Commems Collection Classic: 1921 Alabama Statehood Centennial - Congress

I've always chuckled over this exchange during the Hearing for the 1921 Alabama Statehood Centennial coin:

Lilius Bratton Rainey (D-AL), the Congressional sponsor of the coin legislation, began:

"...this bill is to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the admission of the State of Alabama into the Union. Alabama was admitted on December 4, 1819. The State will very gladly bear whatever expense is necessary in the way of dies for comage of the 25-ccnt pieces. The bill calls for 100,000 25-cent pieces to be coined in commemoration of the anniversary, the one hundredth, of the admission into the Union of our State. The only criticism that I have heard at all in the State is this, one of the daily papers thought that we ought to have asked for 200,000 instead of 100,000. Mr. Chairman, I do not know that anything else could be said in regard to the bill."

After this introduction to the bill, Representatives Rainey, William A. Ashbrook (D-OH) and Oscar E. Keller (R-MN) began a brief exchange:

"ASHBROOK: I am in favor of the bill. I would inquire why you ask for 25-ccnt pieces instead of 50-cent pieces? Other States have been asking for the 50-cent piece.

"RAINEY: It will make no difference with me. I was using the words 25-cent piece.

"ASHBROOK: The bill specifies that.

"RAINEY: It is not that I think Alabama is any cheaper than Maine. Maine asked for the 50-cent piece.

"KELLER: Probably all could not have the 50-cent piece.

"ASHBROOK: 'There is no reason why they could not.

"RAINEY: As far as I am concerned, the coinage of the 50-cent piece will be all right. Perhaps it will be better."

Now that's dedication to the cause by Representative Rainey - "I'll take whatever coin you want to give me." (I've written a brief post about the Alabama 25-Cent coin here: Quick Bits 135 - 1921 Alabama Statehood Centennial - 25-Cents.

Of course, the 1921 Alabama Statehood Centennial coin was issued as a Half Dollar.

1921 Alabame Statehood Centennial Half Dollar - plain Variety



For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more about the Alabama half dollar, see: Commems Collection