On Tuesday, May 21, the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill, the Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act (H.R. 807), which calls for the the Secretary of the Treasury, through the U.S. Mint, to produce and issue commemorative coins in 2027 that honor the contributions of working dogs in society.
Sponsored by Rep. Patrick T. McHenry (NC), the bill recognizes the indispensable roles that these dogs play in various sectors, including military service, law enforcement, and assistance for people with disabilities.
"The Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act will help get these incredible animals the recognition and appreciation they deserve. This legislation not only honors the working dogs who protect Americans at home and abroad, but also the extraordinary people that benefit from their service," Congressman Patrick McHenry said in a statement.
The Act directs the minting of three types of coins:
- $5 Gold Coins: Limited to 50,000 pieces, each coin would weigh 8.359 grams and contain 90% gold.
- $1 Silver Coins: Limited to 500,000 pieces, each coin would weigh 26.73 grams and contain at least 90% silver.
- Half-Dollar Clad Coins: Limited to 750,000 pieces, each coin would weigh 11.34 grams.
The coins would be issued in both uncirculated and proof qualities for a one-year period beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
Designs on the coins must symbolize the broad contributions of working dogs, including their roles in detection, military service, therapy, and assistance. Each coin would bear inscriptions such as "Liberty," "In God We Trust," "United States of America," and "E Pluribus Unum."
The Secretary of the Treasury would select the designs after consulting with America’s VetDogs and the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA). The designs would also be reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC).
Each coin would be sold at a price equal to the sum of its face value, the cost of designing and issuing, plus a surcharge: $35 for each $5 gold coin, $10 per silver dollar, and $5 per half dollar. Provided the coins turn a profit, the surcharges collected would be distributed to America’s VetDogs to support their programs for providing service dogs to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities.
For the bill to become law, it must also pass in the Senate and be signed by the President.
I’m a working dog! Oh you mean doggies, got it! The Working/Service Dogs are great, and a true asset, but on a coin? Ok…
Will they have a Yorkie like mine on it? Maybe not, but she’s not a yipper or teacup! I’m a little down on the Commems all of a sudden. Will the Big V sign some COA’s? I’ll need to think real hard on this one. What about a working Horse? The forgotten “Workhorse” of yesteryear…
The Big V has already announced she will only sign Cat coins.
That service Pomeranian I saw I. The market would make a nice half dollar. Maybe a special strike on a pigs ear, for the doggies.
Lolol, lol…
Bipartisanship! Coins!! Dogs??? Wow, is this the best we can come up with these days? I think it’s past time to seriously consider only ONE commemorative set per year. Two is too many, particularly given all of the annual standard issues (Eagles, Morgans, Peaces, Buffalos, Liberties, platinum, palladium, uncirculated sets, proof sets, quarters, and on and on and on). Stop the madness! Just one commem per year, please and thank you. P.S. – How about THE commemorative for 2027 being a salute to the 1927 New York Yankees? It was Babe Ruth’s record 60-homerun year and one of Lou Gehrig’s… Read more »
Umm, can one be more of a Marine than Ulysses, Agamemnon, Achilles, Ajax and their comrades? After all, Helen’s face launched a THOUSAND ships (poor Menelaus), carrying combatants who proceeded to battle on land (i.e., they were passengers. not fighting sailors).
Well, that’s a bit too deep for me. It could be time for me to brush up on my Greek Mythology though?
I will say that I do recognise Orion in the night sky, a beautiful sight to behold!
My Horse idea had more to do with a horse for travel, sport, battle and companionship, like a dog, sort of…
It’s nice to meet you Mark D.
Must be running out of ideas, oh well could do worse than dogs, I guess. Here’s one I already have (plus the 100-lb car riding variety): 2018 Australian Year of the Dog (GSD).
Tony@GA,
Maybe Ventris could sign my photo of Julie Newmar, the Original Catwoman?
She’s a little before my time–But she sure is Girly!?!
I’ve never been a cat person per se but I might be reconsidering….
Nostalgic blast from the past Rick!
Yep – it’s official now… I’m a Cat Guy but please don’t tell my dog.
Love the pic!
COINS, gentlemen, coins!!!!
But the point(s) are awesome !!
Some would see those numbers as “enhancements”
But they are and have been outlandish mintage approvals for many years.
They NEVER mint to the approval numbers. I believe they put ridiculous numbers in the legislation so no one will be shut out and the benefiting organization will maximize their income from the program. Only problem is the designs are so bad that the organizations seldom receive anything (substantial).
Kaiser Wilhelm I read in a few places if the US Mint doesn’t break even then the sponsoring organization does not get the proceeds from the surcharge. I’ve been trying to figure out who missed out on the surcharge payout. The 2013 Girl Scout of America Commemoratives seems to be first case, I think the US Mint overestimated demand. This makes me think many newer commemoratives do break even due to a combination limited initial production (or delayed product availability after initial sale…almost mint on demand) and raising prices (much debate about that here and previously on MNB too). Anyway… Read more »
VinnieC, I can only imagine that it’s very disheartening for those non-profit organizations that don’t collect anything from the surcharges. As to which commemoratives collect something (and how much they collect), the information is not readily found- at least not by me in my searches. The Mint’s Annual (fiscal) Report does provide figures for the commemoratives, however 1) it doesn’t differentiate between the multiple commemoratives; 2) it doesn’t break out the surcharge amounts; and 3) it’s based on a fiscal year that runs from Oct. 1 to Sept 30. For instance, the attached is taken from the 2023 Annual Report.… Read more »
Thanks Major D,
I forgot about the annual report. What is weird is Boys Town supposedly got paid and the Lion;s Club would be paid pending paperwork according to a 2019 Coin World story, however 2017 and 2018 were in the red for commems.
Lovely is an understatement!
My favorite line from Batman: as the Caped Crusader and the Boy Wonder are tied and struggling and Catwoman’s table saw is heading for their noggings, Robin exclaims, “Catwoman, you’re not a nice person!”
I suppose the example that you provide is perhaps a better alternative than the one that Jigsaw gives to these two youngsters below? Maybe not, as all table saws are dangerous!… ‘Viewer discretion’ as the clip below has creepy music and a couple of “F” bombs(how dare he say that!)…
Bat Girl wasn’t too hard on the eyes either.
To all the Negative Nellies on here, just remember this: About 65 million households in America have a dog. More then cats, more then hamsters, more then goldfish. Even more then the pythons that owners dump in the Florida swamps every year. These households spend billions every year on their dogs. If I were the US Mint I would put a dog on every coin congress would allow. There have been more then a few subjects on commemorative coins that I felt were contrived, going all the way back to the classic era of the 1930’s. Maybe service dogs should… Read more »
If the pictured dog is your dog’s breed then I’d agree. Too bad so many people have taken advantage of the term service dog as an excuse to take their dogs where the really don’t belong – grocery stores and restaurants come to mind. We have been dog owners and lovers since childhood, but I would never consider paying the mint’s commemorative prices for clad, silver, or gold doggie coins. Maybe several years down the road when you can get them near melt/face value, but not at issue price! Now the Space Force medal in silver is a different story.… Read more »
Christo, I guess the sales numbers will tell the story on this dog commem when all is said & done. I’ll also hold my breath as I simultaneously think for a second that this is something that will sell out on day one, or in 12 months. It will not. I love my std Yorkie doggie, and have spent thousands on her over the years(well, my wife has). But in my opinion for the USM to(arguably)reduce itself(once again) to the many world mints that already strike these up, it just goes to show you where the Mint is heading in… Read more »
Whitman Publishing (Red Book) puts out a great book on commems. Anyone with any interest in learning about the classic commemorative coin era should give it a read. Congress has approved, and the mint has produced, far less deserving coins in its past then one for service dogs. Just saying.
I’ll check out the book, as I’m a learner. I’ve also been disappointed more than once on commems and their potential market value later on, like the Braille UNC for example. Yet I still give in to Commem temptation, just not for the dog, sorry. This year I have bought all PM versions of Greatest Generation Commems(sans unc $1). I agree with you on more deserving coins. I for one find many of the State Half Dollar commems to be stunning, Texas is a great example(if they count?)… My overall point(from the start of this article)was that the Mint is… Read more »
Google is telling me otherwise on that but I suppose if the mint comes to believe most people consider their guns a loving part of the family like people do their dog, maybe so.
Now I really had to laugh over that one, Kaiser! Neither Pobjoy or Fiji mints have even issued coins to commemorate the introduction of kitchen appliances! The US Mint has done a lot better with it’s own issues than the ones Congress has insisted they produce.
I thought that’s what the innovation coins are about.
“I thought that’s what the innovation coins are about.”
That’s a good one REB!
Maybe we can look forward to brass coins that commemorate the microwave oven or the Veg-o-matic chopper. Meanwhile gold and silver goes to the dogs. Probably one of the most benign actions congress can take. I should be happy.
“The Mint’s Handy Household Appliance Commemorative Coin Series will likely be made of recycled soda cans.”
Funny stuff, Kaiser. I wonder if the dog coins should be lovingly packaged in luxurious canine hair clamshells.
Christo, I own two dogs and I haven’t a clue as to why anyone would want to buy a coin bearing an image of a dog on it. Especially considering the bloated prices one has to pay the mint these days for their expertise in pressing coins. I think even Magic Mike Mezack is going to have a hard time selling a ‘dog’ coin.
As far as the 65 million households having dogs, I wonder how many of them also collect coins from the mint?
seriously? Dogs…..i mean i lovem and all but ….a coin? i repeat again….i want a Walt Disney coin!
If anyone deserves a commemorative coin, it’s the most highly decorated soldier in US history- Audie Murphy. And 2025 would mark the 100th year since his birth. Why doesn’t Congress do this?
I could go for that … and the 1927 New York Yankees in 2027. 2025 might be a tough slog for a military-themed commemorative. The 250th Marine Corps Anniversary Commemorative Coin has already been approved for ’25.
1 in 5 of our commemoratives since 1982 have been military themed. There were two in 2012, two in 2011 and two in 1991. And three in 1994 under the Veterans Program. And five in 2018 if you count each service branch medal. 2024 Greatest Generation 2022 National Purple Heart Hall of Honor 2019 American Legion 2018 World War I Centennial 2013 Five Star Generals 2012 National Infantry 2012 Star Spangled Banner 2011 Medal of Honor 2011 US Army 2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life 2005 Marine Corps 230th Anniversary 2002 West Point Bicentennial 1998 Black Revolutionary Patriots 1995 Civil… Read more »
It seems that the Mint has had a “Dogged” determination for the Military themed Commems over the last 20-30 years(pun intended)… I’m with REB, and I’ll take it a bit further than He. How about a Commem every couple of years? For example a release every ‘even year’ in between the Liberty offerings(a Commem of sorts too?). That way every year, a collector can get something special/unique in Silver and/or Gold. Just a thought?.. As an aside, now the Mint want’s $3420 for the “Sold Out” L&B Gold lol. Most likely a pricing grid change-up that barely made it through?..But… Read more »
But if every ‘even year’ then the Marine Corps wouldn’t get a 270th Anniversary one in 2045! Oh, the humanity! But getting back to Audie Murphy, he deserves to be recognized IMO.
It’s interesting that the Marine Corps gets a 230th AND 250th commemorative – the only service or subject to get two (unless you count the 2020 privy-marked eagles as WWII commemoratives).
Yes, correct thank you. The directives are coming from the House(and shouldn’t imo).
Major D,
I wonder if there is a qualifying Audie Murphy beneficiary for the surcharge or if that is a requirement for commemorative coins. I’ve been reading about commemoratives since this article and thread. Here was interesting article in Coin World. It mentioned one where the recipient organization shut down before being paid the proceeds from the surcharge and another shut down afterwards.
https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/commemorative-coin-surcharges-not-automatic.html
However some things are too long to read for fun:
https://www.usmint.gov/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Surcharge-Recipient-Organizations-Compliance-Procedures-for-Surcharge-Eligibility-and-Payments.pdf
VinnyC, Gang,
Just a heads up. This site will only allow one link per comment without an approval delay. I think it’s a default delay whether Unser and gang are working, or off for the weekend & Holidays. You can post one link, and a photo with no delay. This is what I’ve picked up since I’m not too far back from Kaiser in the ‘post a million images’ department!
¯\_( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)_/¯
Thanks Rick,
I had posted a reply about Major D’s suggestion for Audie Murphy commemoratives. Sounds like a good choice, but I was wondering if there would have to be an “Audie Murphy 100” organization or something similar to sponsor it. I mistake of adding two links: 1) Coin World story about Surcharge payment and 2) US Mint rules for beneficiary organization (I forget the proper term). Now that post is in limbo. 🙂
Kaiser,
Yes, I have my virtual Bot fly swatter nearby. Better yet, I’ll get out my trusty Tin Foil Hat just in case!
KITCO has Pd consistently at a $40 spread +/-…
Silver & Gold are always higher spot over at APMEX, if that is your reference? Beware of the “only $x.xx over spot” deals at APMEX, you might just be overpaying a bit because of “spotflation” going on over there?… Where’s that Tin Hat of mine!?!…
If I could just get those pesky little spam/junk bots from infiltrating my emails; “alert” your subscription will be cancelled! McAfee Support!, Camp Lejeune! And so on!
My imagination does run amok occasionally I’ll admit!
Even my D- in math doesn’t let me ignore the Spot shenanigans that APMEX has going on imo. Not to mention some “Fuzzy Math” going on in the Pd dept….
https://www.apmex.com/product/96067/1-gram-palladium-bar-argor-heraeus…
PS: The Foil Hat is becoming a fashion trend right here in the Columbine State! Photo below!
And just to be completely fair. The Tin Foil Hat Craze is spreading across the Nation!
My apologies, for a second there I thought that I was on topic!
For example: Isn’t Tin Foil on the verge of becoming a Precious Metal!?! lol
Bring on the Gold & Silver from above ground I’d say!
Sarah Connor and I are ready and waiting for that Neutron Star Collision!
Just don’t stand too close, you could get a Sunburn Lol…
Back on topic from the USM. Interesting, and a surprise to me is that the L&B Gold is down 2 pcs., and the Silver is down 35 pcs. I would’ve(well, I did)predicted that that number of returns/issues would’ve been higher? Maybe it’s too early to tell since the shipments went out about a week ago(and a holiday).. Next week, or the next could tell us more on what’s next in the wacky L&B world?
“wacky L&B world”
Indeed.