Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act Passes Senate

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NASA photo of Christa McAuliffe
A NASA photo of Christa McAuliffe

Coins honoring Christa McAuliffe are a step closer to reality with the Senate’s passage Tuesday, July 9, of the Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act of 2019, S. 239.

If the bipartisan legislation becomes law, the United States Mint in 2021 will produce and sell up to 350,000 silver dollars featuring McAuliffe, the first teacher chosen to go into space. McAuliffe was among the seven crew members killed in the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion on Jan. 28, 1986.

The commemorative coins would be produced in collector qualities of proof and uncirculated and contain at least 90% silver. Their obverse (heads side) would feature an image of McAuliffe while their reverse would portray her legacy as a teacher.

A surcharge of $10 would be added to the price of each dollar with proceeds, provided the coins turn a profit, paid to "the FIRST robotics program for the purpose of engaging and inspiring young people, through mentor-based programs, to become leaders in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics."

S.239 was introduced January 28 and saw strong support with 83 senators as cosponsors.

An almost identical bill, H.R. 500, was introduced in the House on January 11. It currently has 307 cosponsors. In the one major difference from S. 239, it calls for the silver dollars to be minted and sold in 2020.

For legislation to become law, it must pass in the House and Senate and get signed by the President.

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Jim O’Neill

Ok, but how about honoring the other six people killed on that launch?? What about ALL those who have paid the ultimate price in sacrifice to advance humanity’s expansion into the Universe???

gary

Count me in

Seth Riesling

gary –

Count me in too! The $10 surcharge will go to a great cause – education.

NumisdudeTX

Christopher Williams

I am also in. I remember that day so vividly.

I was working 2nd shift back in my computer days and was looking forward to watching the launch.

RIP All.

Ernesto

I think the whole crew should be commemorated not just Ms McAuliffe. I hope that gets changed.

lonnie

i agree, honor the whole crew.

Domenic

Seems more like they should honor the entire crew even if its all individual coins and make a set.

Christopher Williams

Very good point guys.

Barb

I agree with the other comments – all the crew should be honored – possible set of silver dollars.

c_q

Not sure why only one of the 7 folks gets a coin for this. Yeah, sure the ‘first teacher in space’ got a lot more attention than the other folks, but they all suffered the same fate. I would think the families of the other astronauts might feel slighted.