Commems Collection Modern: What If? 1978 Martin Luther King, Jr. - Medal

I recently posted about the unsuccessful attemps to secure one or more commemorative coins in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (See it here: What If? 2003 Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr at Press Conference - Circa 1964

(Image Credit: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Public Domain.)

This time out, I wanted to talk about an attempt to gain approval for a commemorative medal to pay tribute to King's "life and ideals" that took place more than two decades before. Proceeds from sale of the medals were to support the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Social Change (Atlanta, Georgia).

The medal bill was introduced by Walter Edward Fauntroy (D-DC) in July 1978. Upon its introduction, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs; Fauntroy was the Chairman of the Committee at the time. It called for the striking of 104,000 medals of bronze, silver and/or gold.

The Committee held a Hearing on the medal in August 1978. In attendance to support the King bill were Stella B. Hackel, Director, US Mint, Coretta Scott, President of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Social Change, Grover C. Criswell, President, American Numismatic Association ( ANA) and David Ganz, ANA Legislative Counsel.

Hackel indicated that the Mint supported the medal and would not have any issues with striking it: "we strongly endorse the concept of honoring the late Reverend King, a great American, with a national medal for that purpose...I can assure you, Mr. Chairman, that if this proposal is passed, we will move promptly and very happily to design and produce the medals."

Hackel then recommended the expiration date for the sale of the medals be extended from December 1979 to December 1980 to give the Mint adequate time to finalize a design, prepare the dies and produce the medals.

Next to testify before the Committee was Coretta Scott King, wife of the late MLK. She offered:

"I guess I come this morning with some mixed emotions because always when there are recognitions that come for the work that Martin Luther King, Jr., did, that recognize the magnitude of his contribution to this country and even to the world, because I shared that commitment and the dream I always feel some mixed emotions, naturally, because he is not here to fully appreciate it. At the same time, Martin did not rest on laurels. There is so much work to be done that he, if he were here, he would be continuing to carry on that work. So I want to thank you for inviting me here for this purpose."

[...]

"The striking of these medals in honor of Dr. King by the United States Treasury would symbolically serve to demonstrate our continuing commitment to the democratic process and human rights for which Martin Luther King, Jr., lived and died.

"Should you enact this bill, proceeds from the sale of the medals authorized by this legislation would be used for the construction of Freedom Hall, as the centerpiece of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for Social Change."

"Freedom Hall will be a living, working legacy, dramatically highlighting the principles of Dr. King, extending to succeeding generations in appreciation of his contributions."

Mrs. King also discussed the fundraising effort that was to be launched in September 1978 to support construction of Freedom Hall (the fundraising committee was to be headed by Henry Ford - Ford Motor Company) and how "The sale of the Martin Luther King, Jr., national medal...would enable tens of thousands of Americans of modest means to make a contribution to the building of Freedom Hall at the same time that they secure a beautiful national medal in his honor."

After several Committee members voiced their admiration for Dr. King and their support for the medal bill, Grover Criswell, ANA President was called to make a statement. Criswell was quick to state the ANA's support for Dr. King and the striking of a medal in his honor:

"...we of the American Numismatic Association want to go on record as stating that his [King's] awakening of the social conscience of America deserves more than leaving his posterity to history books. We believe that he should be honored with a national mint medal which will enable the proceeds to be used by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Social Change."

Criswell then remarked that the medal bill's call for 104,000 medals "will only begin to scratch the surface of Americans who truly benefited directly from the works of Dr. King." Because of this, Criswell suggested that after authorization for the medal's striking expires, the Mint be allowed to continue to offer the pieces as a List Medal, making it available as a small bronze piece (referred to a "Mini-medal" at the time) and offered an amendment to the medal bill to such effect; the amendment was prepared by David Ganz.

Criswell also offered: "serious thought should be given to an entire series of national medals to honor black Americans. We.believe that the King medal could be the flagship of such a series."

After Criswell's statement, a discussion about the "Mini-Medal" ensued. Chairman Fauntroy asked Silvia Hackel for her thoughts and she replied:

"The U.S. Mint first heard of this proposal within the last few moments . We have not had time to consider it.

"I might point out, however, it would appear on the surface that such a proposal would affect the marketing effort of the Martin Luther King, Jr. , Center for Social Change, and might compete in that respect. We on the face of it think that is a consideration that the subcommittee might have in mind.

"Chairman FAUNTROY . In short, people might say just wait?

"Mrs. HACKEL . It would appear on the face of it. But of course we have not yet studied the proposal and I cannot take the position on that at this time."

Criswell, when given the opportunity, voiced his opinion that the Mint's "Mini-Medal" served a different clientele and would not have a negative impact on sales of the Center's medal. While Criswell's suggestion was not without some support on the Committee, it did not ultimately gain enough traction to cause Fauntroy's original medal bill to be amended to give the Mint such ongoing authority.

Before adjourning, the Committee discussed with Hackel and Criswell the number of medals requested by the bill - 104,000. Fauntroy suggested an authorization for 500,000 medals might be more appropriate, Criswell supported the change and Hackel indicated that the Mint could easily strike the larger number.

When it favorably reported on the bill, the Committee recommended changing the mintage limit to 500,000 and to change the termination date for authority to December 1981 (a year beyond Hackel's suggestion of 1980).

After the Committee delivered its favorable Report, Fauntroy brought the bill up for consideration in the House. The objectives of the medal bill were supported in the House, and the bill - incorporating the amendments suggested by the Committee - was soon passed and sent to the Senate. In the Senate, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; the bill was not reported by this Committee and ultimately die for lack of action.

The Center is today known as The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change ("The King Center"). You can learn more about it here: https://www.thekingcenter.org/ Regarding the construction of "Freedom Hall" - it moved forward without the fundraising medal and was completed. Today, it serves as a space for historical exhibits regarding the Civil Rights Movement and MLK's life and legacy.


In addition to the early 2000s efforts to secure a Martin Luther King, Jr. commemorative coin (see link above), I've previously posted about similar efforts in 1968. For more, see: What If? 1968 Martin Luther King, Jr..


For more of my topics on commemorative coins and medals, including other Modern US Commemorative stories, see: Commems Collection.