In a previous post, I discussed the efforts seen in the 112th Congress to authorize a 2015 commemorative coin program that was to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the 1914 Opening of the Panama Canal and the 1915 staging of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. You can read it here:
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What If? 2015 Panama-Pacific International Exposition And Panama CanalThis time out, I'm discussing the follow-up coin proposal introduced in the 113th Congress after the previous efforts failed.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives ("House") in July 2013 by Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). She introduced the bill for herself and fellow California Representatives Anna Georges Eshoo (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), George Miller (D-CA), Grace Flores Napolitano (D-CA), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Karen Lorraine Jacqueline Speier (D-CA), Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Michael Thompson (D-CA).
ICYWW: Yes, there were Republican California Representatives in the House, 15 in total at the time, but none were co-sponsors of Pelosi's coin bill. 
Upon its introduction, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Though its intent, and many of its provisions, mirrored those of the previous House and Senate bills, Pelosi's bill did include multiple changes/revisions. For starters, the bill featured a modified "Findings" section:
"The Congress finds the following:
"(1) The Panama Canal, which cuts across the Isthmus of Panama, was built between 1890 and 1914. It was the world's greatest engineering feat of its time and required a labor force of almost 40,000. [Repeated; renumbered from #9]
"(2) President Theodore Roosevelt, recognizing the value of a canal, led the United States in buying the equipment and concession to build the canal for $40 million, and championed the effort that overcame malaria and immense logistical problems. The Canal opened on August 15, 1914—401 years after Spanish explorer Vasco Nuñez de Balboa first crossed Panama. [New]
"(3) Stretching 51 miles, the Panama Canal connected the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, saving sailors a dangerous 8,000-mile journey around Cape Horn and through the Straits of Magellan, and cutting in half the time previously required to sail between the oceans. [Repeated; renumbered from #11]
"(4) The 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition was a world's fair held in San Francisco, California. The Exposition ran from February 20 until December 4, 1915. [Repeated; renumbered from #1
"(5) The Exposition commemorated the completion of the Panama Canal and the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the Pacific Ocean by Balboa. Reworded; renumbered from #2]
"(6) Congress authorized the United States Mint to issue five different coins dated 1915 in connection with the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. The coins represent a high-water mark for American commemorative coins. Produced at the San Francisco Mint, these were the first United States commemorative coins to bear the motto "In God We Trust", and included the silver Panama-Pacific half dollar and four gold coins in denominations of one dollar, 2-1#8260;2 dollars, a 50-dollar round coin, and a unique 50-dollar octagonal coin. [Repeated; renumbered from #7]
"(7) The octagonal $50 gold piece was the largest coin authorized by Congress, and the first minted since 1852 in a shape other than round. [Repeated; renumbered from #8]
"(8) The United States should mark the centennial of this important event in San Francisco and the monumental achievement of the opening of the Panama Canal. [Repeated; renumbered from #12]
"(9) The proceeds from the surcharge on the sale of such commemorative coins will assist in supporting the educational programs of the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society." [Dropped support for Theodore Roosevelt's home; renumbered from #13]The bill's "Findings" section was reduced from 13 items in the previous bill to 9; the new "Findings" removed discussion of the Exposition's role in San Francisco's economic recovery after the 1906 earthquake; added details about the US' role in the Canal's construction; dropped details regarding the 1915 Exposition and modified the use of collected surcharges such that the National Park Service and Theodore Roosevelt's Oyster Bay home were no longer listed as beneficiaries.
The story continues in Part II.
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including other What If? stories and posts about the original 1915 coins, see:
Commems Collection
Posted Today 4H 15M ago
