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H.R. 5616 — what changed

$2.50 for America’s 250th Act

From Introduced in House to Engrossed in House. 3 sections amended between Introduced in House and Engrossed in House.

Sec. 2 Findings

Congress finds the following:

(1)
The 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence was a turning point in the history of the United States and the world that warrants national recognition.
(2)
changed The 68th Congress celebrated this fact by authorizing the United States Mint to commemorate the 150th anniversary of American independence by issuing 2 coins: a half dollar and a $2.50 gold piece.coins.
(3)
The issuance of a $2.50 anniversary coin for the 250th anniversary serves as a historically grounded continuation of this numismatic tradition and connects Americans today with a legacy of national celebration through coinage.
(4)
The design and distribution of this coin offer a unique and accessible opportunity for the American people to engage with and take personal ownership of their national heritage through a tangible and lasting tribute.
(5)
Every citizen deserves the opportunity to acquire such a coin as a means to connect to the founding principles of liberty, democracy, and self-governance.
(6)
In addition to the congressionally authorized activities already planned by the mint, this new anniversary coin will serve not only as a lasting tribute to the founding generation and the ideals we share with them to this day, but also as a unifying and educational gesture on the occasion of the semiquincentennial.

Sec. 3 Minting and issuing of $2.50 numismatic coins

(a)
In general— Section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

changed “(bb) Circulating Numismatic $2.50 coin

changed “(1) In general—The Secretary shall may mint and issue a $2.50 circulating coin upon determining that minting such coin is technically feasible, economically feasible, and not cost prohibitive.issue—

changed “(2) Requirements—Each coin minted “(A) not more than 100,000 $2.50 numismatic coins, each of which shall weigh 4.1795 grams, have a diameter of 0.425 inches, and issued under this subsection shall—contain not less than 90 percent gold;

changed “(A) “(B) not more than 300,000 $2.50 numismatic coins, each of which shall weigh 26.73 grams, have features that make the denomination a diameter of the coin readily discernible from other coins; 1.5 inches, and contain not less than 90 percent silver; and

changed “(B) be made “(C) not more than 750,000 $2.50 numismatic coins, each of an alloy prescribed by which shall weigh 11.34 grams, have a diameter of 1.205 inches, and be minted to the Secretary.specifications for half-dollar coins contained in section 5112(b) of title 31, United States Code.

changed “(3) “(2) Design

changed “(A) Obverse—The obverse design of each any coin minted and issued under this subsection shall, during the 5-year 2-year period beginning on the date the Secretary issues any coin under this subsection, bear the image of allegorical liberty wielding the Declaration of Independence featured on the gold $2.50 Sesquicentennial Coin issued in 1926.

changed “(B) Reverse—The reverse design of each any coin minted and issued under this subsection shall, during the 5-year 2-year period beginning on the date the Secretary issues any coin under this subsection, bear the image of Independence Hall featured on the gold $2.50 Sesquicentennial Coin issued in 1926.

changed “(C) Additional inscriptions—During the 5-year 2-year period beginning on the date the Secretary issues any coin under this subsection, each coin minted and issued under this subsection shall bear the inscriptions “Semiquincentennial of the United States” and “1776–2026”.“1776–2026”.”

removed “(D) Subsequent designs—Beginning on the date that is 5 years after the Secretary issues a coin under this subsection, and every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary may select a new design that celebrates the founding of the United States for the $2.50 coin.”

(b)
changed Sense of Congress— It is the sense of the Congress that the circulating coin numismatic coins described in section 5112(b)(b) 5112(bb) of title 31, United States Code, should be minted and issued not later than July 4, 2026, or as soon as it is technically and economically feasible.

Sec. 4 Study and Report

(a)
changed In general—Study— Section 5112 The Secretary of title 31, the Treasury, acting through the Director of the United States Code, is further amended by adding at Mint shall conduct a comprehensive study to evaluate the end feasibility, practicality, and potential public benefits of minting and issuing a $2.50 coin for wide circulation in the following:United States.

removed “(cc) Numismatic $2.50 coin

removed “(1) In general—The Secretary may mint and issue $2.50 numismatic coins in silver, clad, and such other alloys, including gold, as the Secretary determines in accordance with such program procedures and coin specifications, varieties, quantities, and inscriptions as the Secretary, in the Secretary’s discretion, may prescribe from time to time.

removed “(2) Design

removed “(A) Obverse—The obverse design of any coin minted and issued under this subsection shall, during the 2-year period beginning on the date the Secretary issues any coin under this subsection, bear the image of allegorical liberty wielding the Declaration of Independence featured on the gold $2.50 Sesquicentennial Coin issued in 1926.

removed “(B) Reverse—The reverse design of any coin minted and issued under this subsection shall, during the 2-year period beginning on the date the Secretary issues any coin under this subsection, bear the image of Independence Hall featured on the gold $2.50 Sesquicentennial Coin issued in 1926.

removed “(C) Additional inscriptions—During the 2-year period beginning on the date the Secretary issues any coin under this subsection, each coin minted and issued under this subsection shall bear the inscriptions “Semiquincentennial of the United States” and “1776–2026”.

removed “(D) Subsequent designs—Beginning on the date that is 2 years after the date on which the Secretary issues any coin under this subsection, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary may select a new design that celebrates the founding of the United States for the $2.50 coin.”

(b)
changed Sense of Congress—Report— It is the sense The Secretary of the Congress that Treasury, acting through the numismatic coins described in section 5112(c)(c) Director of title 31, the United States Code, should be minted and issued Mint shall, not later than July 4, September 15, 2026, or as soon as it is technically submit a report to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and economically feasible.the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate about the study carried out under subsection (a) that includes—
(1)
added an analysis of the historical use of the $2.50 denomination;
(2)
added projected production costs associated with minting and issuing a $2.50 coin for wide circulation;
(3)
added the cost-effectiveness of minting and issuing a $2.50 coin for wide circulation when compared to the costs associated with minting and issuing other coins;
(4)
added an evaluation of potential benefits to commerce, coin handling, and transaction efficiency that would be associated with the minting and issuing a $2.50 coin for wide circulation;
(5)
added proposed physical characteristics of a $2.50 coin, including—
(A)
added composition;
(B)
added weight;
(C)
added diameter; and
(D)
added design features to distinguish the $2.50 coin from existing coins;
(6)
added a description of the ways in which the Secretary consulted with stakeholders, including commercial banks, cash-handling businesses, consumer groups, and vending and transit industries;
(7)
added an analysis that estimates the potential seigniorage associated with a widely circulated $2.50 coin; and
(8)
added a plan that could be followed to mint and issue a $2.50 coin that includes—
(A)
added coordination with the Federal Reserve System and financial institutions;
(B)
added a test production phase; and
(C)
added an initial phased circulation.