The Senate dismissed its lame duck session status on Monday and passed a bill to "mint and issue $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half dollar clad coins as numismatic items emblematic of the traditions, history, and heritage of the U.S. Army, and its role in American society from the Colonial period to today."

The Senate voted by Unanimous Consent to pass the U.S. Army Commemorative Coin Act, H.R. 5714. A nearly identical Senate bill, S. 2579, previously passed on October 2, 2008. Instead of that legislation moving forward, H.R. 5714 was selected. The House had given their unanimous thumbs up for H.R. 5714 on October 3, 2008.

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The Senate and House passed legislation late last week seeking to commemorate in 2011 — with gold, silver and clad coins — the legacy and founding of the United States Army Infantry in 1775 and the establishment of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.

Both chambers passed nearly identical bills, indicating their full support for the overall legislation. Each version would have the U.S. Mint issue the following uncirculated and proof coins:

• $5 gold coin with a limited mintage of 100,000
• $1 silver dollar with limit of 500,000
• 50c clad limited to 750,000

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