World War I Centennial Silver Dollar Commemorative Coins Proposed

Legislation requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a silver dollar in remembrance of the centennial of World War I was recently introduced in the House of Representatives. Under the terms of the bill, up to 350,000 commemorative coins would be issued in the year 2017.

The World War I American Veterans Centennial Commemorative Coin Act, H.R. 4107, was brought forward by Rep. Doug Lamborn [R-CO5] on February 29, 2012. The Act seeks to create a silver dollar in collector uncirculated and proof qualities with designs emblematic of the centennial of America’s involvement in World War I. The U.S. Mint has never before issued commemorative World War I coins.

On April 6, 1917, the United States officially declared war against Germany. Subsequently, over four million men and women served in the American armed forces during the War with over two million serving overseas. Fought from 1914 to 1918, estimates place the total death toll to all sides in the ‘war to end all wars’ at over nine million.

The effort to bring about World War I commemorative coins is traced back to ANA Numismatic Educator Rod Gillis. Rep. Doug Lamborn agreed to sponsor the legislation.

"It was really surprising to me that World War I veterans were never honored with their own coin," ANA Numismatic Educator Rod Gillis said. "This legislation will help give these veterans proper recognition."

The ANA is backing the cause, going as far as issuing a news release calling upon its 28,000-plus members to contact their Congressional representative to voice their support.

Struck to the specifications of other modern commemorative coins, each silver dollar would have a composition of 90% silver and 10% copper with a diameter of 1.5 inches. Unlike the standard process used in bringing about a coin’s final designs, the legislation requests that a public competition be held. The winner of the design competition would be selected by an expert jury chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury and of three members from the CCAC.

Additional requirements stipulate that a surcharge of $10 would be collected on the sale of every silver dollar. This surcharge would be paid to the World War I Memorial Foundation (www.wwimemorial.org). According to the stated mission of the foundation, its purpose is to advocate and raise funds for the restoration and re-dedication of the DC War Memorial as a national World War I Memorial.

The foundation was established following a visit by Frank Buckles, the last surviving American World War I veteran, who visited the District of Columbia War Memorial on the National Mall in March 2008. He noted the memorial was in disrepair and that no national memorial had ever been dedicated to those who served in World War I.

In order for the proposed legislation to become law, it must pass both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate as well as get signed by the President. The World War I American Veterans Centennial Commemorative Coin Act currently has 5 cosponsors and has been referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.