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Message:: [QUOTE="leeg, post: 3522274, member: 17073"]Photobucket has been down all weekend. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie20" alt=":banghead:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />   “A bill to authorize the coinage of 500,000 special 50-cent pieces in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of Los Angeles, Cal., was introduced in the Senate on January 27 by Senator Shortridge, of California. In view of the attitude of the present Administration it is doubtful if this bill will be passed. It is hoped, however, that if such is the case the committee in charge will see that authorization is obtained for a medal to be struck at the mint at commemorate this interesting event in Pacific Coast history. Harvey L. Hansen   The reverse design to show in the center of the field the coat of arms of a state; beneath in small letters the name of the state. Around this coat of arms to be a partial circle of nineteen stars, to represent the states of which the Union was composed in 1812 - namely, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, and Missouri.  Around the border to be inscribed, ‘1812 NINETEEN STATES.  1912 FORTY-EIGHT STATES.’  In the edge of the coin, in incused, or sunken, letters, to be ‘HUNDRED CENTS, ONE DOLLAR, OR UNIT’ as borne by the first coin of the denomination issued at the United States Mint in 1794.   That all of these commemorative dollars be struck from common United States obverse, as above described, to be combined with the same reverse design, but bearing in the center the coat of arms of the various states of the Union at the present time, after the style of the illustrations, which show those of New York and California.   The issue of a commemorative dollar coin is thought to be worthy of consideration for a number of reasons.  One of these is that since 1894 this Government has ceased to coin a metallic representation of its currency unit, as the silver dollar was abandoned in the year, while in 1889 the coinage of the gold dollar was stopped.   It is felt that the issue of this coin along the suggested lines will have an educational value, as it will show the exact number of states now in the Union, a matter upon which a great many of our citizens are not correctly informed, and also will show the coat of arms of each state, which surely will be a matter of interest for nearly all generations of our citizens.   It is thought that the issue of this dollar will not entail any considerable expense, and indeed there may be even a margin of profit. Undoubtedly there will be orders for a vast umber of these coins, and the seigniorage alone will probably warrant the issue.   It is recommended that the size, weight, and general coinage features of the silver dollar of 1894 be applied to the striking of this commemorative dollar, and that all provisions of law relative to the coinage, legal tender quality, and redemption of the silver coins of the United States be made applicable to the commemorative piece.   It is also suggested that in order to permit these commemorative dollars to reach every part of the United States, that, when ordered in sums of $500 or more, the charge for transportation be borne by the Government.   Also that a least 1,000,000 of these pieces be struck, and that a sufficient number of silver dollars be withdrawn from the United States Treasury and recoined for this purpose. And also that the issue be increased if found advisable.   That the United States Mint authorities be authorized to strike a number of pieces from the dies bearing each state’s coat of arms in proof to meet the demands of collectors for cabinet specimens, and that the cost of these specimens be regulated by the rules at present governing the striking and sale by the Government of similar pieces, and that the commemorative dollar be struck at the parent and all branch United States Mints.”27 27 The Numismatist, Los Angeles Tries For Special Half Dollar. March 1931, p. 198.   “A Bill to authorize the coinage of 50-cent pieces in connection with the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the opening of the Tri-State Territory of east Texas, north Louisiana, and south Arkansas by captain Henry Miller Shreve, to be held in Shreveport, Louisiana, and surrounding territory, in 1935 and 1936.   The bill requested no more than 50,000 pieces and issued only at the request of The Shreveport Centennial, Incorporated, or it’s duly authorized agent.  Proceeds of the sale of coins shall be used in furtherance of the projects of the Shreveport Centennial, Incorporated.   A So Called Dollar, HK692, was issued.”28 28 The Numismatist, More Commemorative Half Dollars in Sight. July, 1935.   “Senator Caraway has introduced an amendment to the bill authorizing a change in the design of the Texas half dollar which would permit coins with five different reverses. Mrs. Caraway’s amendment would permit the striking of coins for the Arkansas Centennial with three different reverses.   A bill is also under consideration in the Senate to coin 50-cent pieces in commemoration of the outstanding public services of William Henry Harrison. The bill provides for an issue of 500,000 coins, to be issued upon the recommendation of the William Henry Harrison memorial Association of Indiana.”29 29 The Numismatist, Texas Half Dollar; Amendment to Bill. April, 1936, p. 267. “Bills have been introduced to authorize the following silver half dollars:   Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania: To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. 25,000 pieces.   Washington: To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Waillatpu Mission, Walla Walla Valley, Washington. 25,000 pieces   But that's only half of the story. A look through issues of The Numismatist for 1936 gives a frightening view of what might have happened in the future if all of the laws submitted for commemorative coins had been approved. Those that didn't make it included:   A bill for a half dollar honoring the 50th anniversary of the founding of borough of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania.   A bill for a half dollar for the 150th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of United States.   A bill for a half dollar to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the journey and explorations of Francisco Vasquez de Coronado.   A bill for a half dollar for the founding of the International Peace Garden at the international boundary line between the United States and Canada, in the Turtle Mountains of North Dakota and Manitoba.   A bill for a half dollar for the 160th anniversary of the arrival of General George Washington and the Continental Army at Morristown, New Jersey, after their inspiring victories at Trenton and Princeton, and the establishment of cantonments in Morristown for the duration of the war.   A bill for a half dollar for the World's Fair to be held in New York City in 1939 in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the inauguration of the first President of the United States of America and of the establishment of the Federal Government in the city of New York.   A bill for a half dollar in commemoration of the memory of the late Dr. Charles P. Steinmetz.   A bill for a half dollar for the 300th anniversary of the founding of Hartford, Connecticut.   A bill for a half dollar for 100th anniversary of admission of Michigan into the Union.   Two other measures—one for a Tri-State (Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas) half dollar and another for a half dollar for 100th anniversary of the arrival of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman in the Walla Walla, Washington area, and founding of the Waiilatpu Mission—were changed to medals instead of coins.”30 30 The Coin Collectors Journal, Commemorative Half Dollars. April, 1936, p. 11.[/QUOTE]

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