Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the US Congress saw multiple bills introduced for commemorative coins to honor those who died. This is the first of three posts about these efforts.Just over two months after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, in November 2001, Eliot L. Engel (D-NY) introduced a commemorative coin bill in the House of Representatives that sought the minting of coins "in commemoration of the Spirit of America and to establish the Victims of September 11th Fund." The bill ultimately garnered 292 Co-Sponsors.
Upon its introduction, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services, with a further referral to its Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy, Technology and Economic Growth.
As is often the case, the bill included a "Findings" section that provided context and background for the legislation:
"The Congress finds as follows:
"(1) On September 11, 2001, the United States suffered the worst act of terrorism in its history.
"(2) The more than 6,000 people who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks that occurred in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001, will not be forgotten.
"(3) Hundreds of emergency personnel responded heroically to the crisis and lost their lives as a result.
"(4) People from everywhere in the United States responded to the crisis with an outpouring of support for the victims of the terrorist attacks and their families.
"(5) The civilized world stands with strength and fortitude in opposition to the cowardly terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001.
"(6) It is essential to remember not only the tragedy of the attacks, but also the strength and resolve demonstrated by the people of the United States in the aftermath of the attacks.
"(7) The minting of coins in commemoration of the Spirit of America will pay tribute to the countless heroes who risked their lives during the terrorist attacks and in their aftermath so that others may live and to a united people whose belief in freedom, justice, and democracy has never swayed."The bill called for three coins - Gold $50, Silver Dollar and Copper-Nickel (CuNI) Clad Half Dollar. One of the interesting aspects of the bill is the fact that it did not specify defined mintage limits for the Silver Dollar or Clad Half Dollar - each was to be struck in "such number...as the Secretary determines appropriate to demand."
The Gold $50 coin did have a specific mintage identified, though TBD: the Secretary of the Treasury was to determine "the number of innocent individuals confirmed or presumed to have been killed as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001" and then strike Gold $50 coins equal to the number determined; only Proof coins were to be struck. The Gold $50 coins were not to be sold or issued to the general public. Each was to be made available - free of charge - "to the next of kin of each individual identified."
The Silver Dollar and Clad Half Dollar were to be issued/sold, with a surcharge included in their issue price. The surcharge funds collected were to cover the costs associated with the Gold $50 coins. The bill specified a minimum surcharge of $10 per coin for the Silver Dollar, and $5 per coin for the Clad Half Dollar. The Secretary, however, had the authority to set higher surcharge levels for either or both coins.
Collected surcharge funds in excess of what was needed for production/distribution of the Gold $50 coins was to be transferred to the Office for Victims of Crime. This Office was to use the funds to estabblish the "Victims of September 11th Fund" with the funds being "used to provide assistance to individuals who were injured, and to the families of individuals who were killed or injured, in the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001."
The bill included design guidelines for the coins, specifying that their designs "shall be emblematic of the tragic events that occurred at the Pentagon, in New York City, and in Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001." The obverse of each coin was to depict the Pentegon and US Flag. The reverse of each was to depict the World Trade Center in New York City. No specific design specifications for the crash site in Pennsylvania were included. Noteworthy is the fact that the coin designs were to feature "September 11, 2001'' but no other date.
Authority for the striking of the coins was to expire one year after initial issue (most likely some time in 2003). As noted above, the Gold $50 coin was only to be struck in Proof, but the Silver Dollar and Clad Half Dollar were to be made available in Proof and Uncirculated.
Maybe the coin proposal came too soon after the attack, maybe it was felt that more time was needed to reflect and determine how best to honor the victims, but whatever the reason, the bill failed to gain traction and was never reported out of Committee.
This is not the end of the story for US September 11, 2001 commemorative coins, however - I'll continue the story in Part II.
For more of my topics on commemorative coins and medals, including more What If? stories, see:
Commems Collection.
Posted 02/12/2025 09:54 am
