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 Replies: 14 / Views: 2,027 |
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12252 Posts |
I pulled out my notes regarding this proposed 1984 Silver Dollar to prepare a response in a different thread, and figured that as long as I had the materials out...In March 1983, during the 96th Congress, Representative Robert "Bob" Linlithgow Livingston, Jr. (R-LA) introduced a commemorative coin bill in support of the Louisiana World Exposition that was to be held in New Orleans, LA. Upon its introduction, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs. The bill was co-sponsored by several fellow Louisiana Representatives: Corine Claiborne "Lindy" Boggs (D-LA), John Berlinger Breaux (D-LA), Thomas Jerald "Jerry" Huckabee (D-LA), William Henson Moore III (R-LA) and Wilbert Joseph "Billy" Tauzin (D-LA). 1984 Louisiana World Exposition Logo (image Credit: Louisiana World Exposition, Inc. (Dissolved.) Fair use, education.)The Exposition was held from May 12, 1984 through November 11, 1984 on an 82-acre site on the banks of the Mississippi River in New Orleans, LA; the site was an old railroad yard. The official theme of the Exposition was "The World of Rivers -- Fresh Water as a Source of Life" with an objective of increasing public awareness of water usage and the valuable role of fresh water (vs. salt water) within American industry. The coins were intended to financially support the Exposition, and were to be struck for the benefit of Louisiana World Exposition, Incorporated ("Company"). The coins were to be the standard size and composition for a US silver dollar, with a maximum authorized mintage of one million. The Mint was to handle sales/distribution of the dollars, with the issue price specified to be the coin's face Value ($1) plus all production costs (e,g,, design development, dies, striking, packaging, etc.) and added surcharge. The Company was to receive $10 per coin via the included surcharge. ( Side Note: The Exposition definitely could have used any surcharge funds collected for the coins, as it suffered lower-than-forecast attendance which contributed to serious financial hardships - the Exposition actually went bankrupt while it was still open to the public.)The bill did not gain the needed support (the Los Angeles Olympic coin program was getting most of the attention at the time) and was not reported out of Committee for further consideration. Later in the year, companion bills were introduced in the House of Representatives and the Senate that called for up to 750,000 commemorative medals for the same sponsor. The House version of the bill completed its journey through Congress and became Public Law 98-136. The medal story has some interesting twists and turns - I'll cover them in a separate medal-focused post. For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including many more What IF? commemorative coin stories, see: Commems Collection. Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Moderator
United States
15386 Posts |
Interesting What If? - thanks for sharing the story @commems
The 1984 World Exposition is the only one I have attended. I recall the grand scale of the event along the Mississippi river.
I also recall viewing the Space Shuttle Enterprise. This was the machine that had no engines and was used to test the glide landing approach. In 1984 the Space Shuttle program was a rather new technology so the Enterprise exhibit received a lot of public attention.
I was not collection coins back then so did not avail myself of the opportunity to purchase one of the apparently available medals - I look forward to your future reporting on it!
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CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12252 Posts |
I did not attend the Exposition, but would have liked to have seen the Space Shuttle "up close and personal." Space Shuttle Enterprise Being Prepped for Display at Louisiana World Exposition (Image Credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Public Domain.)Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
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Moderator
United States
15386 Posts |
Plan a trip my way @commems - and we can visit the Smithsonian Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center together. I'll buy lunch.  There you can walk right up to the retired Space Shuttle Discovery. The really cool thing (at least to me) is that NASA wisely decided to not clean or refurbish it in any way following it's last flight and orbital re-entry. The charred heat rejections tiles are still there and you can actually smell the machine - as it was when it landed for the final flight of the Space Shuttle program.  Edited by nickelsearcher
06/02/2023 08:58 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Boy, I don't even remember that Exposition!
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
Very interesting!  I was hoping this was coming after you hinted at it in the recent Pan-Pac topic.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
24906 Posts |
Although living in Baton Rouge at the time, the only time I visited the Expo was for a Neil Young concert. There wasn't much else of interest to a 22 year old who cared more about music at the time! Also, it seems that it was not well promoted so I had very little idea of what was there.
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
Quote:
..the only time I visited the Expo was for a Neil Young concert. Keep on rockin' in the free world. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
24906 Posts |
Not for another 5 years, jbuck! I used to have a bootleg of the show, but no longer have a way to play cassettes. One thing that stood out was the encore: a rousing "Down By the River", as we were literally right on the Mississippi River. That show used to be on http://tela.sugarmegs.org/, but I'm not seeing it (9/27/84). Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
Quote:
Not for another 5 years, jbuck! Oops! My bad!  My brain read "There wasn't much else of interest to a 22 year old..." and recalled what song was "current" when I was that age. I was 20 when it came out, but I am sure it was still being played in the bars around the time I was 22.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1227 Posts |
Hondo at lest you had good taste in your music but if you could go back I'm sure you would have bought one of those medals. But in 1984 my m o would have Been the same.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
24906 Posts |
commems will be continuing the story of the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition medal, so I will comment then.
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
24906 Posts |
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Moderator
United States
187582 Posts |
Very nice! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3634 Posts |
Interesting "What If?" and follow-on discussion. Thanks!
Member of SPMC, FCCB, ANA and ANS. My U.S. Classic Commemorative Complete Set: https://www.NGCcoin.com/registry/co...sets/278741/My U.S. Fractional Note Set: https://notes.www.collectors-societ...eSetID=34188 |
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Replies: 14 / Views: 2,027 |
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Posted 06/02/2023 08:33 am
