Commems Collection Classic: Quick Bits #96 - Coins To Medals - Special Cases

In recent Quick Bits posts - Quick BIts #94 - Coins To Medals - Part I and Quick BIts #95 - Coins To Medals - Part II - I presented a number of coin bills for which a related medal bill was also introduced in Congress. Sometimes the medal bill succeeded where the coin bill did not, other times both attempts failed.

Here, I present a few examples of coin bills that failed, but for which a successful medal bill was introduced years, sometimes decades, later.

Mobile. AL 250th Anniversary
US Mint-struck commemorative pieces for two different 250th Anniversary commemorations were attempted for Mobile, Alabama. The 1952 anniversary of the city's original founding, and the 1961 anniversary of Mobile's establishment at a new location - where it remains to the present day. Only the 1961 proposal enjoyed success.

- What If? 1952 Mobile, Alabama 250th Anniversary - Half Dollar
- 1961 Mobile, Alabama 250th Anniversary - Medal


West Virginia Statehood
A bill calling for a 50-cent piece in recognition of the 75th Anniversary of West Virginia's Statehood was introduced in Congress in 1938. The proposal did not succeed, but 25 years later a bill for a commemorative medal to help celebrate West Virginia's Centennial was successful.

- What If? 1938 West Virginia Statehood 75th Anniversary - Half Dollar
- 1963 West Virginia Statehood Centennial - Medal


Nevada Statehood
An attempt was made in 1937-39 to secure a commemorative half dollar to mark the 75th Anniversary of Nevada's Statehood - the attempt failed. Decades later, however, a medal bill for the State's Centennial successfully navigated through Congress and became Public Law in 1964.

- What If? 1939 Nevada Statehood 75th Anniversary - Half Dollar
- 1964 Nevada Statehood Centennial - Medal


For more of my topics on commemorative coins and medals, including a list of other Quick Bits posts, see: Commems Collection.