Commems Collection Classic: Quick Bits 169 - A Brief Look At Joseph Cochran

Representative Joseph Cochran (D-MO) was one of the key figures in the classic-era history of United States ("US") commemorative coins. Most noteworthy, were his legislative efforts to control the proliferation of US commemorative coins (see Recalling The Efforts Of Joseph Cochran) for access to the multi-faceted story.

John Joseph Cochran

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

But before he began his crusade against commemorative coins, he was on record as supporting certain coin issues.

Cochran (b. 1880; d. 1947) was in Congress from 1925 to 1947, representing Missouri in the 69th through 79th Congresses (he died after leaving Congress). He was thus a member of Congress during the "busiest" period of the classic US commemorative coin series. He is on record as being in support of several coin initiatives during the mid-1930s.

Here's a quick survey with a link to my story about his connections:

1934-38 Texas Independence Centennial


- 1934-38 Texas Independence Centennial - Coin Plea

1935 Hudson, NY Sesquicentennial


- 1935 Hudson, NY Sesquicentennial - Extended Remarks In House

1935 Old Spanish Trail


- 1935 Old Spanish Trail - Congress

1936 Long Island Tercentenary


- 1936 Long Island Tercentenary - Congress

1936 San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge


- 1936 San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge - Honored Promises Ignored

1937 Battle of Antietam 75th Anniversary


- 1937 Battle Of Antietam 75th Anniversary - Origin Story - Part II


No doubt, Representative Cochran spent time on both sides of the commemorative coin issue, but I think his biggest contribution was his leadership in the effort to put up guardrails for such coin programs.


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