Per Sidney J. Phillips, President of the Booker T. Washington ("BTW") Birthplace Memorial, the net proceeds from sales of the Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial Half Dollar were to be used to construct and maintain memorials to BTW and to fund the construction of an Industrial School for African-Americans in Franklin County, Virginia.
In a December message that was part of the launch of the new commemorative coin, Phillips stated:
"Those responsible for planning the Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial worked long and earnestly to insure the success of the program we are now launching. Much information has been sought, many sources studied. It is our sincere belief that working along the lines indicated will bring results that shall reflect credit upon all Americans.
"Booker T. Washington was a great American. He worked unselfishly and untiringly for the welfare of his fellowman. It is earnestly hoped that in appreciation for his great contribution, all groups and individuals will join hands to carry this program to a successful goal.
"Certainly no more worthy cause could appear to challenge all Americans. When you buy these half-dollars you do TWO VERY IMPORTANT THINGS:
"1. You secure a very valuable coin that you can save or pass on to your children as both an inspiration and investment.
"2. You can help erect a specialized indutrial training school and a shrine that the world may visit and look upon as a monument to the achievement of a great American who rose FROM SLAVE TO HALL OF FAME."Soon after the plan was announced, however, opposing views regarding the use of coin sale proceeds began to surface. The Norfolk (Virginia)
Journal and Guide published an editorial that suggested a different use for coin proceeds:
"It might be that a real service can be rendered more adequately by a different memorial project than the attempt to found and operate a school of any merit. One such alternate might well be the creation of a scholarship fund to help deserving students to attend Hampton, where Dr. Washington was educated, or Tuskegee, which he founded and developed -- or any college for that matter."Dr. Jackson Davis, the Vice President and Director of the Virginia General Education Board, supported an alternative plan, concluding: "...it would not be wise to seek to found and operate an institution of the kind proposed."
Dr. Davis also commented after seeing the
Journal and Guide editorial: "There are very few [African-Americans] in the area in which Franklin County is situated and for this reason it would not seem the best place to locate a school." He also advocated for the support of the Hampton Institute and Tuskegee Institute.
Did these views alter Phillips course? No. He had a different vision for his coin's proceeds.
In the end, whether due to lower-than-expected sales volume or for other reasons, the Industrial School was not constructed; coin proceeds went toward BTW memorials.
Personally, I think the scholarship idea was a good one. Who knows what might have been accomplished by students who received a BTW "coin proceeds" scholarship?
1946 Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial Half Dollar
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more BTW stories, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 10/18/2025 5:56 pm
Uncirculated American Silver Eagles 
