In previous posts, I referenced the involvement of the Westchester County (New York) Coin Club ("Club") in making the New Rochelle, NY commemorative half dollar a reality. (See 1938 New Rochelle, NY 250th Anniversary.) I thought folks might enjoy learning a few of the details of its central role...At its November 1935 meeting, the Club discussed New Rochelle's approaching 250th anniversary. Club members supported the holding of a celebration to mark the milestone, but didn't believe asking the city's citizenry to foot the bill was a good plan as the Great Depression was still gripping the US. It decided a commemorative half dollar would be an effective fundraiser and a "source of pride both to the Club and to the City."
Club member Pitt M. Skipton was appointed as a "Committee of One" to pursue the coin and make the appropriate contacts in Congress. It was decided that if Pittman was successful, a new committee would be appointed to "handle the sale and to protect the interests of the small collector first and foremost."
Skipton set about gathering historical background information about New Rochelle, and presented it to Representative Charles Dunsmore Millard (R-NY) and Senator Royal Samuel Copeland (D-NY) - both promised to make every effort to gain approval of the coin. Copeland was the first to take action in Congress, introducing a New Rochelle coin bill in the Senate on January 6, 1936 (just 3 days after the new session of Congress began). Millard introduced his bill in the House of Representatives on January 22, 1936. Though the House bill was the second to be introduced, it was the bill that completed the journey through Congress and ultimately became the Public Law that authorized the half dollar. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the bill into law on May 6, 1936 - a fairly quick turn!
As word of the potential coin spread while the commemorative coin bill worked its way through Congress, Pittman and the Club received a large volume of letters (pre-orders) - many with payment - but all were returned with a note explaining how "they could not be accepted now, no Committee having been appointed, no price set and no coin yet authorized." The return letters promised notification would be sent when/if the coin became available.
Once the coin was authorized, New Rochelle Mayor, Harry Scott, appointed a new Coin Committee to handle all coin matters. He appointed Skipton (elected Chairman), along with Ernest H. Watson (elected Treasurer) and Jere Milleman (elected Secretary). Amy C. Skipton was added to the Committee as Executive Secretary; Amy was the primary author of
One Fatt Calfe. The Mayor was added as the Honorary Chairman.
The Committee organized as the New Rochelle Commemorative Coin Committee on May 14, 1936, and set the issue price of the coin at $2.00 each (plus postage)
1938 New Rochelle, NY 250th Anniversary Half Dollar
Here's a link to Part II - The Design.For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including a number about the New Rochelle, see:
Commems Collection - follow the US Classic link.
Posted 05/19/2024 09:56 am
