Commems Collection Modern: 1995 What If? Citizens Commem Coin Advisory Committee Recommendations

In May 1995, Norman Y. Mineta (D-CA) introduced a bill in the House of Representatives that required "the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the subjects recommended by the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee." Upon its introduction, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Banking and Financial Services, with a subsequent referral to the Banking Committee's Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy.

A quick look at the title of Mineta's bill might lead a reader to assume the intent of the bill was to ensure that the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee (CCCAC) always played a central role in the future course of the modern US commemorative coin series. This was not the core intent of the bill, however.

The bill's Short Title more accurately revealed its true purpose: "United States Commemorative Coins Act of 1995."

The bill called for the striking of six different commemorative coin programs:

1. The Bicentennial of United States Gold Coinage
2. The 50th Anniversary of the Founding of the United Nations and Harry S. Truman's Role
3. The 150th Anniversary of the Smithsonian Institution
4. The opening of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, DC
5. The 125th Anniversary of Yellowstone National Park
6. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC

Note: The CCCAC did support the coin programs included in the bill.

The bill also included language that mandated that the CCCAC review all coin designs. It did not, however, give the CCCAC final authority over design selection or any type of veto power in terms of potential designs. The legislation truly kept the CCCAC in an "advisory" role.

The bill was introduced with eight co-sponsors, and eventually gathered the support of 126 co-sponsors. This level of support was not enough, however, to move the bill to full consideration. It stalled, but was followed by a similar bill later in the same Congress which was authorized, approved and signed into law.

Coins #3 through #6 (above) were ultimately passed via other legislation. Programs #1 and #2 failed to gain approval.

I previously discussed the US Gold Coinage proposal here:

- What If? 1995 US Gold Coinage Bicentennial

(I'm planning a look at the United Nations coin in an upcoming post.)


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more What If? stories, see: Commems Collection.