southeastern portion of New Hampshire, a short distance from the state's only deep water Port - the Port of New Hampshire.

What is the significance of Dover, NH and why would the centennial of its incorporation justify a US commemorative coin?

Maybe its overall history?

From the Dover, NH web site (www.dover.nh.gov):

The city of Dover has a long and colorful history spanning nearly four centuries. Its earliest days as a colonial seaport led to a successful shipbuilding industry in the 1700s, and it flourished in the 19th century as the nation's leading manufacturer of cotton goods. The development of a brick industry spanned decades of successful mill operations through the middle of the 20th century. Dover's renaissance as a thriving, competitive community continues today.

That's fine, but not spectacular. Maybe there's something about its early settlement?

The first European/English settlers arrived in the present-day Dover area in 1623; William and Edward Pomeroy are on record as settling in Pomeroy Cove on Dover Point at that time. Based on this, Dover has the distinction of being the oldest continuous settlement in New Hampshire and among the Top 15 oldest in the US. Prior to the Europeans, the Abenaki people inhabited the area. Early growth of the settlement (by Europeans) was aided by its shipbuilding industry and was later fueled by the various mills built along the Cochecko River (below the Cocheko Falls) that were driven by water power. After 2+ centuries of growth, Dover was incorporated as a City in 1855 (the subject of the coin).

All well and good, but hardly a city of national renown or an incorporation story that reaches a level of national significance to merit a commemorative coin. (At least IMO.)

The bill specified that Dover would be celebrating its incorporation centennial in August, 1955 - a not-so-subtle hint that the special coins were desired by then. The sponsor of the coin was the City of Dover (vs. a private local organization, coin dealer, coin club, etc.), and only it, or its authorized agent, were eligible to order and/or receive the coins (after paying for them). Net proceeds from the sale of the coins were to be used for "purposes related to the observance of such centennial celebration as the city of Dover, New Hampshire, shall direct."

The proposed legislation was open-ended, as it specified that "not less than twenty-five thousand silver 50-cent pieces" were to be stuck, but no upper limit or expiration date for coining authority was included. Also, the bill's language lacked any provision(s) to limit the number of Mint facilities that could be used. The bill, as written, would allow Dover half dollars to have been struck well beyond 1955 at any or all of the US Mint facilities. Theoretically, the coins could continue to be struck today as P/D/S sets!

Upon its introduction, the bill was referred to the Committee on Banking and Currency; it was never reported out for further consideration and thus died for lack of action. IMO, an appropriate result - a proposal of a far-too-local event to be rewarded with a legal tender US coin.


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more What If? stories, see: Commems Collection.