A bill recently introduced in the House of Representatives seeks to require the Treasury of the Secretary to mint and issue coins in commemoration of the battlefields of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. The program would include $5 gold coins, silver dollars, and clad half dollars.
The bill H.R. 3818 was introduced in January 24, 2012 by Rep. Rush Holt of New Jersey. He has previously introduced similar bills in the 108th, 109th, 110th, and 111th sessions of Congress. Each of these previous bills died in committee.
The specifics of the current bill call for up to 300,000 $5 gold coins, up to 1,000,000 silver dollars , and up to 2,000,000 clad half dollars to be produced with designs emblematic of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Each coin would be minted in uncirculated and proof qualities, with only one facility of the United States Mint used to strike any particular quality of the coins.
The bill specifies that the coins may be issued only during the one year period beginning on January 1, 2013. This time frame seems problematic since under current rules, only two commemorative coin programs may be approved per year. Congress has already authorized two programs for 2013 featuring the Girl Scouts of the United States of America and the United States Army Five Star Generals.
Other requirements of the bill include surcharges of $35 per gold coin, $10 per silver dollar, and $3 per half dollar to be added to the sales price of the coins. These surcharges would be distributed to the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 Battlefields Foundation for the preservation of historically significant battlefields and related historical sites.
Would have made a lot more sense for these to be issued in 2012, the 200th anniversary.
2 million clad halves when the last military-themed half sold about 100K? I know these are only maximums, but seriously, what is the Congress smoking?
Basically the same bill has been introduced five times now, with no changes except for the date of issue. Back in 2004 when the first bill was introduced, these higher mintages were more customary.
The biggest flaw with the bill is that the maximum two commemorative coin programs have already been authorized for 2013.
Any idea why the previous bills died in committee? It does seem like it would have been better to do this in 2012.
Canada all ready has a coin out for the War of 1812… forget the 5***** general coin
how many military-related commems do we need..?
Yeah, the Senate must be smoking something… those proposed mintage totals are insane in light of slumping sales of the clad halves… And is there no end to surcharges..? These parks receive Federal funds anyway…