Commems Collection Classic: Quick Bits 137 - A Veto Connection

I've written before about the several classic-era US commemorative coin proposals that were authorized by the US Congress but vetoed by the President.(See: Index To Classic Era Commemorative Coins That Were Vetoed for links to each of the posts.)

Here, I take a quick look at three such coin proposals that were vetoed by President Dwight David Eisenhower on the same day: February 3, 1954.

The coin bills in question were:

1. Tercentennial of the Founding of Northampton, MA
2. Tercentennial of the Founding of New York (City)
3. Sesquicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase

The individual messages Eisenhower returned to Congress regarding each coin proposal included almost identical language. Regarding his objections to each coin bill, he stated:

"The principal objection to commemorative coins is that they detract from the fundamental function of the coinage as a medium of exchange. Multiplicity of designs on United States coins would tend to create confusion among the public, and to facilitate counterfeiting."

In each message, Eisenhower made the same comment regarding delineating between his reason(s) for objecting to the coin proposals and the event to be commemorated:

"I fully recognize the importance to the country of the event which this coin would commemorate. I recognize, too, that the authorization of 1 or 2 or 3 of such issues of coins would not do major harm. However, experience has demonstrated that the authorization of even a single commemorative issue brings forth a flood of other authorizations to commemorate events or anniversaries of local or national importance."

Eisenhower also made it clear that he wasn't opposed to having the Treasury Department/US Mint strike a commemorative piece for the event:

"As has been suggested in the past, it seems to me wholly appropriate that anniversaries like this one, which the Congress deems it desirable to commemorate, should be recognized by bills authorizing the Treasury to provide suitable commemorative medals at cost."

So, with basically the same message, President Eisenhower struck down three separate commemorative coin proposals that Congress had supported - all on the same day! A collector could, however, assemble a set of commemorative medals for the three events - though they would be privately-struck pieces vs. US Mint medals.


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more Quick Bits stories, see: Commems Collection.