By David L. Ganz

House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank, D-Mass., abruptly canceled a hearing first slated for Oct. 31, and then Nov. 7, that had been designed to deal with the administration’s attempt to take control from Congress of coinage size, weight, composition and design, and another congressman’s attempt to hijack the cent melting prohibition for a constituent who wanted to melt pennies and send the metal to China.

Opposition mounted from Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Ala., ranking minority member of the full committee, which has charge of all coin and currency matters. The full committee was once known as the Banking and Currency Committee and Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. Special subcommittees used to handle coinage matters and developed an expertise in the field; more recently, the full committee has handled coinage matters as an ancillary or subsidiary function to the main work of the unit.

On Oct. 31, the committee had scheduled a grueling day of hearings on several bills, two of which had numismatic consequences. One was canceled because of Republican opposition led by Bachus; the unit unanimously approved and sent to the House floor four other matters including one coin bill. Read Full Story

Related posts:

1. Coin Rarities & Related Topics: 1943-D copper cent, 1795 Reeded Edge cent, 1811/0 cent, and half cent errors
2. Coin Rarities & Related Topics: 1943-D copper cent, 1795 Reeded Edge cent, 1811/0 cent, and half cent errors
3. A Palace of Gold Is Sold Off For Its Melt Value
4. Testimony at the Cultural Property Advisory Committee Hearing: To Be or Not To Be
5. This 19th Century Cent Coin Design Lasted For Only One Year
6. New Gold Indian Cent Error Coin to be Sold By Heritage at FUN
7. U.S. Mint Opposes Steel Cent Bill
8. The Original Plain Edge Coin – 1797 Half Cent
9. RARE NEW DISCOVERY 1795 REEDED EDGE CENT REALIZES $402,500 IN BALTIMORE
10. 1796 Large Cent Brings $690,000: New Auction Record for a Copper Coin