Commems Collection Classic: 1926 American Independence Sesquicentennial - Origin Story

The journey to the silver and gold coins issued to mark the 150th anniversary of American Independence began in February 1925 when the Mayor of Philadelphia, and President of the Sesquicentennial Exhibition Association, W. Freeland Kendrick, wrote to President Calvin Coolidge requesting that he:

1. Send invitations "to the nations of the world to participate in the sesquicentennial of American independence."

2. Request that such nations send naval vessels to participate in the Exposition.

3. Indicate to Congress his support for:



Coolodge supported Kendrick's proposal and forwarded his letter to Congress, adding his recommendation for "favorable consideration."

Just days later, Joint Resolutions were introduced in the House of Representatives and Senate that called for "the cooperation of the United States in the sesquicentennial exhibition commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence." Representative George Potter Darrow (R-PA) introduced the Resolution in the House; Senator George Wharton Pepper (R-PA) handled matters in the Senate. The House Resolution was referred to the Committee on Industrial Arts and Expositions; the Senate Resolution was referred to the Committee on the Library.

Each of the Resolutions established the requested National Advisory Commission ("Commission") to the Sesquicentennial Exhibition Association ("Association") and authorized the Commission to work with the Association regarding the staging of the Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition; the Philadelphia-based Association was formed in January 1921. In addition, it laid the groundwork for the creation of a US Government Exhibit at the Exposition.

The Resolutions also included the requested language that called for commemorative coins to be struck - 500,000 $1.50 gold coins (see link below), and one million silver 50-cent pieces. Also included was the requested commemorative $1 bill.

The Senate's Committee on the Library reported back first. It supported the Resolution but recommended substitute language for its first section. The new language provided the Commission's membership details as outlined by Mayor Kendrick. The new language was reported out to the Senate.

The Senate moved quickly, amending and passing its Joint Resolution ahead of the House. When its Joint Resolution was brought up for consideration by the House, the already-passed Senate version was substituted without objection. During its consideration of the Resolution, the House passed several amendments: it changed the gold $1.50 coin to a Quarter Eagle ($2.50), lowered its authorized mintage to 200,000 coins (from 500,000) and removed the commemorative $1 note/bill. The Resolution with its House amendments was then returned to the Senate for concurrence.

Side Note: The idea of a commemorative bill came to fruition roughly 50 years later in the form of a $2.00 bill as the US marked its 200th Anniversary/Bicentennial. John Trumbull's Declaration of Independence painting is seen on the note's back.

The Senate agreed to the House amendments without debate, thus allowing the Resolution to be sent to the President for approval and signature. US President Calvin Coolidge signed the Joint Resolution into law on March 3, 1925. With it, the last program of the classic era to include gold and silver commemorative coins was officially created - there would not be another approved combination program until the 1983-84 Los Angeles Olympics coin program within the modern series (two Silver Dollar designs plus a Gold Eagle ($10)).

1925 American Independence Sesqui-Centennial Coins








For more on the issued 1926 Sesquicentennial of American Independence coins - along with the proposed gold $1.50 coin - check out:

- 1926 American Independence Sesquicentennial
- 1926 American Independence Sesquicentennial - Ephemera
- What If? 1926 American Independence Sesquicentennial Gold $1.50


For a brief discussion of the Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition in Philadelphia, check out:

- 1926 American Independence Sesquicentennial - Coins with Conjoined Portraits Thread


For other of my posts on commemorative coins and medals, have a look at: Read More: Commems Collection.