A new U.S. Senate bill was introduced this month that calls for gold, silver and clad coins to commemorate the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Entitled the Pro Football Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act and numbered S. 1842, this bill is nearly identical to past versions brought forward in both the Senate and House. Its key difference to the immediate prior Senate version, S. 203, is moving the issuing year for the coins to 2017 from 2016. That matches the House version, H.R. 1653, which was presented in April.
Introduced by Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH] on Dec. 17, 2013, the main aspects of S. 1842 seek:
- Up to 50,000 $5 gold coins
- Up to 400,000 silver dollar
- Up to 750,000 clad half-dollars
- Production of coins in proof and uncirculated qualities
- Coin designs that are emblematic of the game of professional football
2017 Pro Football Hall of Fame Commemorative Coins would get struck by the United States Mint to specifications shared by other modern U.S. commemorative coins.
S. 1842 calls for sale prices to include surcharges in the amounts of $35 for every $5 gold coin, $10 per silver dollar and $5 for each half-dollar. Collected amounts would be distributed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame to help finance the construction of a new building and renovation of existing Pro Football Hall of Fame facilities.
The new Senate bill has 24 cosponsors. The House version, H.R. 1653, has 34 cosponsors. Both bills are in committees. For coin legislation to become law, it must pass in the House and Senate and get signed by the President of the United States.
What may give one of these bills an improved chance of passing Congress is that the National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act won approval, becoming Public Law 112-152. Next year, the United States Mint will issue gold, silver and clad National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coins that are curved in shape, a first for the Mint.
