Commems Collection Modern: 2026 US Semiquincentennial - Possible? #16

Bill(s)

- HR 10170 (Introduced November 19, 2024; Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY))

Short Title

- Semiquincentennial Commemorative Coin Act

Proposed Year of Issue

- 2026

Purpose

To commemorate the semiquincentennial (250th) anniversary of the establishment of the United States.

The bill does not include a detailed "Findings" section.

Coins

- Up to 100,000 Gold $25 coins (same specifications as modern US Gold Half Eagle)
- Up to 500,000 Silver $2.50 coins (same specifications as modern US Silver Dollar)
- Up to 750,000 Clad Copper-Nickel $0.25 coins
- Up to 100,000 $2.50 Silver Proof coins (5 ounces of 0.999 fine silver)

(A definite 250-inspired theme with the coin denominations!)

Surcharges

- $25.00 Gold coin: $35
- $2.50 Silver coin: $10
- $0.25 Clad coin: $5
- $2.50 Silver 5-ounce coin: $50

Sponsor/Beneficiary

- The America 250 Foundation, "to fund the restoration, rehabilitation, and interpretation of units of America's National Park System and its related areas, as a legacy of the United States Semiquincentennial commemoration."

Comments

The US Mint is actively developing a multi-coin program to celebrate America's 250th Anniversary; it's very likely that one or more commemorative medals will also be included - this bill is a separate initiative. The bill is essentially a duplicate to an unsuccessful bill introduced in the 117th Congress. That bill, introduced by Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), was never reported out of the House Committee on Financial Services and died for lack of action when the Congress adjourned.

The current bill does not specify details for the coin design(s) other than stating that they were to be "emblematic of the semiquincentennial anniversary of the establishment of the United States of America and celebrate 250 years of our Nation." If the bill passes, I would hope for distinct designs on each coin, but a common design used across the issues can't be ruled out (think 2019 Apollo 11 coin program). The design(s) are to be determined jointly by the Semiquincentennial Commission, the America 250 Foundation and the US Commission of Fine Arts.

Likelihood of Passage?

The House bill currently has 59 co-sponsors. (Passage appears to be an uphill battle, however, as Congress is just days from adjournment.)

- Per GovTrack: 1% (as of date of this post)


For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more Possible? commemorative coin stories, see: Commems Collection.