Commems Collection Modern: What If? 1978 Georgia Neese Clark (Gray) Dollar Coin

In June 1978, during the 95th Congress, in the midst of multiple proposals for a small dollar coin depicting Susan B. Anthony, Martha E. Keys (D-KS) introduced a similar small dollar coin bill in the House of Representatives ("House") that sought to recognize Georgia Neese Clark (Gray).

Note: A similar proposal was introduced for Margaret Chase Smith in 1997. (See: What If? 1997 Margaret Chase Smith Dollar.)

As with the Anthony coin proposals, the Clark $1 coin bill specified changes to the size, weight and design of the $1 coin via amendment to the Coinage Act of 1965.

Georgia Neese Clark - Circa 1940

(Image Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Public Domain.)

Georgia Neese Clark was the first woman to hold the position of Treasurer of the United States ("US"); she served under Harry S. Truman from June 1949 to January 1953 (and Dwight D. Eisenhower for a few days). In her position as US Treasurer, her signature was included on multiple US currency notes:

- $1 Silver Certificate: Series 1935D
- $2 United States Note: Series 1928G (Red Seal)
- $5 United States Note: Series 1928F
- $5 Silver Certificate: Series 1934D
- $10 Silver Certificate: Series 1934D
- Federal Reserve Notes ($5, $10, $20, $50 and $100): Series 1934D and Series 1950.

Note 1: The bills featured "Georgia Neese Clark" as the signature; "Gray" was not included.

Note 2: Georgia Neese was born in Richland, Kansas in January 1898. She married George M. Clark in January 1929, divorced him in the mid-1940s and married Andrew J. Gray in January 1953 - just prior to leaving office. She died in October 1995.

Upon its introduction, the one-dollar coin bill was referred to the House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs. It did not progress beyond its Committee referral.

After the coin bill stalled in favor of Susan B. Anthony dollar coin legislation, multiple bills were introduced that called for Clark's portrait to replace that of Ulysses S. Grant on the $50 note. Bills were introduced in the 96th, 97th, 98th, 99th and 100th Congresses - none moved beyond Committee referral.


For other of my posts about coins, medals and currency, see: Commems Collection