Paul Hollis Testifies Before Sentate Banking Committee on Route to Mint Director Position

On Thursday, October 30, Paul Hollis, of Louisiana, was called before the United States Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs committee to answer questions from committee members consisting of Senators from 24 different states. SD Bullion posted a compilation video on Youtube.

The hearing, which included Mr. Hollis and three other Presidential appointees, lasted about two hours, and much of the Senators' focus was aimed to other candidates. Based on the line of questioning, Hollis would appear to be in unanimous favor with the committee, though it was suggested by Chairman Tim Scott (R - SC) that much of the final voting is expected to go down party lines.

Mr. Hollis was grilled a few times on the matter of a circulating coin bearing President Trump's likeness being minted. Each time, Hollis responded that he would faithfully acquit his job as United States Mint Director with utmost adherence to the 1866 law, and that he could otherwise not comment on the specifics of the design in question. This was the perfect answer to such an impossible question.

April 7, 1866 - An Act of Congress stated that only a portrait of a deceased person could appear on currency. The Act was caused by an uproar over the actions of the Chief of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Spencer Clark. Clark placed himself on a five cent note and had a large quantity of them printed before it was noticed. Due to Clark's actions the already prepared 15 cent note featuring Sherman and Grant was never released.

The role of Mint Director is to produce coinage at the behest of the Treasury Department, and an appointee would have no knowledge of the veracity of a design that has not been formally proposed. As it turns out the law is murky on this subject and coins are not specifically mentioned. Regardless, Hollis handled the questions with a straightforward and steadfast response that appeared to put the Senators at ease.

Beyond that, Mr. Hollis received adulation from his fellow Louisiana compatriots including Senator John Kennedy (R - LA), who referred to him as a "favored son in Louisiana."

Senator John Kennedy (R - LA, left) takes a moment to speak with Paul's family before the hearing. (Photo courtesy of Jerry Jordan)

Next steps for Mr. Hollis will come in when the committee votes to approve the appointees -- presumably in the next few weeks, and then final confirmation of the Senate. As an attendee of the event yesterday, I was humbled by the machine of democracy at work, even while the government is shut down. The Senators made some use of their time to make general political statements but I was heartened by the fact that the Senators and Appointees in the room are devoted civil servants with the best of intentions to carry on the work of the American people. I rarely, if ever, make political statements because I feel such matters are personal and the right of each person. However, I was in awe of everyone in the room yesterday, and I felt a pang of guilt that I have never performed public service in this way.

The appointees are sworn in. Paul Hollis standing second from left.

The "coin crew" stands together, after the hearing. From left to right: Jerry Jordan, Paul Hollis, Dan Duncan, John Feigenbaum.

Speaking for myself and the Whitman team, we are full supporters of Paul Hollis. We are extremely proud that "one of our own" could carry the mantle as next United States Mint Director. Hollis' appointment will mean we have a true advocate at the Mint with real knowledge of our hobby.