Commems Collection Classic: What If? 1936 Tri-State Territory - Revisit

Just a quick revisit to provide some additional detail on a medal authorized by the US Congress but not struck by the US Mint (or any other mint).

I introduced the potential Tri-State Territory commemorative half dollar as part of my "What If?" series, you can read it here: What If? 1936 Tri-State Territory.

In that post, I mentioned how the Senate amended (via substitution) the House of Representative's coin bill with a medal bill. In addition to replacing the proposed commemorative half dollar with a commemorative medal, the Senate also changed the focus of the commemorative proposal.

Let's have a look at each bill's Title and Purpose:

House Version

TITLE: "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."

PURPOSE: "to indicate the interest of the Government of the United States in the fulfillment of the ideals and purposes of the celebration commemorating the achievements of Captain Henry Miller Shreve."

My impression of the above is that the coin was to focus on Captain Henry Miller Shreve and, generally, his efforts in connection with the opening of the tri-State Territory.

Comparing with the Senate's approach:

Senate Version

TITLE: "To authorize the striking of an appropriate medal in commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of the founding of the city of Shreveport, Louisiana, and the opening of the Red River of the West to navigation."

PURPOSE: "in commemoration of the one-hundredth anniversary of the founding of the city of Shreveport, Louisiana, and of the opening to navigation of the Red River of the West by the United States Government, resulting in the development of the tri-State territory of North Louisiana, east Texas, and southwest Arkansas."

The stated "purpose" of the Senate bill is more focused, specifically, on the centennial of Shreveport's founding and the opening of the Red River's navigation vs. the 100th Anniversary of the general Tri-State Territory (though it must be acknowledged that the improved river navigation is inextricably linked to the development of the Tri-State Territory.).

Bottom line for me? I think the language of the Senate bill would have led to different design choices vs. the House bill - possibly more of a City of Shreveport theme on the medal vs. a river navigation theme on the coin. In either case, however, I can envision one side of either piece depicting Captain Shreve!


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