US Battlefields Commemorative Coins Proposed

New legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday that would authorize the US Mint to strike gold, silver and clad coins "in commemoration of the battlefields of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812."

This legislation is a shining example of the phrase: "If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again…" While the bill has sported different numerical designations and coin issue dates, its language has been around since the 108th Congress (2004) to today’s 111 Congress.

Ushered in again by Rep. Rush Holt [D-NJ] with the cosponsor support of seven colleagues, the legislation, H.R. 2001, is entitled as the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefields Commemorative Coin Act of 2009.

Mr. Holt is a strong advocate of historic American battlefields.

"The battlefields of the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 provide a unique opportunity for Americans to experience where and how the epic struggle for our nation’s independence took place," Holt said recently.

"Preserving these American historic treasures is essential in remembering the sacrifices that our forefathers made to secure our freedom and independence, and in educating future generations about our rich cultural history."

If H.R. 2001 passes in the House and Senate and is signed by the President, it would authorize the following commemorative coins to be minted in 2011:

• 300,000 $5s, struck in 90 percent gold with a diameter of 0.850 inches

• 1,000,000 silver dollars, composed of 90 percent silver and having a 1.500 inch diameter

• 3,000,000 clad half dollars

Surcharges of $35 per gold coin, $10 per silver coin, and $3 per half dollar would be paid to the "Secretary to the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 Battlefields Foundation for purposes of the preservation of historically significant battlefields of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 and related historical sites."