Upcoming Commemorative Coin Programs

Late last week, a bill authorizing a commemorative coin program for the Medal of Honor was signed into law by the President. This follows recent authorization for Girl Scouts Commemorative coins signed on October 29. With the schedule for commemorative coins filling up for the coming years, I wanted to devote a post to outlining future programs that have been authorized.

Proposals for commemorative coin programs begin when a bill is introduced in the House of Representatives or the Senate. The bill must be voted on and passed in the House and Senate, and then signed into law by the President in order to become law.

Under current law, no more than two commemorative coin programs may be authorized for each year. There are currently seven commemorative coin programs authorized for future years. The spaces for 2010 and 2011 are filled, and one program has been authorized so far for each year from 2012 to 2014.

2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coins

This program will authorize the production of up to 350,000 silver dollar coins "emblematic of our disabled veterans who, having survived the ordeal of war, made enormous personal sacrifices defending the principals of our democracy." The authorizing legislation for the program was signed into law on July 17, 2008.

The design for the silver dollar was unveiled by the United States Mint in August. The obverse displays legs and boots of three disabled veterans with the inscription "They Stood Up for Us." The reverse features a wreath of oak branches with the inscription "Take this moment to honor our disabled defenders of freedom."

2010 Boy Scouts Centennial Commemorative Coins

This program will authorize the production of up to 350,000 silver dollars to mark the centennial of the Boy Scouts of America. The authorizing legislation for the program was signed into law on October 8, 2008.
The final designs for the silver dollar have not yet been announced by the United States Mint, although candidates have been reviewed by the CFA and CCAC. The CFA favored two obverse designs, one depicts three scouts saluting and the other depicts a scout and adviser on a rock ledge. The CCAC favored an obverse design featuring a scout in original 1910 uniform extending a hand to a scout in the modern uniform. The reverse design candidates feature different arrangements of the Boy Scouts logo.

2011 Army Commemorative Coins

This program will authorize $5 gold, $1 silver, and 50 cent clad coins "in recognition and celebration of the establishment of the United States Army in 1775, to honor the American soldier of both today and yesterday, in wartime and in peace, and to commemorate the traditions, history, and heritage of the United States Army and its role in American society, from the Colonial period to today." The bill authorizing the program was signed into law on December 1, 2008.

The $5 gold coins will have a maximum mintage of 100,000 coins, the $1 silver coins will have a maximum of 500,000 coins, and the 50 cent coins will have a maximum of 750,000 coins. Designs will be emblematic of the concepts described above.

2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coins

The program will authorize the issuance of $5 gold and $1 silver coins for the Medal of Honor, America's highest award for valor in action against an enemy force. The coins will recognize and celebrate the establishment of the award in 1861, honor its recipients, and promote awareness of what the Medal of Honor represents.

Up to 100,000 $5 gold coins and up to 500,000 $1 silver coins may be produced under the program. According to the legislation, the design for the coins shall contain motifs that represent the three Medal of Honor designs for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and honor the recipients of today and yesterday.

2012 Infantry Commemorative Coins

This program will issue up to 350,000 $1 silver coins to commemorate the legacy of the United States Army Infantry and the establishment of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center. The bill was signed into law on October 8, 2008.

The design of the coin "shall be emblematic of the courage, pride, sacrifice, sense of duty, and history of the United States Infantry."

2013 Girl Scouts Commemorative Coins

The bill authorizing a commemorative coin program for the Girl Scouts of the United States of America was recently signed into law on October 29, 2009. Up to 350,000 $1 silver coins may be issued in 2013 to celebrate the centennial of the organization.

The design of the coin will be emblematic of the centennial of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America.

2014 Civil Rights Commemorative Coins

The program will authorize the issuance of $1 silver coins to celebrate the semicentennial of the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The bill was signed into law on December 2, 2008.

Up to 350,000 of the silver dollar commemorative coins would be issued with a design emblematic of the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its contribution to civil rights in America.