Q. David Bowers
After popular competition by our sculptor-medallists for the honorarium, the peace coin should be represented in the selecting committee. Official barriers against artists having a fair chance for justice to their art on our coins have been burned away. Theodore Roosevelt applied their match; time has completed the burning. For the first time we may now hope for official cooperation for the ideal so far as practical.
Our peace coin should be one of good size for best art effects, and if it be one for popular use by all the people, the half dollar is naturally suggested and would probably be a common choice. But, should we resume the coinage of the silver dollar, that coin should be a consideration.
We melted our silver dollars, over 250 million of them, to aid our allies in the war, under an act of Congress that provides for their replacement. Silver is now being purchased for the purpose and will continue to be purchased so long as the price of silver will permit, 207 million ounces being required. Some have reasoned that there will be additional legislation and the silver dollar will be restored to "circulation" as of old by its representative paper certificate, but instead of being "backed" by coin, silver bullion in the form of "fine" bars will be held for certificate redemption. True, the silver dollar is not a popular coin except with a fraction of our population; but that fraction, small though it is, covers vast territory and knows how to make a big noise. In addition to this, the silver producer and the "friends of silver," if any survive outside of Chautauqua, are going to make a considerable protest if there by any tinkering with keeping the provision to restore the 'heavy rounds."
Figures will show that there is [sic] far more than enough silver dollars "in circulation" for all needs. The best figures to lie the most and longest are those of our government as to the kind and quantity of money "in circulation." There is no way of ascertaining why part of the money outstanding really exists. Circulation reports are only the difference between what has been issued and what has been redeemed. If there is any quantity of good-condition silver dollars existing today, they must be held by the Treasury if the information I have is correct. Observation and reports from where they are preferred to other coin show those now in circulation are approaching that state of condition now obsolete in print, "somewhat below poor but all holes removed."
Many will argue that we have no need for a silver dollar. I was one of them. I now know that the miner, the plainsman and the woodman of the West like the "bucks" best; and the cotton planter in the South says he can get more and better help if he pays in "heavy money."
I do not want to be misunderstood as favoring the silver dollar for the peace coin, but if coinage of silver dollars is to be resumed in the immediate future, a new design is probable and desirable, bullion for the purpose is being provided, law for the coinage exists and limitation of the quantity is fixed=all factors that help pave the way for peace coin advocates. And then-we gave our silver dollars to help win the war, we restore them in commemoration of victory and peace.
It was a Chicago event that led the way for our first commemorative coin-the Columbian half dollar. Won't you take advantage of another Chicago event, this convention, to lead the way for our first special coin for general circulation?
In my judgment the stage is set with the "props" just right for a great numismatic spectacle with the ANA as "lead" to be presented to the greatest audience ever. Have the peace coin press agent get busy. Send me today's Chicago paper with the evidence.
Dr. Henderson: "I move the paper be received and referred to the Resolutions Committee." (Motion seconded).
Mr. S.H. Chapman: "The recommendation, it seems to me, is a splendid thing for us to endorse, and I strongly urge its adoption. The coining of a commemorative peace coin is something that would be of great interest, but until we have actual peace, it seems we cannot do it. As to whether it would be premature to pass a resolution pending the adoption of the peace treaty, there is some doubt in my mind on the subject. Under the present circumstances, we are still at war, and I think the introduction to declare peace with Germany has been the most stupid thing I ever heard of. We don't need any legislation to declare yourself at peace; we are the victor, and to declare ourselves with an enemy without obtaining from him a Peace contract to guarantee that he will not do what he did, to my mind is a most ridiculous situation, without some recognition of his obligation to recompense us for our loss, and, if necessary, all other allies. It is absolutely absurd."
President Moore: "I think the Committee on Resolutions will understand that matter."
Dr. Henderson: "I think you can safely say this, that there is seriously being considered in Washington the resumption of the coinage of the silver dollar. That is really practically decided upon. Now, whether it is to be a new design or the old design is a question on which I have no information. My presumption, from what I learned, is they are considering the coinage of a silver dollar of the old design, and we, who are interested in this, haven't any time to lose. I think we should take some action authorizing a committee of the Association to take this matter up and bring such influence to bear as it is possible. Personally, I would favor the coinage of a half dollar, more so than 1 would the dollar."
Mr. S.H. Chapman: "If they can change the design they certainly should do it, for the last design is not artistic in the least."
Mr. Leon: "You say they cannot change the design?" President Moore: "You cannot change the regular coinage."
Dr. Henderson: "My object in making this motion to refer this paper to the Committee on Resolutions is to allow them to give the matter some consideration and bring back a report to the Convention, recommending some action on the part of this Association, and a little more serious consideration be given of it in open meeting. In the meantime, the Committee would be glad to have any suggestions, because I know I haven't anything definite to offer, and the Resolutions Committee would be glad to have any of the members suggest anything in this connection which might occur to them."
President Moore: "If anyone, as the doctor says, has anything to recommend to the Committee on Resolutions, we wish you would get busy. That committee consists of Messrs. Henderson, Sears, and Shumway. You have heard the motion that this matter be referred to the Committee on Resolutions; the motion also has been seconded. What is your pleasure?"
Mr. Wormser: "May 1 say just one word on the subject? I think Mr. Zerbe's recommendation is a splendid one. The fact that we havenot concluded peace in a formal way yet does not alter the actual facts. For the purposes of trade relations, we are at peace with Germany, although we have not formerly concluded peace. Mr. Zerbe really recommends a combination of victory and peace coin. We had victory stamps long ago; and, just as has been brought out in the discussion here, this is a time, if there is to be any change in design, to have that change made in the dollar, because that is the only coin that is open for change. Instead of having the new design of Liberty, we could just as well have the new design of Peace on the new coin, because our aim in world affairs is to bring about universal peace. The idea is very appropriate, and, possibly instead of leaving it to the general Committee on Resolutions, it might be better to have a Special Resolutions Committee. Mr. Zerbe also seems to recommend that we ought to start a campaign right here now in Chicago. Chicago issued the first commemorative United States coin, so why not get busy at once?"
President Moore: "There is a motion before the Convention that this matter be turned over to the Committee on Resolutions for further action." (Motion carried).
ANA Resolutions (August 1920)
The Numismatist, October 1920, printed this report of the ANA Committee of Resolutions given the preceding August:
Dr. Henderson: We, the members of the American Numismatic Association, in Convention assembled, hereby resolve:
It is our conviction that when peace is declared between the United States of America and all her enemies the proper government officiary should cause to be struck and issued a commemorative peace coin of suitable design, type and size, and legal tender for commercial circulation, and we suggest that the coin be of silver and of dollar size.
Resolved further, That the president of the American Numismatic Association appoint a committee to cooperate with the government officiary to secure the issue of such a coin and to aid in the selection of design and size ....
President Moore: "You have heard the report of the Committee on Resolutions. What is your pleasure?"
Mr. Jenkins "I move that the report be received and the resolutions adopted."
Mr. Leon: "I second that motion." (Motion carried).
ANA Appoints Committee (August 1920) The Numismatist, October 1920, told of the ANA Committee on Souvenir Peace-Victory Coin authorized at the August convention:
President Moore of the ANA announces the appointment of the following committee, authorized by the Chicago Convention, to cooperate with the government officials to secure the issue of a Peace-Victory coin, and to aid in the selection of a design and size of the coin: Judson Brenner, Youngstown, Ohio, chairman; Dr. J.M. Henderson, Columbus, Ohio; Howland Wood, curator of the American Numismatic Society, New York City; Farran Zerbe, San Francisco, California and Hon. W.A. Ashbrook, member of the House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.