U.S. Senate and House bills introduced in mid-May are calling for commemorative coins in clad, silver and gold to recognize the 100th anniversary of The American Legion.
The Legion (www.legion.org) was charted by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic organization for veterans. It quickly grew into one of the largest veteran’s service organization in the United States.
Named The American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act, the House (H.R.2519) and Senate (S.1182) bills call for up to 50,000 $5 gold coins; a maximum of 400,000 silver dollars; and as many as 750,000 clad half-dollars with designs that are emblematic of the nonprofit organization.
Their designs would be selected by the Treasury Secretary after consulting with the Commission of Fine Arts and the Adjutant of The American Legion, and reviewed by the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee.
We are "honored that the Congress of the United States introduced legislation to commemorate The American Legion’s century of selfless service and great fidelity to our Nation," said Charles E. Schmidt, National Commander of The American Legion. "This coin will memorialize the legacy of millions of veterans across the generations."
The U.S. Mint would strike the coins in collector qualities of proof and uncirculated and offer them for sale during calendar year 2019.
Both bills are before committees and are enjoying strong and early bipartisan support. The Senate bill now has 30 cosponsors while the House bill has 113 cosponsors. They were were introduced on May 18, 2017. Congressmen Tim Walz (D-MN) and Phil Roe (R-TN) brought forward H.R.2519 and Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Joe Donnelly (D-IN) introduced S.1182.
"The American Legion’s long track record of successful advocacy speaks for itself," Sen. Young said. "This commemorative coin will honor those achievements along with helping to continue advocacy work that improves the lives of veterans."
Sales of the commemorative coins would include surcharges for the Legion for costs related to:
- promoting the importance of and caring for those who have served in uniform, ensuring they receive proper health care and disability benefits earned through military service;
- promoting the importance of, and caring for, those who are still serving in the Armed Forces;
- promoting the importance of maintaining the patriotic values, morals, culture, and citizenship of the United States; and
- promoting the importance of maintaining strong families, assistance for at-risk children, and activities that promote their healthy and wholesome development.
For the act to become law, it must pass in the House and Senate and get signed by the President.
I hope this act does become law and the coins are issued in 2019, which will give commemorative collectors an alternative to the excesses involved with the domed coins in the Apollo program.
Yet another three coin porogram. How about just a silver dollar? Ugh.
This is a much better group for a coin then either Lion’s or Boys Town, will sell some #s I would think. The Mint has to avoid becoming a non-profit group coin producer…..
I can’t think of a more deserving group to be honored with a commemorative coin or coins. But please, US Mint, avoid your disgusting politically correct designs!