Details on this one have now become available...Bill(s)- HR 1993 (Introduced by Daniel Goldman (D-NY))
Short Title - 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act
Proposed Year of Issue - 2027
Purpose To recognize the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and to support programs at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center.
Findings The Congress finds the following:
(1) On September 11, 2001, the United States suffered the deadliest terrorist attacks on United States soil (referred to in this section as "the attacks").
(2) 2,977 people were killed during the attacks, marking the single worst foreign attack on United States soil since Pearl Harbor in 1941.
(3) In New York City, 2 planes hit the Twin Towers during the attacks, causing both 110-story towers to collapse in less than 2 hours, as well as destroying 5 other buildings in the World Trade Center complex, leaving a death toll of 2,753 people, including all passengers and crew members of American Airlines Flight 11 and all passengers and crew members of United Airlines Flight 175.
(4) During the attacks, American Airlines Flight 77 struck the side of the Pentagon, killing 184 passengers, crew members, and personnel.
(5) In Pennsylvania, during the attacks, United Airlines Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, killing all 40 passengers and crew members.
(6) The attacks took the lives of 441 first responders in New York, specifically 343 firefighters from the New York City Fire Department, 37 officers from the Port Authority Police Department, 23 officers from the New York City Police Department, and 38 individuals from other agencies.
(7) The collapse of the towers following the attacks created massive dust clouds that left hundreds of densely populated city blocks covered with harmful contaminants, exposing first responders, local workers, residents, and students.
(8) More than 2 decades after these horrific terrorist attacks took place, the ongoing physical and mental health impacts continue to deeply affect tens of thousands of individuals across the country who were in lower Manhattan and the surrounding area following the attacks, as well as those from around the country who participated in the rescue, recovery, and relief efforts, due to their exposure to the dust, smoke, and debris. Thousands of others have died due to illnesses and injuries relating to the attacks.
(9) The National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center is continuously dedicated to remembering, reflecting, and educating for many generations to come so that the story of September 11, 2001, is never forgotten.
(10) The National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center is committed to supporting family members, survivors, rescue and recovery workers, and military personnel who were affected by the attacks by providing services, education, and programming.
Coins - Up to 50,000 Gold $5 coins
- Up to 400,000 Silver $1 coins
The coins are to feature designs emblematic of the courage, sacrifice, and strength of those individuals who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the bravery of those who risked their lives to save others that day, and the endurance, resilience, and hope of those who survived.
Each coin is to include an inscription of "25th Anniversary".
At least one of the program's coins is to include the inscription "Never Forget".
Surcharges - $5 coin: $35
- $1 coin: $10
Sponsor/Beneficiary - The National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center to support the operations and maintenance of the same.
CommentsIn an apparent deferment to the US Semiquincentennial in 2026, the proposed issue year for the September 11th 25th Anniversary coins has been pushed from 2026 to 2027 - the 26th Anniversary year. I can certainly understand not wanting to compete against the numismatic juggernaut that the US' 250th Anniversary coin programs will likely create, but, IMO, 2027 is not a milestone anniversary year for September 11, 2001 in the same manner that 2026 is. I believe the coin program would fare OK in 2026 due to its subject.
(Note: The requirement for the coins to feature the inscription "25th Anniversary" is likely due to the out-of-sync issue date on the coins.)The bill was introduced with 12 Co-Sponsors (it presently has 30). So, while the bill appears to be gaining support, the support of hundreds more will be needed for the bill to gain enough traction to pass the House, move on to the Senate and potentially become law.
Some collectors don't support commemorative coins that commemorate tragic events. I can understand that. This bill, however, is not about the tragic event itself, but rather those that perished as a result and the acts of heroism seen in response to it. That's something I can support!
The US Mint issued a pair of National Commemorative Medals in 2011 to mark the 10th Anniversary of September 11th. I supported those medals, and would support this coin program - issue date notwithstanding - if it were to be authorized.
2011 September 11, 2001 10th Anniversary Medal
(Image Credit: Image courtesy of PCGS CoinFacts, https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts.)Likelihood of Passage?- Per GovTrack: 7% (as of the date of this post)
For other of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, including more Possible? commemorative coin stories, see:
Commems Collection.