Coin Related Bills Move Forward

Bills which will authorize commemorative medals for September 11 and commemorative gold and silver coins for the Star Spangled Banner have passed both the House of Representatives and Senate and will become law with the President's signature.

On July 22, the bill H.R. 4684 passed in the Senate after being passed in the House two days earlier. This bill authorizes the production of one ounce silver medals in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the establishment of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

The designs for the medals "shall be emblematic of the courage, sacrifice, and strength of those individuals who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the bravery of those who risked their lives to save others that day, and the endurance, resilience, and hope of those who survived."

Up to 2 million of the proof silver medals may be struck, with a recommendation included in the legislation that one half of the medals be produced at the West Point Mint and one half at the Philadelphia Mint. Sales of the medals are authorized to begin January 1, 2011. A sales ending date is not specified, although medals could not be struck after December 31, 2012.

Since these would be classified as National Medals, this program does not count towards the maximum of two commemorative coin programs per year. The two coin programs already authorized for 2011 celebrate the Medal of Honor and the United States Army.

On August 2, 2010, the bill H.R. 2097 passed in the Senate after passing in the House on September 9, 2009. This bill would authorize $5 gold and $1 silver coins issued in commemoration of the writing of the Star Spangled Banner.

The designs for the coins "shall be emblematic of the War of 1812 and particularly the Battle for Baltimore that formed the basis for the Star-Spangled Banner."

The coins carry the typical specifications for $5 gold and silver dollar commemorative coins. The maximum authorized mintages are 100,000 for gold coins and 500,000 for silver coins, across proof and uncirculated versions. The coins could be issued during the calendar year beginning January 1, 2012.

The other commemorative coin program already authorized for 2012 will honor the United States Army Infantry and the establishment of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.

The schedule for upcoming commemorative coin or medal programs that have been approved or are awaiting the President's signature appears below.

2011	Coins Included	Status
United States Army	$5 gold, $1 silver, half	Approved
Medal of Honor	$5 gold, $1 silver	Approved
September 11	silver medals	Sent to President
2012
United States Army Infantry	$1 silver	Approved
Star Spangled Banner	$5 gold, $1 silver	Sent to President
2013
Girl Scouts Centennial	$1 silver	Approved
2014
Civil Rights Act of 1964	$1 silver	Approved

COMMENTS CLOSED FOR THIS POST.