I've previously posted about the path through Congress taken by the 1925 Norse-American Centennial Medal (read it here:
1925 Norse-American Centennial Medal - Origin Story), but I wanted to quickly revisit the topic to share one additional aspect of its journey that might seem like a frivolous nit pick, but was actually a very valid discussion point.
When Minnesota Representative Ole Juulston Kvale (Farmer/Labor-MN) brought up his Norse-American medal bill for consideration in the House of Representatives ("House") in February 1925, James Thomas Begg (R-OH) rose and indicated that unless he received the information he was seeking, he would object to the bill:
MR. BEGG: Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, Is there anyone who can give me some information about this bill? Unless I can get some information about it I shall object.
Mr. KVALE. Mr. Speaker, I can give the gentleman information about the bill.
Mr. BEGG. What does the Secretary [of the Treasury] say about it?
Mr. KVALE. The Secretary is very willing to have this bill pass, I will say to the gentleman.
The SPEAKER. Is there objection?
Mr. BEGG. I shall not object, Mr. Speaker.It was a quick exchange, but important from the perspective that it considered the Treasury's evolving position on US commemorative coins at the time (in general, it no longer supported their issue). Begg raised a very valid question - seeking to clarify the Treasury's position on the medal bill. It was, IMO, responsible governing and not frivolous in the least..
Often, a bit of explicit clarification is important and useful!
1925 Norse-American Centennial Medal - Thick Variety
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more Norse-American medal stories, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 10/06/2025 12:24 pm
this lowball! 
