Commems Collection Modern: 2001 National Museum Of The American Indian - Congress / Part I

I've written before about efforts in Congress to authorize a commemorative coin to support the National Museum of the American Indian ("NMAI") in Washington, DC - Half Dollar and Five-Cent Pieces have been discussed:

- What If? 2000/2001/2002 Buffalo Nickel

- What If? 2000/2001/2002 Buffalo Half Dollar

These efforts failed, but in March 2000, during the Second Session of the 106th Congress, a coin bill was introduced in the Senate by Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-CO). Upon its introduction, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.

In April 2000, Frank D. Lucas (R-OK) introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives ("House"); it was referred to the House Committee on Banking and Financial Services, with a further referral to its Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy.

Each bill called for the minting of not more than 500,000 Silver Dollars; Proof and Uncirculated versions were to be struck.

Note: The House version of the bill quickly gained support (it ultimately had 299 co-sponsors) and was the version to move forward. The bill sailed through Congress without issue/obstacle.

The bills included a "Findings" section that provided background and context for the coin proposal:

"Congress finds the following:

"(1) The Smithsonian Institution was established in 1846, with funds bequeathed to the United States by James Smithson for the 'increase and diffusion of knowledge'.

"(2) Once established, the Smithsonian Institution became an important part of the process of developing the United States national identity, an ongoing role which continues today.

"(3) The Smithsonian Institution, which is now the world's largest museum complex, including 16 museums, 4 research centers, and the National Zoo, is visited by millions of Americans and people from all over the world each year.

"(4) The National Museum of the American Indian of the Smithsonian Institution (hereafter referred to in this section as the ``NMAI'') was established by an Act of Congress in 1989, in Public Law 101-185.

"(5) The purpose of the NMAI, as established by Congress, is to--

"(A) advance the study of Native Americans, including the study of language, literature, history, art, anthropology, and life;

"(B) collect, preserve, and exhibit Native American objects of artistic, historical, literary, anthropological, and scientific interest; and

"(C) provide for Native American research and study programs.

"(6) The NMAI works in cooperation with Native Americans and oversees a collection that spans more than 10,000 years of American history.

"(7) It is fitting that the NMAI will be located in a place of honor near the United States Capitol, and on the National Mall.

"(8) Thousands of Americans, including many American Indians, came from all over the Nation to witness the ground-breaking ceremony for the NMAI on September 28, 1999.

"(9) The NMAI is scheduled to open in the summer of 2002.

"(10) The original 5-cent Buffalo nickel, as designed by James Earle Fraser and minted from 1913 through 1938, which portrays a profile representation of a Native American on the obverse side and a representation of an American buffalo on the reverse side, is a distinctive and appropriate model for a coin to commemorate the NMAI.

"(11) The surcharge proceeds from the sale of a commemorative coin, which would have no net cost to the taxpayers, would raise valuable funding for the opening of the NMAI and help to supplement the endowment and educational outreach funds of the NMAI."

The bills provided specific design requirements for the proposed Silver Dollar:

"The design of the $1 coins minted under this Act shall be based on the original 5-cent Buffalo nickel designed by James Earle Fraser and minted from 1913 through 1938. Each coin shall have on the obverse side a profile representation of a Native American, and on the reverse side, a representation of an American buffalo (also known as a bison)."

Note: While "Buffalo" and "Bison" are not perfectly interchangeable, credit should be given for the fact that at least the proper identifier (i.e., "Bison") was included.

The Secretary of the Treasury was to select the final designs, in consultation with the Commission of Fine Arts. The Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee was to review potential designs.

Note: Considering the specificity of the design requirements included in the bill, the reviews were primarily about ensuring faithfulness to the original 1913-38 designs of James Earle Fraser.

The Issue Price of each Silver Dollar was to include a surcharge of $10, with collected surcharges being paid to the National Museum of the American Indian of the Smithsonian Institution to be used for:

"(1) commemorating the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian; and

"(2) supplementing the endowment and educational outreach funds of the Museum of the American Indian."

The coins were to be struck/issued in Calendar Year 2001.

To continue the story of the coin's journey in Congress, see:

- 2001 National Museum of the American Indian Silver Dollar - Congress / Part II


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