Congress votes to issue a Christa McAuliffe commemorative

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by Skyman, Sep 20, 2019.

  1. Inspector43

    Inspector43 Celebrating 75 Years Active Collecting Supporter

    Years ago I sold some extra Mint Sets, Proof Sets and Silver Commemoratives and other things. Today you can't sell them for what we paid for them. So, I can't let them go.
     
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  3. Islander80-83

    Islander80-83 Well-Known Member

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  4. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    I only buy the basics but non of the overpriced ridiculous times they come up with.
     
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  5. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    They weren't overly specific on the design

    (1) IN GENERAL.—The design of the coins minted under this Act shall bear—

    (A) an image of and the name of Christa McAuliffe on the obverse side; and

    (B) a design on the reverse side that depicts the legacy of Christa McAuliffe as a teacher.

    (2) DESIGNATION AND INSCRIPTIONS.—On each coin minted under this Act, there shall be—

    (A) a designation of the value of the coin;

    (B) an inscription of the year “2020”; and

    (C) inscriptions of the words “Liberty”, “In God We Trust”, “United States of America”, and “E Pluribus Unum”.

    The surcharges are going to go to a robotics program

    (b) Distribution.—Subject to section 5134(f) of title 31, United States Code, and section 8(2), all surcharges received by the Secretary from the sale of coins issued under this Act shall be promptly paid by the Secretary to the FIRST robotics program for the purpose of engaging and inspiring young people, through mentor-based programs, to become leaders in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

    And maybe it is too soon for it to be updated, but the Congress.gov website doesn't show that this bill has moved since it was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services on January 11th 2019. Ok it does show that the Senate version of the bill has passed the Senate and the House. And it is the Senate version not Rep Fred Upton's bill that was passed. The bill Upton introduced in the House was dead until the Senate bill came over and then that sat for two months before it suddenly passed.
     
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  6. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title] Supporter

    Christa McAuliffe is the only person the public remembers from the loss of Challenger. We lost a second shuttle in 2003 (Columbia) but only "space nerds" like myself can name any single member of the crew. McAuliffe's death was no more or less tragic than the loss of any of the other six and her presence on the crew was simply a public relations move. NASA basically admitted that when they announced there would no more "civilian" (non-astronaut) shuttle crewmembers on future missions. The fact that the commemorative focuses on her tells me (and this is my opinion) that they are simply using her "fame" (for lack of a better word) to sell coins.

    We have long complained on CT and elsewhere that modern commemoratives become more and more stale each year and are often only made to sell to the public to produce revenue (economic gain). I see this as no different.
     
  7. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    I don't think I necessarily agree.

    Yes, we should commemorate all those who've given their lives to get us into space. But McAuliffe did stand out in public perception and public influence. She was the first teacher to launch, and millions of kids were watching the ascent, far more than would watch any other routine Shuttle launch. (It's sad that the launches were seen as routine and boring, and much sadder that we don't have any routine manned launches now, but that's beside the point.)

    As far as teachers, I'm kind of wishing for a Richard Feynman commemorative, but I imagine I'll be waiting for a good long time.
     
  8. willieboyd2

    willieboyd2 First Class Poster

    Or Wernher von Braun?

    I remember him appearing on Walt Disney's television program in the 1950s encouraging kids to study science and space travel.

    :)
     
  9. Evan8

    Evan8 A Little Off Center

    A lot of conspiracy theories about the Challenger. Maybe they are putting her on a commemorative since she might have been the only one to have died...

    A google search about the crew actually being alive brings up some interesting photos.

    Im not a full blown tin foil hat kind of guy, I just find conspiracy theories interesting. Thats all.
     
  10. LA_Geezer

    LA_Geezer Well-Known Member

    Mezak will slab these and sell them for quadruple as soon as they are out. George Carlin once said that people will buy anything, and Mezak boasts that he's been on TV for more than 20 years. There's a connection there.
     
  11. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    I want a Captain Kangaroo and a Mr. Green Jeans commemorative.
     
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  12. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    I'd really like a Three Stooges set. They added so much to our lives.
     
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  13. -jeffB

    -jeffB Greshams LEO Supporter

    Yeah, well, I'm gonna find it really hard to be civil in that kind of discussion. :rage:
     
  14. Jim Dale

    Jim Dale Well-Known Member

    I just read a couple of days ago that they are going to give a commemorative gold medal/coin to the Egyptian leader that was killed by some crazy person. Yes, he did a lot for the people in Egypt and other Middle East citizens, but why is the mine honoring him. They will then, mint copper/bronze or whatever to sell to us, like I care. We don't honor our own people enough. We don't have to mint coins or medals for every law enforcement that is killed in the line of duty. How many of the police, firemen, medal teams have been honored for 9/11 butchering by the Middle East vermin. I love our people in the U.S. I respect all of the men and women that sacrifice their time and lives to help other people. Let's set aside a day to honor them.
     
  15. Santinidollar

    Santinidollar Supporter! Supporter

    More congressional micromanagement of our coinage. Between that and the design committee, we ain’t got a prayer except to leave their swill on the shelf.
     
  16. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic & Eccentric Moderator

    Just a friendly reminder to not let this thread slide too much into politics, please, so we don't have to take it down.
     
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  17. Michael K

    Michael K Well-Known Member

    Congress votes to issue a Christa McAuliffe commemorative

    Because we blew her up with our incompetence and substandard O rings?
    Everyone on that shuttle died.
     
  18. Santinidollar

    Santinidollar Supporter! Supporter

    I wish the other astronauts’ families would raise hell about this.
     
  19. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title] Supporter

    Why...they all knew what they signed up for. The risk is part of the job...everyone who applies knows that and does so willingly. Even Jarvis, who wasn't a true astronaut was well aware of the risk. Perhaps McAuliffe was the least aware...as far as those not involved in the program at the time, the shuttle was "routine and safe."
     
  20. CamaroDMD

    CamaroDMD [Insert Clever Title] Supporter

    That seems unlikely...while von Braun was a brilliant man I believe his "previous employer" probably disqualifies him from such an honor.
     
    Nathan401 likes this.
  21. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    Actually the O rings were not substandard, there were problems with the joint design, and the fact that they shouldn't have launched when the weather was that cold. It resulted in the o rings lacking resiliency. When the joint flexed they were unable to retain their shape quickly enough.

    Regardless of his previous employer, without him our space program would have been greatly delayed.
     
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