Civil Rights Commemorative Silver Dollar Becomes Law

President Bush is two for two, signing two coin bills into law on two consecutive days.

The president signed the "Civil Rights Act of 1964 Commemorative Coin Act, H.R. 2040" on Tuesday, and the "U.S. Army Commemorative Coin Act" on Monday. (See article for Army coin.)

H.R. 2040 authorizes the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 350,000 silver dollar coins in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The bill was first introduced by Rep. John Lewis [D-GA] back in April 2007. It passed in the House on April 1 of this year, and was approved in the lame duck Senate session November 19. A video speech on the House floor by Mr. Lewis offers thanks for those supporting the bill and highlights several of the historic events the silver dollar will commemorate.

The coin will have the following specifications:

• weigh 26.73 grams;
• have a diameter of 1.50 inches; and
• contain 90 percent silver and 10 percent copper

Sales of each coin will include a $10 surcharge with proceeds paid to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).