HARVEY STACK ON THE 50 STATE QUARTER SERIES

I personally approached Representative Jimmy Hayes, who was a client and close friend of ours. He was aware of the plight created by the Mint, for not only did he hear it from dealers like myself, but collectors he met or knew at conventions.

Jimmy remarked that "you professionals need to tell Congress about this. It is hard for me to do it directly, but since I know and have worked with Michael Castle, the representative from Delaware who is currently head of the House Finance and Banking Committee, I think I can ask Michael to convene a hearing, invite professionals like yourself to testify and see if there may be a way to resolve this problem.

Well, it happened. Michael Castle convened a House Meeting, invited some dealers including myself, as well as representatives from some Numismatic Museums, author David Ganz, and of course the then Director of the Mint Philip Deihl to testify.

A few went before me at the hearing, mostly trying to outline the history of coins, how and why some were issued and it was a good background about the hobby. When I was asked to speak I went through explaining (which is in the Congressional Record of the Hearing) the abuses and losses that the public had sustained by the basic "profiteering" by the Mint.

When Philip Deihl testified he talked of the costs the Mint sustained in designing and promoting the coins, and since all legislation that authorized the special commemorative issues, did reflect that the cost could be considered in the price to recover the expense, and some arbitrary profit could be added on. That is what he told the Committee.

Michael Castle was a warm hearted Congressman, called for a break for lunch and to return that afternoon to finish all the testimonies. When we reconvened, Michael Castle as Chairman, led the question period to get more information.

Again, those who went before me, though great academic scholars, had only basic academic suggestions.

Then came my turn. Representative Castle looked down from high desk that the committee sat at and asked me, "Mr, Stack, you are here as a professional Numismatist, who has to deal with the public on a daily basis - HOW WOULD YOU SUGGEST A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM ?"

I stood up, and first suggested that not everyone collects for the idea of "preserving capital" or making "an investment". Many collectors do so for the "pride of possession." Many started out trying to find out how many different dates and mints they could find in their daily change. Many collected as a plain hobby and fun.

Then I continued. "If many look at their change for the "seek and find" games they do themselves, or maybe some members of their family do the same, and they encourage them to "look and you may find" then maybe the idea I have nurtured might be one of the answers to the questions you and other committee members asked."

I said, "we have an opportunity to teach our young folks as well as seniors that collecting coins might be educational and instructive, and broaden the information that our money can give them. In 1976 Congress authorized a Commemorative Quarter, commemorating our Bicentennial year as a nation. The quarter was readily found in the daily change about the country, and reminded many that we have existed for two full centuries. It was a patriotic reminder. And from the educational side, it alerted many of a fact they might have forgotten. It was a great idea of Congress!"

I then continued, "what do you think of continuing the quarter as the messenger about all of the states in the union? How about, in as many years that your committee and the mint think it is practical, strike a quarter that will show on it the name of the state, maybe its capital and in the design either some product they are known for, or some statue or building, show the date Of when each joined the union, starting of course with those that first signed our constitution, and therefore Be an excellent reminder of our history and also a piece of money that could either be spent, or saved for others to learn from?

All the members of the committee seemed to smile at the idea, each thought of commemorating their OWN state, and how well it would be received by their constituents.

As I was about to sit down, Mike Castle, with a twinkle in his eye, and what seemed to be a great inflation of his chest, said to me, "Mr. Stack, I think that your idea is a great one, as do most of my committee up here with me, AND PLEASE REMEMBER, SIR, THAT THE STATE OF DELAWARE WAS THE FIRST TO SIGN THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION, and as your plan suggested, the State of Delaware will be the FIRST DESIGN AND ISSUE for a STATEHOOD QUARTER HONORING ALL THE STATES IN THE UNION."

The others who testified expressed their endorsement of the concept, and David Ganz then expressed his favorable Law Opinion of the idea, and even Director Diehl, realized that the idea was one that could help revive public interest in the history of America, and be a great teacher of some basic facts about our wonderful Union.

The rest is history. Starting in 1999 we issued a CIRCULATING QUARTER AT FACE VALUE, and so until we commemorated all our 50 States and possessions.

I wrote this once more, to try to help those who do not know how the STATEHOOD QUARTER WAS BORN, and try to explain, when you offer the public some idea that is different you can be successful in trying to expand the hobby. That is what I learned as a youngster, from my father and uncle who trained me that to collect, one must have a desire to have and hold what they save, and encourage others to collect, like our numismatic forefathers did.

To me, today's professionals need to try to further understand what can make a collector, and nourish that idea when you serve them.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
THE 50 STATE QUARTERS PROGRAM (http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n35a21.html)

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