The United States Mint is set to honor the invaluable contributions of working dogs to American society with gold, silver, and clad commemorative coins slated for release in 2027.
President Biden signed the Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act (Public Law No: 118-109) into law on Nov. 25, paving the way for the U.S. Mint to produce three types of coins in 2027 under the direction of the Department of the Treasury:
- $5 Gold Coins: Capped at 50,000 pieces, each weighing 8.359 grams with 90% gold content.
- $1 Silver Coins: Limited to 500,000 pieces, each weighing 26.73 grams with at least 90% silver.
- Half-Dollar Clad Coins: Restricted to 750,000 pieces, each weighing 11.34 grams.
These coins will be offered in both proof and uncirculated finishes during a one-year release period starting Jan. 1, 2027.
Their designs will symbolize the diverse contributions of working dogs, including their roles in detection, military service, therapy, and assistance. Each coin would bear inscriptions such as "Liberty," "In God We Trust," "United States of America," and "E Pluribus Unum."
The Secretary of the Treasury will select the designs after consulting with America’s VetDogs and the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA). The designs would also be reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC).
Introduced on Feb. 2, 2023, by Rep. Patrick T. McHenry (R-NC), H.R. 807, the Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act, cleared the House on May 21 and received Senate approval on Nov. 19. Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC), introduced a companion bill, S.711, on March 8, 2023.
"Working dogs are deeply embedded in our daily lives here on Capitol Hill and in those of countless veterans, active-duty military personnel, and law enforcement officers across the nation," Congressman Patrick McHenry said in a statement. "I thank the America’s VetDogs team for their work to get this bill passed. Without the leadership of Senator Budd and the bipartisan collaboration from our colleagues across the aisle, this would not have been possible. The Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act is more than just a coin bill, it’s about improving the quality of life of our wounded veterans and first responders and honoring the service dogs who make that possible – something we all can get behind."
"Working dogs help our nation’s active-duty service members, veterans, and first responders recover from injury, enhance their independence, and improve their lives," said Sen Budd. "I commend the Senate and House for passing our bipartisan bill. This commemorative coin will honor the service of working dogs and provide funding to raise more service dogs for America’s heroes. I’m proud to lead this effort to give back to those who serve our country."
Each coin would be sold at a price equal to the sum of its face value, the cost of designing and issuing, plus a surcharge: $35 for each $5 gold coin, $10 per silver dollar, and $5 per half dollar. Provided the coins turn a profit, the surcharges collected would be distributed to America’s VetDogs to support the organization’s mission and cover expenses related to:
- Personnel involved in training, dog care, and meeting consumer needs.
- Consultants assisting in the training of Certified Service Dog Instructors.
- Travel, lodging, and accommodations for clients served by America’s VetDogs.
