Collectors of the modern series of United States ("US") commemorative coins are very likely familiar with the two-coin (Gold Half Eagle, Silver Dollar) 1997 Jackie Robinson coin program, but may not be aware that a different commemorative program was also considered at the same time. The bill that ultimately authorized the Jackie Robinson coin program began its journey in Congress as the "Black Revolutionary War Patriots Commemorative Coin Act" without reference to a Jackie Robinson coin program.
The standalone Black Patriots coin bill proposed a commemorative Silver Dollar to benefit the Black Revolutionary War Patriots Foundation and its (failed) efforts to construct a Black Revolutionary War Patriots Memorial in Washington, DC.
The bill was referred to the of the House of Representatives ("House") Committee on Banking and Financial Services, with a further referral to its Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy. The Subcommittee held a Hearing on the bill in September 1996 - the Hearing also examined a Dolley Madison commemorative coin bill and a George Washington commemorative coin bill. At no time during the Hearing was a Jackie Robinson commemorative coin program proposed or discussed.
Following the Hearing, the House considered the bill, passed it and sent it to the Senate for its consideration. In October 1996, Senator Chester Trent Lott (R-MS) (on behalf of Senator Alfonse Marcello D'Amato (R-NY)) introduced an amendment (in the form of a substitute) that added the Jackie Robinson coin program (Gold Half Eagle, Silver Dollar), as well as the Dolley Madison Silver Dollar, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Gold Half Eagle, the Yellowstone National Park Silver Dollar and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Silver Dollar to the Black Patriots Silver Dollar proposal. Quite an amendment!
The Senate approved the amended bill and sent it to the House for consideration. The House concurred in the Senate amendment after which it was presented to, and approved by, the President. US President William "Bill" Jefferson Clinton signed the bill into law on October 20, 1996.
While the Black Patriots bill was under review in the Senate in September 1996, a pair of bills were introduced in the House and Senate that called for a Jackie Robinson Silver Dollar (no Gold Half Eagle). The House bill was introduced first, by Bob Franks (R-NJ), with Alfonse D'Amato's Senate bill following just days later - it also called only for a Silver Dollar.
These single-coin bills did not get much consideration, however, as the Lott/D'Amato amendment/bill discussed above was introduced in early October and garnered the "moving forward" attention. Though not documented specifically, it appears plausible that the thought of a Jackie Robinson Gold Half Eagle may have originated with Senator Lott - based on the fact that D'Amato's standalone bill featured just a Silver Dollar but the amendment/bill introduced by Senator Lott included a Gold Half Eagle as well.
So, instead of being limited to a Jackie Robinson/50th Anniversary of Major League Baseball's Integration Silver Dollar, collectors get to enjoy a commemorative Gold Half Eagle as well.
1997 Jackie Robinson Gold Half Eagle
1997 Jackie Robinson Silver Dollar
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For a time, the Uncirculated version of the Gold Half Eagle was considered the "key" to the modern series and commanded very strong prices in the marketplace (>$4,000 per coin), but as other low-mintage gold coins appeared in the series, the market price for the Robinson retreated. Today, the high spot price of gold is driving advances in the market prices of all modern US gold commemorative coins.
As typical, I went with the Uncirculated versions of the coins, but I also have a Gold Half Eagle in Proof that I got as part of the Jackie Robinson Legacy Set which also includes a 50th Anniversary patch, a 50th Anniversary lapel pin and a commemorative Jackie Robinson baseball card.For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 10/16/2025 05:04 am
