 When a direct appropriation met congressional opposition, supporters proposed that the $5 million be in the form of special half dollars which could be sold as souvenirs.The United States had never struck a commemorative, and it was anticipated by organizers that the coins could be sold to the public at double their face value.The bullion would come from the melting of underweight and obsolete silver coins already held by the Treasury, so there would be no expense to the government beyond the costs of production.