Commems Collection Modern: 2000 Library Of Congress Bicentennial - The Journey

Efforts to authorize a commemorative coin program for the Bicentennial of the Library of Congress began in the United States ("US") Senate during the Second Session of the 104th Congress. Senator Claiborne de Borda Pell (D-RI) on behalf of himself and Mark Odom Hatfield (R-OR) introduced a bill "to mint coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the Library of Congress" in September 1996.

Upon its introduction, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. The bill did not, however, progress past such Committee referral.

Senator Theodore Fulton "Ted" Stevens (R-AK) renewed efforts during the First Session of the 105th Congress with the introduction of a similar bill to that of the 104th. As with the prior bill, Stevens' bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.

Once again, as with the bill of the 104th Congress, Stevens' bill failed to move beyond its Committee referral. It did, however, begin to build momentum for the idea of a commemorative coin program as multiple co-sponsors signed on in support.

Things came together during the Second Session of the 105th Congress. Companion bills were introduced in the House of Representatives ("House") by William Marshall Thomas (R-CA) [May 1998] and in the Senate by Ted Stevens (for himself and 50+ co-sponsors) [September 1998].

The bills called for up to 100,000 Gold Half Eagles and up to 500,000 Silver Dollars. Interestingly, the bills also included a provision that authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and issue up to 200,000 bi-metallic $10 gold and platinum coins instead of the Gold Half Eagle ($5); the Treasury went with the bi-metallic option.

If you're interested in the use of platinum in US commemorative coins, you should have a look at:

= Platinum Commemorative Coins

The companion bills included the general design parameter of "shall be emblematic of the Library of Congress." (IMO, this general direction allowed tremendous flexibility in design development.) The Secretary of the Treasury was to select the final designs, in consultation with the Library of Congress and the Commission of Fine Arts. The Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee was to serve in a design review capacity.

The coins were to be produced in Proof and Uncirculated versions, and be issued in Calendar Year 2000.

The Issue Price of each coin was to include a per-coin surcharge:

- $50 per Bi-metallic Eagle*
- $35 per Gold Half Eagle*
- $5 per Silver Dollar

* Whichever was struck

Collected surcharges were to be paid to the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board "to be used for the purpose of supporting bicentennial programs, educational outreach activities (including schools and libraries), and other activities of the Library of Congress."

The House bill was referred to the House Committee on Banking and Financial Services. Before the Committee could review/report, the bill was brought up for consideration in the House by Michael Newbold Castle (R-DE) in August 1998.

Castle made a motion to "suspend the rules" and pass the Library of Congress Bicentennial coin bill. Representative Castle also thanked William Marshall Thomas (R-CA) for his instrumental assistance in quickly securing 299 co-sponsors for the coin bill, essentially guaranteeing its passage.

Casrle was followed by Samuel Gejdenson (D-CT) who rose in support of the bill and offered:

"I would like to join my colleague in support of the legislation and to spend just one moment trying to get across how important this legislation is.

"It is not simply a coin that rightfully commemorates the history of this great institution, the Library of Congress. It is not just something that is going to make money and pay for some of its operations. It will indeed, for the first time, put something I think that every American ought to have access to, and that is the information at the Library of Congress. The digitizing of the Library's resources really changes who gets to access this information."

(Speaking from personal experience, the vast amount of information put online by the Library of Congress has been of great benefit to me and my research, and if my purchase of the coins - when released - in some small way supported the Library of Congress' digitization project - all the better!)

As there was no objection, the bill was read and considered. With no dissenting voices to be heard, the bill was passed via voice vote and sent to the Senate for its consideration. Once received in the Senate, it was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.

Olympia Jean Snowe (R-ME) called up the House bill in the Senate and motioned for the Banking Committee to be discharged from consideration of the coin bill and that it be immediately considered by the full Senate. As there was no objection to the motion, the Senate moved forward and passed the bill via Unanimous Consent.

The bill was examined and signed in each chamber, then sent to the President for approval. US President William "Bill" Clinton signed the coin bill into law on October 19, 1998.

Ted Stevens introduced his companion bill in the Senate in late September 1998. It was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, but progressed no farther as the House bill took precedence.

For a discussion of the coins, see:

- 2000 Library Of Congress Coins


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including other modern commemorative coin stories, see: Commems Collection