Feb 1, 2009 | coins, legislative
Since Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) introduced H.R. 255, NASA 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act, there has been two more coin-related bills introduced in congress.
Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA) introduced H.R. 406, Alice Paul Women&rsqou;s Suffrage Congressional Gold Medal Act. The bill authorizes “The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on behalf of the Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design in commemoration of Alice Paul, in recognition of her role in the women’s suffrage movement and in advancing equal rights for women.” The US Mint would be authorized to “sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal.”
The other bill, H.R. 621, Girl Scouts USA Centennial Commemorative Coin Act, was introduced by Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA). It calls for the minting of $1 silver uncirculated and proof coins “in commemoration of the centennial of the Girl Scouts of the USA” in 2011.
All three bills have been referred to the House Financial Services Committee. With the current fiscal crisis, they may be be on hold in that committee for a while.
Jan 16, 2009 | coins, commemorative, legislative
One day after the convening of the 111th Congress, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) introduced H. R. 255, NASA 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act even though NASA’s 50th Anniversary was in 2008. The bill was referred to the House Financial Services Committee.
Since a similar bill introduced in the second session of the 110th congress did not pass, Rep. Jackson Lee introduced it for consideration in the new congress. Currently, the bill has two co-sponsors and may not have the support to pass in NASA’s 51st year.
This is the first coin bill of the 111th congress. I am sure that there are more to come!
Dec 26, 2008 | ANA, legislative, quarter
Over the last few days, I have not read many complementary reviews about the America’s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008, now Public Law Number 110-456 (GPO: Text, PDF). Not only did I write about earlier this week, but Susan Headley at About.com wrote about how many of her readers did not like the concept.
So where was the ANA? The American Numismatic Association has been representing the collector community in all matters numismatic. The ANA was instrumental in convincing congress to create the 50 State Quarters Program. The ANA does talk with congressional leaders about numismatic issues. But with very few positive things being said about what is now law, why did the ANA not say anything this time?
I am sure there will be excuse that between the holidays and that the recent burglaries of dealers that included the firm owned by ANA President Barry Stuppler may have diverted some attention from this bill. But there are others in the ANA who could be asked to speak on the community’s behalf.
One person who could have spoken on behalf of the membership is David Ganz. Ganz is a former president of the ANA, numismatic author, lawyer, and politician who worked with the ANA to lobby congress for the 50 State Quarter Program. Ganz could have spoken with Rep. Michael Castle (R-DE) and said that this is not the area to spend political capital. Rather, the Ganz could have offered to bring the idea to the ANA to allow the members to come up with fresh ideas.
When the National Parks quarters fail to capture the public attention like the 50 State Quarters, I believe the collector community will be blamed for not “being on board,” even though we were not consulted. The community will lose credibility in a manner similar to the coin shortage of the 1960’s and it will take a few years before congress will listen to the ANA again on coinage matters. It could have been avoided if the ANA would have spoken to Castle and expressed concerns when the bill was announced last June, long before the holidays!
If it is the job of the ANA to protect the hobby, the ANA failed at its job.
Dec 23, 2008 | legislative, quarter
Apparently, I an not the only one who would like to see the president veto the recently passed H.R. 6184, America’s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008. Eric Lurio, blogger at The Huffington Post, also thinks this is a bad idea.
Lurio, who admits to purchasing annual sets, compares the excessive coin issues to the excessive stamp issues that helped kill philatelics. “The thing that destroyed philately was too much product,” writes Lurio. “Back in the day you’d have at most ten to fifteen commemoratives and some “regular” issues with weird denominations. That was cheap. It was fun. Not any more it’s not. There are fifty commemoratives, all expensive.”
Readers have sent quite a few private messages admitting to what I called “collector fatique.” Someone also suggested that congress has “Jumped the Shark” with this measure.
Today is the tenth day (not including Sundays) since the bill has been received by the president. Although the Senate will convene for a pro forma session—a session just to say congress was in session—the president could still not sign the bill today. With no session scheduled for tomorrow, it is possible that the result will be a pocket veto.
“Coins are a medium of exchange, not advertising. Sure the designs should be pleasing, if not beautiful, but don’t do tourist traps,” concludes Lurio, “It’s just not right.”
I cannot imagine what Teddy Roosevelt would say about this!
Dec 16, 2008 | coins, legislative, state quarters
In case you missed, I know I did, the Senate passed H.R. 6184, America’s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008 by unanimous consent. The bill calls for circulating quarters “that are emblematic of a national park or other national site in each State, the District of Columbia, and each territory of the United States.” The bill has been sent to the president for his signature, which is likely.
H.R. 6184 was introduced by Rep. Michael Castle [R-DE] who introduced the “The 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act” [Public Law 105-124]. Rather than honor states, this bill honors national parks or other historical site in each state. And this bill already included the District of Columbia and the insular territories.
I wrote it before: ENOUGH!
While I doubt the president will veto this bill, having another state-related quarter program is just too much. There is real chance for collector fatigue, especially during a stressed economy. I think it is the wrong time for this program.
The program will run from 2010 through 2018, two years longer than the projected duration for the Presidential $1 Coins.
Dec 1, 2008 | commemorative, legislative
Today, the White House announced that President Bush signed H.R. 5714, the “United States Army Commemorative Coin Act of 2008,” now Public Law Number 110-450 [text or PDF]. The bill calls for 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 clad half-dollars commemoratives in 2011 to recognize the founding of the United States Army in 1775. “The design of the coins minted under this Act shall be emblematic of the traditions, history, and heritage of the United States Army, and its role in American society from the Colonial period to today.”
Proceeds from the surcharges will go to the financing of the National Museum of the United States Army.
Nov 19, 2008 | commemorative, legislative
It appears that the lame duck session of congress will do what it can to clean up some unfinished business. As part of this spirit, the Senate picked up H.R. 5714, United States Army Commemorative Coin Act of 2008, from the hopper as sent from the House and passed it by unanimous consent.
The bill calls $5 gold coins with a limit of 100,000 minted, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 clad half-dollars commemoratives in 2011 to recognize the founding of the United States Army in 1775. “The design of the coins minted under this Act shall be emblematic of the traditions, history, and heritage of the United States Army, and its role in American society from the Colonial period to today.”
Once the bill is engrossed it will be sent to the president for his expected signature.
Nov 4, 2008 | BEP, coins, legislative, US Mint
Citizens of the United States wake up this morning to what some has called the most exciting and exhausting election season since Dewy did not beat Truman. It also has to be the longest campaign after having started the day after the 2006 midterm election by our over-active press.
Numismatically, there should be few changes if any. Although there is a lot of passion for the presidential candidates, the only influence the president may have is the appointment of the directors of the US Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Otherwise, congress must past the laws to command the US Mint to do its job. The president can veto any law, but is rarely done with numismatic bills.
Although most of the action is in congress, there is not much to watch from a numismatic perspective. Polls show that the Democrats will maintain control of Congress and possibly increase their lead. It is likely that the leadership will probably remain in place for the 111th Congress including Barney Frank (D-MA), Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, the committee responsible for numismatic laws.
Analysts suggest that Frank will win his 15th election and return to the House as chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. Numismatically, this means that the run the committee adopted that any commemorative coin bill must have 250 co-sponsors before it would be considered.
In other races, Virgil Goode (R-VA) is in a very tight race. Goode was eventually credited with inserting a measure in an omnibus budget act to move the motto “IN G-D WE TRUST” from the edge to the front of both dollar coins.
For those hoping that the new congress will eliminate the paper dollar, the 111th congress may not be your answer. With the exception of the retiring Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), most of the Washington, DC area representatives in Maryland and Virginia will be returning to their seats the House meaning that there will continue to be local political incentives force the BEP to continue with printing $1 Federal Reserve Note.
Since this election does not matter numismatically, you may want to consider such “minor” issues such as the economy, healthcare, or international policy. But whomever you chose, VOTE!
Vote Early and Often!
Oct 10, 2008 | commemorative, legislative
To give commemorative collectors little good news, President Bush signed H.R. 3229, National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Act, and H.R. 5872, Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act, into law today as Public Law 110-357 and P.L. 363, respectively.
The Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Act will begin in 2010 to honor the 100th anniversary of the founding of scouting in the United States. National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Act is scheduled for 2012. Read my previous article, Infantry and Boy Scouts, for more information about these commemoratives.
Oct 4, 2008 | coins, commemorative, legislative
The House of Representatives passed the “Stimulus Package” yesterday, and went into their “clean up” mode. As part of that exercise, the house passed H.R. 5714, their version of the United States Army Commemorative Coin Act of 2008. This came one day after the Senate passed S. 2579.
Before the bill was passed, one amendment was offered. Although the text of the amendment was not available at the time I write this, it may have been offered to synchronize this bill with its Senate ounterpart. In these cases, a conference committee will pick one bill and send it back to both chambers for an up or down vote. This will probably be done during the lame duck session that follows the election.
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