When it comes to legislation about coins and the U.S. Mint, the 113th United States Congress has been busy. Since convening on Jan. 3, 2013, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate have introduced dozens of bills on coinage.
Ten different commemorative coin acts have been submitted for consideration, and those are joined by many more bills that could affect the United States Mint and the coins and medals it strikes.
Since the U.S. Mint operates under the direction of Congress, it is perhaps prudent to check on recent Congressional activity. It also provides an opportunity to get a glimpse of possible upcoming programs. For instance, coin legislation introduced during 2013 seeks the following commemorative programs:
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Coins
- Korean Immigration Coins
- Breast Cancer Awareness Coins
- Coast Guard Coins
- Boys Town Centennial Coins
- Thirteenth Amendment Coins
- National Park Service 100th Anniversary Coins
- Mother’s Day Centennial Coins
- World War I American Veterans Centennial Coins
- Panama Canal and Pan-Pacific Exhibition Centennial Celebration Coins
None of these bills have been enacted into law.
On related legislation, the Commemorative Coins Reform Act of 2013 seeks a change to modern commemorative programs. Under the terms of the bill, it would prohibit surcharges from being paid to private organizations or entities.
Following are very brief summaries of commemorative coin and United States Mint related legislation and resolutions that were introduced in 2013. For any one of these proposed bills to become law, it must pass both chambers of Congress and get signed by the President. That must happen before the end of the 113th Congress, which is schedule to close on Jan. 3, 2015.
S.1842: Pro Football Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH] (Introduced 12/17/2013) Cosponsors: 24
Latest Action: 12/17/2013 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Summary: To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins (in 2017) in recognition and celebration of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
H.R.3729: Korean Immigration Commemorative Coin Act
Sponsor: Rep. Andrews, Robert E. [D-NJ-1] (Introduced 12/12/2013) Cosponsors: 0
Latest Action: 12/12/2013 Referred to House Financial Services
Summary: To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins (in 2018) in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the beginning of Korean immigration into the United States
H.R.3680: Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Act
Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12] (Introduced 12/09/2013) Cosponsors: 1
Latest Action: 12/09/2013 Referred to House Financial Services
Summary: To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins (in 2018) in recognition of the fight against breast cancer
H.R.2932: United States Coast Guard Commemorative Coin Act
Sponsor: Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2] (Introduced 08/01/2013) Cosponsors: 135
Latest Action: 08/01/2013 Referred to House Financial Services
Summary: To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins (in 2017) in commemoration of the United States Coast Guard
H.R.2754: Collectible Coin Protection Act
Sponsor: Rep. Butterfield, G. K. [D-NC-1] (Introduced 07/19/2013) Cosponsors: 5
Latest Action: 07/31/2013 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Summary: Amends the Hobby Protection Act
H.R.2866: Boys Town Centennial Commemorative Coin Act
Sponsor: Rep. Terry, Lee [R-NE-2] (Introduced 07/30/2013) Cosponsors: 273
Latest Action: 07/30/2013 Referred to House Financial Services
Summary: To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins (in 2017 and 2018) in commemoration of the centennial of Boys Town, and for other purposes
H.R.2633: Thirteenth Amendment Commemorative Coin Act
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7] (Introduced 07/09/2013) Cosponsors: 73
Latest Action: 07/09/2013 Referred to House Financial Services
Summary: To require the Treasury to mint coins (in 2016) in commemoration of the Sesquicentennial Anniversary of the adoption of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which officially marked the abolishment of slavery in the United States
S.1158: National Park Service 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA] (Introduced 06/13/2013) Cosponsors: 72
Latest Action: 06/13/2013 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Summary: To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins (in 2016) commemorating the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the National Park Service, and for other purposes
H.R.2366: World War I American Veterans Centennial Commemorative Coin Act
Sponsor: Rep. Lamborn, Doug [R-CO-5] (Introduced 06/13/2013) Cosponsors: 15
Latest Action: 06/13/2013 Referred to House Financial Services
Summary: To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins (in 2018) in commemoration of the centennial of World War I
S.1011: Boys Town Centennial Commemorative Coin Act
Sponsor: Sen. Johanns, Mike [R-NE] (Introduced 05/22/2013) Cosponsors: 12
Latest Action: 05/22/2013 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Summary: To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins (in 2017 and 2018) in commemoration of the centennial of Boys Town, and for other purposes
H.R.1071: To specify the size of the precious-metal blanks that will be used in the production of the National Baseball Hall of Fame commemorative coins
Sponsor: Rep. Hanna, Richard L. [R-NY-22] (Introduced 03/12/2013) Cosponsors: 2
Latest Action: 05/17/2013 Became Public Law No: 113-10
Summary: To specify the size of the precious-metal blanks that will be used in the production of the National Baseball Hall of Fame commemorative coins
H.R.1849: Collectible Coin Protection Act
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21] (Introduced 05/07/2013) Cosponsors: 4
Latest Action: 05/10/2013 Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade
Summary: Amends the Hobby Protection Act
H.R.1905: Mother’s Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act
Sponsor: Rep. McKinley, David B. [R-WV-1] (Introduced 05/09/2013) Cosponsors: 49
Latest Action: 05/09/2013 Referred to House Financial Services
Summary: To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins (in 2014) in commemoration of the centennial of the establishment of Mother’s Day
H.R.1653: Pro Football Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act
Sponsor: Rep. Renacci, James B. [R-OH-16] (Introduced 04/18/2013) Cosponsors: 34
Latest Action: 04/18/2013 Referred to House Financial Services
Summary: To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins (in 2017) in recognition and celebration of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
H.R.1218: Commemorative Coins Reform Act of 2013
Sponsor: Rep. Amash, Justin [R-MI-3] (Introduced 03/15/2013) Cosponsors: 5
Latest Action: 03/15/2013 Referred to House Financial Services
Summary: To prohibit the payment of surcharges for commemorative coin programs to private organizations or entities, and for other purposes
H.R.627: National Park Service 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act
Sponsor: Rep. Paulsen, Erik [R-MN-3] (Introduced 02/13/2013) Cosponsors: 306
Latest Action: 02/13/2013 Referred to House Financial Services
Summary: To provide for the issuance of coins (in 2016) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the National Park Service, and for other purposes
S.203: Pro Football Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH] (Introduced 01/31/2013) Cosponsors: 24
Latest Action: 01/31/2013 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Summary: To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins (in 2016) in recognition and celebration of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
S.94: A bill to terminate the $1 presidential coin program
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA] (Introduced 01/23/2013) Cosponsors: 0
Latest Action: 01/23/2013 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Summary: To terminate the $1 presidential coin program
H.R.220: Stop the Coin Act
Sponsor: Rep. Walden, Greg [R-OR-2] (Introduced 01/14/2013) Cosponsors: 24
Latest Action: 01/14/2013 Referred to House Financial Services
Summary: To amend section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, to limit the face value of coins ($200 maximum) that the Secretary of the Treasury may issue, and for other purposes
H.R.3305: Currency Optimization, Innovation, and National Savings Act
Sponsor: Rep. Fitzpatrick, Michael G. [R-PA-8] (Introduced 10/22/2013) Cosponsors: 11
Latest Action: 10/22/2013 Referred to House Financial Services
Summary: To improve the circulation of $1 coins, to remove barriers to the circulation of such coins, and for other purposes
S.1105: Currency Optimization, Innovation, and National Savings Act
Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA] (Introduced 06/06/2013) Cosponsors: 4
Latest Action: 06/06/2013 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Summary: To improve the circulation of $1 coins, to remove barrier to the circulation of such coins, and for other purposes
H.R.2760: Panama Canal and Pan-Pacific Exhibition Centennial Celebration Act
Sponsor: Rep. Pelosi, Nancy [D-CA-12] (Introduced 07/19/2013) Cosponsors: 17
Latest Action: 07/19/2013 Referred to House Financial Services
Summary: To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins (in 2017) in commemoration of the centennial of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition and the Panama Canal, and for other purposes
H.R.2535: American Liberty Coinage and Deficit Reduction Act of 2013
Sponsor: Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6] (Introduced 06/27/2013) Cosponsors: 5
Latest Action: 06/27/2013 Referred to House Financial Services
Summary: Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to study the estimated effect of coinage under this Act and if it results in a 10-year deficit reduction of $100 million or more, to mint and issue dime, quarter and half-dollar coins in specified years that commemorate and celebrate American liberty, "the Union," and the American values and attributes of freedom, independence, civil governance, enlightenment, peace, strength, equality, democracy, and justice
H.R.1719: Cents and Sensibility Act
Sponsor: Rep. Stivers, Steve [R-OH-15] (Introduced 04/24/2013) Cosponsors: 2
Latest Action: 04/24/2013 Referred to House Financial Services
Summary: To amend title 31, United States Code, to save the American taxpayers money by immediately altering the metallic composition of the one-cent, five-cent, dime, and quarter dollar coins, and for other purposes
S.768: Sound Money Promotion Act
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT] (Introduced 04/18/2013) Cosponsors: 2
Latest Action: 04/18/2013 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
Summary: To treat gold and silver coins used as legal tender in the same manner as United States currency for taxation purposes
H.R.77: Free Competition in Currency Act of 2013
Sponsor: Rep. Broun, Paul C. [R-GA-10] (Introduced 01/03/2013) Cosponsors: 1
Latest Action: 01/25/2013 Referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial And Antitrust Law
Summary: To repeal the legal tender laws, to prohibit taxation on certain coins and bullion, and to repeal superfluous sections related to coinage
H.R.1184: Small Business Deposit Relief Act of 2013
Sponsor: Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1] (Introduced 03/14/2013) Cosponsors: 0
Latest Action: 03/14/2013 Referred to House Financial Services
Summary: Limits criminal penalties for violations of reporting requirements imposed on financial institutions concerning domestic transactions for the payment, receipt, or transfer of U.S. coins or currency or other monetary instruments where the violation: (1) was not made while also violating another federal law, and (2) was a first offense under such transaction provisions
S.Res.174: A resolution designating June 20, 2013, as "American Eagle Day", and celebrating the recovery and restoration of the bald eagle, the national symbol of the United States.
Sponsor: Sen. Alexander, Lamar [R-TN] (Introduced 06/18/2013) Cosponsors: 7
Latest Action: 06/18/2013 Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4620; text as passed Senate: CR S4590-4591)
Summary: applauds the issuance of bald eagle commemorative coins by the Secretary of the Treasury as a means by which to generate critical funds for the protection of bald eagles and for other purposes
H.R.324: To grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the First Special Service Force, in recognition of its superior service during World War II
Sponsor: Rep. Miller, Jeff [R-FL-1] (Introduced 01/18/2013) Cosponsors: 326
Latest Action: 07/12/2013 Became Public Law No: 113-16
Summary: To grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the First Special Service Force, in recognition of its superior service during World War II
S.789: A bill to grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the First Special Service Force, in recognition of its superior service during World War II
Sponsor: Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT] (Introduced 04/23/2013) Cosponsors: 72
Latest Action: 04/23/2013 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Summary: To grant the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the First Special Service Force, in recognition of its superior service during World War II
H.R.3146: SAVE II Act
Sponsor: Rep. Murphy, Patrick [D-FL-18] (Introduced 09/19/2013) Cosponsors: 7
Latest Action: 10/15/2013 Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations
Summary: Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from minting or issuing any coin, or engraving or printing any U.S. currency, that costs more to produce than the denomination of such coin or currency and for other purposes
H.R.1576: Dollar Bill Act of 2013
Sponsor: Rep. Poe, Ted [R-TX-2] (Introduced 04/16/2013) Cosponsors: 0
Latest Action: 04/16/2013 Referred to House Budget
Summary: Makes certain technical and conforming amendments to the Banking Act of 1933 and the Revised Statutes of the United States to limit the business of national banks to receiving deposits, extending credit, discounting and negotiating evidences of debt, loaning money on personal security, engaging in coin and bullion exchange, and investing in investment securities and for other purposes
S.1282: 21st Century Glass-Steagall Act of 2013
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA] (Introduced 07/11/2013) Cosponsors: 9
Latest Action: 07/11/2013 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Summary: Makes certain technical and conforming amendments to the Banking Act of 1933 and the Revised Statutes of the United States to limit the business of national banks to receiving deposits, extending credit, discounting and negotiating evidences of debt, loaning money on personal security, engaging in coin and bullion exchange, and investing in investment securities and for other purposes
H.R.3711: 21st Century Glass-Steagall Act of 2013
Sponsor: Rep. Tierney, John F. [D-MA-6] (Introduced 12/11/2013) Cosponsors: 1
Latest Action: 12/11/2013 Referred to House Judiciary
Summary: Makes certain technical and conforming amendments to the Banking Act of 1933 and the Revised Statutes of the United States to limit the business of national banks to receiving deposits, extending credit, discounting and negotiating evidences of debt, loaning money on personal security, engaging in coin and bullion exchange, and investing in investment securities and for other purposes
S.1371: Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2014
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM] (Introduced 07/25/2013) Cosponsors: 0
Latest Action: 07/25/2013 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 149
Summary: Prohibits the U.S. Mint from using any federal funds to construct or operate any museum without the explicit approval of specified congressional committees; Prohibits the use of funds to merge the U.S. Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing without the explicit approval of the same congressional committees and for other purposes
H.R.2786: Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2014
Sponsor: Rep. Crenshaw, Ander [R-FL-4] (Introduced 07/23/2013) Cosponsors: 0
Latest Action: 07/23/2013 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 125
Summary: Prohibits the U.S. Mint from using any federal funds to construct or operate any museum without the explicit approval of specified congressional committees; Prohibits the use of funds to merge the U.S. Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing without the explicit approval of the same congressional committees and for other purposes
ENOUGH with commemoratives for every Congress-member’s pet cause! How ’bout bringing the coins we use every day into the 21st century – ?!
How about 2015? THeres a lot of proposed litigation above for 2016/2017. I am wondering if the football hall of fame was really meant for 2015, and not 2017?