Commems Collection Modern: What If? 1971 American Revolution Bicentennial

With collector attention turned squarely toward the coins and medals to be released by the United States ("US") Mint in 2026 for the nation's 250th Anniversary (aka Semiquincentennial), it seems appropriate to travel back about 50 years to explore potential US 1976 Bicentennial numismatic programs that were being considered in Congress.

Here's the story of one of several:


In my mind, this proposal falls best into the category of "throw it against the wall, and see what sticks."

In April 1971, Frank Forrester Church (D-ID) introduced a bill in the Senate "to provide for the coinage of coins commemorating the bicentennial." The bill sought a "special set" of multiple silver coins to mark the nation's milestone Anniversary, but was light on details regarding such coins.

Note: Idaho ("ID") is a State rich in silver deposits and mining production, so a silver coin proposal from a Idaho Senator is not all that unforeseen.

In his introductory comments regarding his coin bill, Senator Church stated:

"It is appropriate that the 250th anniversary of our independence be commemorated by a set of fine silver coins which hold an intrinsic value. The minting of such a special issue is not without precedent, Mr. President. In 1926, two gold coins, one with a denomination of $2.50 and the other with face value of $0.50, [sic - Gold Quarter Eagle, Silver Half Dollar] were issued to commemorate the 150th anniversary of our Nation's independence.

"My bill would leave complete discretion to the Secretary of the Treasury to determine how many different coins should comprise such a commemorative set, how many sets should be minted, the price to be charged for such sets and, in [consultation] with the Joint Commission on Coinage, what designs the coins should bear."

Restrictive, Senator Church's proposed legislation was not!

I don't know how far afield the Secretary of the Treasury may have gone regarding denominations of coins to include in the set, my guess would be a generally conservative approach that featured Silver Dollars and Silver Half Dollars. Of course, other denominations may also have been chosen, potentially creating an early forerunner of today's Silver Proof Set!

Almost regardless of its components, I think collectors would have eagerly embraced the coins and sales would have been strong.

Upon its introduction, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs;" it did not proceed further and was not considered in the Senate beyond the Committee.


Stay tuned for additional stories about 1970s efforts to have US Bicentennial commemorative coins and medals struck.


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