Commems Collection Classic: What If? Alternate Iowa, B T Washington, Washington-Carver Coin Programs

I've written about a 1941 proposal that called for an additional US Mint facilty in the central United States ("US"). (Read about it here: What If? 1941 Additional US Mint.)

The proposal made me think about its potential impact on the classic-era US commemorative coin series.

First, the 1946 Iowa Statehood Centennial Half Dollar. If a central US Mint was operational at the time of its issue, I wonder if its coin committee would have requested that its "local" mint strike the coins vs. Philadelphia? If such a request was fulfilled, the Iowa coins would likely feature a mint mark, something that Philadelphia-struck coins of the time did not include. A subtle change, but one that is an important distinction to many collectors.

1946 Iowa Statehood Centennial Half Dollar


Then there are the 1946-51 Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial and the 1951-54 George Washington Carver-Booker T. Washington National Memorials commemorative coin programs. Would they continue to include just P / D / S coins? OR Would a fourth mint be added to the mix? The multi-year / multi-mint coin programs are large enough as is, imagine if the were even larger?

1946 Booker T. Washington Birthplace Memorial Half Dollar


1951-S George Washington Carver - Booker T. Washington National Memorials Half Dollar



For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more stories about each of the coins referenced here, see: Commems Collection.