 In early 1965 , Treasury Secretary C. Douglas Dillon wrote to President Lyndon Johnson , opposing the coin issue and pointing out that the pieces would be unlikely to circulate in Montana or anywhere else ; they would simply be hoarded . Nevertheless , Dillon concluded that as Senator Mansfield insisted , the coins would have to be struck . Dillon resigned on April 1 ; his successor , Henry H. Fowler , was immediately questioned by Mansfield about the dollars , and he assured the senator that things would be worked out to his satisfaction . Mint Director Eva Adams hoped to avoid striking the silver dollars , but wanted to keep the $ 600 @,@ 000 appropriated for that expense . Senator Mansfield refused to consider any cancellation or delay and on May 12 , 1965 , the Denver Mint began trial strikes of the 1964 @-@ D Peace dollar — the Mint had obtained congressional authorization to continue striking 1964 @-@ dated coins into 1965 . 
