25th 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act

Summary#

This bill requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and sell commemorative coins for the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. It authorizes up to 50,000 $5 gold coins (at least 90% gold) and up to 400,000 $1 silver coins (at least 90% silver). The coins must include inscriptions such as "Liberty," "In God We Trust," "United States of America," "E Pluribus Unum," and "25th Anniversary," and at least one coin must bear "Never Forget." Designs are selected by the Secretary after consulting the National September 11 Memorial and Museum and the Commission of Fine Arts and reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee. Coins will be issued in proof and uncirculated qualities and may be struck at the West Point Mint. Issuance is limited to the one-year period beginning January 1, 2027. All sales will include surcharges that are paid to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum to support its operations and maintenance.

What it means for you#

• You can buy these commemorative gold and silver coins when they are sold by the U.S. Mint.
• The coins are legal tender and are considered numismatic (collector) items.
• The sale price will equal the coin's face value plus a surcharge and the cost of making and issuing the coin.
• Surcharges are $35 for each $5 gold coin and $10 for each $1 silver coin.
• The Mint will accept prepaid orders and offer bulk-sale discounts.
• Coins will be available only during the one-year issuance period starting January 1, 2027, if the program does not exceed annual limits on commemorative programs.

Expenses#

The bill requires the Secretary to set sale prices that cover the coin face value, a surcharge, and the Mint's costs (design, labor, materials, dies, machinery, overhead, marketing, and shipping). The Secretary must ensure minting and issuing these coins result in no net cost to the federal government and that no surcharge funds go to the museum until the Treasury has recovered total production and issuance costs. The bill specifies surcharge amounts ($35 and $10) and that those surcharges are paid to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. No publicly available information on estimated total costs, projected sales, or total surcharge revenue is provided in the bill text.

Proponents' View#

The bill text states that the coins will commemorate the courage, sacrifice, and strength of those who died and those who responded on September 11, 2001. It says the National September 11 Memorial and Museum is dedicated to remembering, reflecting, and educating future generations and supports family members, survivors, rescue and recovery workers, and military personnel affected by the attacks. Proponents view the coin program as a way to honor victims and support the museum's operations and programs.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.