World War Peace $1 Coin Value
Germaine Greenweig
The Schuman Declaration was presented by French foreign minister Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950. It proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community, whose members would pool coal and steel production.
The ECSC (founding members: France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg) was the first of a series of supranational European institutions that would ultimately become today's "European Union".
The contribution which an organized and living Europe can bring to civilization is indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations. In taking upon herself for more than 20 years the role of champion of a united Europe, France has always had as her essential aim the service of peace. A united Europe was not achieved and we had war.
Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity. The coming together of the nations of Europe requires the elimination of the age-old opposition of France and Germany. Any action taken must in the first place concern these two countries.
It proposes that Franco-German production of coal and steel as a whole be placed under a common High Authority, within the framework of an organization open to the participation of the other countries of Europe. The pooling of coal and steel production should immediately provide for the setting up of common foundations for economic development as a first step in the federation of Europe, and will change the destinies of those regions which have long been devoted to the manufacture of munitions of war, of which they have been the most constant victims.
The solidarity in production thus established will make it plain that any war between France and Germany becomes not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible. The setting up of this powerful productive unit, open to all countries willing to take part and bound ultimately to provide all the member countries with the basic elements of industrial production on the same terms, will lay a true foundation for their economic unification.
This production will be offered to the world as a whole without distinction or exception, with the aim of contributing to raising living standards and to promoting peaceful achievements. With increased resources Europe will be able to pursue the achievement of one of its essential tasks, namely, the development of the African continent. In this way, there will be realised simply and speedily that fusion of interest which is indispensable to the establishment of a common economic system; it may be the leaven from which may grow a wider and deeper community between countries long opposed to one another by sanguinary divisions.
By pooling basic production and by instituting a new High Authority, whose decisions will bind France, Germany and other member countries, this proposal will lead to the realization of the first concrete foundation of a European federation indispensable to the preservation of peace.
The task with which this common High Authority will be charged will be that of securing in the shortest possible time the modernization of production and the improvement of its quality; the supply of coal and steel on identical terms to the French and German markets, as well as to the markets of other member countries; the development in common of exports to other countries; the equalization and improvement of the living conditions of workers in these industries.
To achieve these objectives, starting from the very different conditions in which the production of member countries is at present situated, it is proposed that certain transitional measures should be instituted, such as the application of a production and investment plan, the establishment of compensating machinery for equating prices, and the creation of a restructuring fund to facilitate the rationalization of production. The movement of coal and steel between member countries will immediately be freed from all customs duty, and will not be affected by differential transport rates. Conditions will gradually be created which will spontaneously provide for the more rational distribution of production at the highest level of productivity.
In contrast to international cartels, which tend to impose restrictive practices on distribution and the exploitation of national markets, and to maintain high profits, the organization will ensure the fusion of markets and the expansion of production.
The essential principles and undertakings defined above will be the subject of a treaty signed between the States and submitted for the ratification of their parliaments. The negotiations required to settle details of applications will be undertaken with the help of an arbitrator appointed by common agreement. He will be entrusted with the task of seeing that the agreements reached conform with the principles laid down, and, in the event of a deadlock, he will decide what solution is to be adopted.
The common High Authority entrusted with the management of the scheme will be composed of independent persons appointed by the governments, giving equal representation. A chairman will be chosen by common agreement between the governments. The Authority's decisions will be enforceable in France, Germany and other member countries. Appropriate measures will be provided for means of appeal against the decisions of the Authority.
A representative of the United Nations will be accredited to the Authority, and will be instructed to make a public report to the United Nations twice yearly, giving an account of the working of the new organization, particularly as concerns the safeguarding of its objectives.
The institution of the High Authority will in no way prejudge the methods of ownership of enterprises. In the exercise of its functions, the common High Authority will take into account the powers conferred upon the International Ruhr Authority and the obligations of all kinds imposed upon Germany, so long as these remain in force.
Coin commemorates peace after World War IBy Michele Orzano
COIN WORLD Staff
Commemorating the peace after World War I is the reason the Peace dollar was created, although the first coin was not struck until Decemb...READ MORE
Produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), the GPI contains the most updated guide to global peacefulness. The report analyses trends in peace and its economic value using relevant data.
In the 2023 Global Peace Index, global peacefulness experienced a slight decline of 0.42%. This marks the ninth consecutive year of deterioration. Of the 23 GPI indicators, ten showed improvement, 11 deteriorated, and two remained unchanged over the past year. Notably, 84 countries saw an improvement in their peacefulness levels, while 79 countries faced a decline. Seven out of the top ten countries belong in the European region while the remaining three reside in the Asia-Pacific.
Switzerland entered the top 10 most peaceful countries globally. It is worth noting that despite this achievement, Switzerland maintains its position as one of the countries with the highest weapons exports per capita in 2023.
Slovenia is the only country in Central Europe to place in the top ten. It experienced a drop of one rank since the last GPI, now standing as the 8th most peaceful country. In addition to that, Slovenia ranks 5th in the militarisation domain.
Singapore made a notable advancement by climbing three places in the index. Additionally, Singapore holds the 2nd rank in the Asia-Pacific region. It also ranks within the top five in both the safety and security and ongoing conflict domains, despite having a relatively high military expenditure of $3,227 per capita.
Austria retains its spot as the 5th most peaceful country. It performs well across all domains, securing a position within the top 15, and is recognised for its low economic cost of violence. Although recent terrorist events have led to stringent government response, thereby compounding the terrorism indicator.
New Zealand claims the 4th rank on a global scale and is the most peaceful country in the Asia-Pacific region. Notably, New Zealand experienced improvements in indicators such as violent demonstrations, incarceration rates and terrorism impact. However, its economic cost of violence remains relatively high compared to other top ten countries.
Ireland continues to hold the 3rd position among the most peaceful countries. Impressively, it ranks 4th lowest in terms of economic cost of violence and it has a neutral army where there are no NATO membership targets for military spending.
Iceland proudly maintains its status as the most peaceful country in the world for the 17th consecutive year. In addition to this remarkable feat, Iceland ranks 3rd in the safety and security domain, and it claims the 1st positions in the ongoing conflict and militarization domains. However, it is worth noting a 4% deterioration in its overall score, attributed to an increase in the homicide rate and terrorism impact indicators.
Vision of Humanity is brought to you by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), by staff in our global offices in Sydney, New York, The Hague, Harare and Mexico. Alongside maps and global indices, we present fresh perspectives on current affairs reflecting our editorial philosophy.
The obverse text on this So-Called Dollar reads Peace and the reverse text is World War Began August 1, 1914 U.S. Entered April 6, 1917 Armistice Signed Nov. 11, 1918 Peace Signed June 28, 1919. The front side of the coin shows an angel to the left side of the medal holding a branch in her right hand, mountains and the sunrise in the distance, and a cannon to the lower right. The backside of the coin depicts lines of text showing the dates that the United States became involved in World War I, as well as ceased fire and signed a treaty.
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