In April 1918, George Francis O'Shaunessy (D-RI) introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that called for the minting of a new 15-cent coin for general circulation; the silver coin was to slot in between the dime and quarter in the US coinage system.
Note: $0.15 in 1918 would be worth ~$3.15 in 2025.The coin's specifications (i.e., diameter, weight, composition, etc.) and designs were to be determined by the Director of the Mint; the Secretary of the Treasury had approval authority.
Some believe a primary catalyst behind the coin bill's introduction was the average price of a movie ticket in the US in 1918 - 15 cents - with John von Herberg - a Seattle movie theater owner - credited with the initial proposal circa 1917. Beyond movie ticket prices, however, inflation at the time had caused the price of many 10-cent items to advance to 15 cents (e.g., a pack of cigarettes) - the proposed coin was to make paying for such items easier and more convenient (one coin vs. two or more).
A number of movie theater operators from across the US liked the 15-cent coin idea and banded together, met with the US Treasury and engaged Representative O'Shaunessy to introduce the apprpriate legislation. It's not clear, however, if their push was driven more by a desire for economic efficiency or a desire to gain publicity.
Upon its introduction, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures. The bill did not gain enough support in Committee to be reported out, and was subsequently not considered by the House; it died for lack of action when the 65th Congress adjourned in March 1919.
The US public had to make do with its cents, nickels and dimes!
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, plus other US odd-denomination coin stories, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 05/26/2025 2:02 pm
