Mother’s Day Silver Dollar Coin Legislation Introduced

Americans all across the nation have been thinking about their mothers last week in anticipation of Mother’s Day today, and some United States legislatures are no exception.

Introduced by members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate is a bill authorizing the United States Mint to strike up to 400,000 Mother’s Day Centennial Silver Dollars in 2014. The commemorative coins would be produced in both proof and uncirculated qualities to mark the 100th anniversary of the first national Mother’s Day held in the United States.

That official holiday was declared by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914 after being promoted for several years by West Virginia native Anna Jarvis. Jarvis sought to fulfill her recently deceased mother’s ambition of creating a day celebrating the important contributions that all mothers have made.

In both honoring the now traditional holiday as well as acknowledging the person who helped to establish it, Representative David B. McKinley (1st District of West Virginia) had these comments after introducing H.R. 1736, titled the Mother’s Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act, in the House of Representatives on May 5, 2011:

"The modern day celebration of Mother’s Day began right here with the efforts of a native West Virginian, Anna Jarvis, who wanted to show her love and dedication to her recently deceased mother," stated Representative McKinley in a statement after introducing the legislation." That beautiful show of appreciation is moving even today. Mother’s Day is a time-honored tradition for our state and our country. I am so pleased to honor Mother’s Day with a Mother’s Day Centennial Commemorative Coin."

That same day, Senator Jay Rockefeller (from West Virginia as well) introduced bill S.889 in the United States Senate. Also entitled the Mother’s Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act, the coin legislation seeks the same silver dollar. Rockefeller had these comments:

"During good times and in bad, mothers comfort, provide for, and teach," commented Senator Rockefeller in a statement. "This legislation is a tribute to them — here in West Virginia and across the nation. One hundred years after the first recognition in West Virginia, I believe this is the right way to honor mothers — while also supporting life-saving women’s health research."

Rockefeller’s statement hints at a by-product of the proposed silver dollar coins. Surcharges would be collected on the sale of each strike with those raised funds split between Susan G. Komen for the Cure (http://ww5.komen.org/) and National Osteoporosis Foundation (http://www.nof.org/). Komen for the Cure raises money for breast cancer research and the Osteoporosis Foundation is a voluntary organization dedicated to osteoporosis and bone health.

The proposed House bill has been referred to the House Financial Services Committee with the Senate version directed to the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs committee.

Check out this site’s silver coins page for more information on current and past silver commemorative coins produced by the United States Mint.