Commems Collection Classic: What If? 1952 Booker T Washington Birthplace Memorial

I've posted before about how Sidney J. Phillips, sponsor/promoter of the Booker T Washington (BTW) Birthplace Memorial half dollar, got engaged in the effort to support the George Washington Carver National Monument by establishing the George Washington Carver National Monument Foundation and helping to secure an amendment to the Phillips-sponsored BTW Birthplace Memorial Coin Act (1946) that extended the "life" of the original coin by adding a portrait of George Washington Carver and declared its objective was "to oppose the spread of communism among Negroes in the interest of the national defense."

See:

- 1951-54 George W Carver - Booker T Washington - G W C National Monument OR

- 1951-54 George W Carver - Booker T Washington - G W C National Monument II

for more on the story.

Per its enacting legislation, authorization for the striking of BTW half dollars was set to expire August 8, 1951. As the date drew near, Phillips likely explored his chances of successfully securing an extension to the coining authority for his BTW Birthplace Memorial half dollar as there were coins still available from the legislated maximum; he had not yet ordered/received the full mintage of the coin's authorization.

Unfortunately for Phillips, the US Congress was in a different state of mind in 1951 (vs. even 1946) regarding commemorative coins, including being mindful of potential collector abuses and the idea of extending a coin program that had already released six years of coins (1946-51) was likely not very palatable.

So, the evidence suggests that Phillips decided that an alternate route would be his best option - he promoted an amendment that expanded the scope and purpose of the original BTW Coin Act. Ultimately, the George Washington Carver National Monument - Booker T Washington Birthplace Memorial half dollar was introduced and authorized. The new coin was signed into law on September 21, 1951.

Note: There was an approximately six-week gap in coining authority between the expiration of the BTW Birthplace Memorial Coin Act (August 8, 1951) and the enactment of the GWC-BTW Coin Act (September 21, 1951).. (The quiet before the storm!)

But "What If?" Phillips did not engage in the GWC-BTW coin effort? "What If?" Phillips stayed focused on the original BTW Birthplace Memorial half dollar? IMO, a BTW Birthplace coin program extension would have been an uphill battle for Phillips, but he might have been able to work some magic playing the anti-Communism card as he did for the GWC-BTW coin program.

I've posted before about Phillips' unsuccessful attempt to get a 1956 commemorative half dollar to help mark the centennial of the birth of Booker T Washington (What If? 1956 Booker T Washington Coin #3, so I can envision him pursuing a five-year extension to the original BTW Birthplace Memorial coin program to carry him through to the milestone BTW anniversary.

Of course, this is all pure speculation as we know that the GWC-BTW coin program superseded the original BTW Birthplace coin program which went quietly into that good night in the Summer of '51. But it's fun to think about!

1946 Booker T Washington Birthplace Memorial Half Dollar


1951 George Washington Carver - Booker T Washington National Monuments Half Dollar



FWIW: I think a BTW Birthplace Memorial "half dollar" dated "1952" or "1956" would be a good candidate for a Daniel Carr Fantasy Over-strike piece!


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more on the BTW and GWC-BTW half dollars, see: Commems Collection.