Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “$2.50 for America’s 250th Act”.
$2.50 for America’s 250th Act
A BILL
To amend title 31, United States Code, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $2.50 numismatic coins and $2.50 circulating coins, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Findings
Congress finds the following:
The signing of the Declaration of Independence was a turning point in the history of the United States and the world, and the 250th anniversary of the signing warrants national recognition.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Circulating $2.50 coins
In general— Section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(bb) Circulating $2.50 coin
“(1) In general—The Secretary shall mint and issue a $2.50 circulating coin upon determining that minting such coin is technically feasible, economically feasible, and not cost prohibitive.
“(2) Requirements—Each coin minted and issued under this subsection shall—
“(A) have features that make the denomination of the coin readily discernible from other coins; and
“(B) be made of an alloy prescribed by the Secretary.
“(3) Design
“(A) Obverse—The obverse of each coin minted and issued under this subsection shall, during the 5-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.
“(B) Reverse—The reverse of each coin minted and issued under this subsection shall, during the 5-year period beginning on the date the Secretary issues any coin under this subsection, bear the image Independence Hall featured on the gold $2.50 Sesquicentennial Coin issued in 1926.
“(C) Additional inscriptions—During the 5-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”.
“(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.”
Sense of Congress— It is the sense of the Congress that the circulating coin described in subsection (bb) of section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) of this section, should be minted and issued not later than July 4, 2026, or as soon as it is technically and economically feasible.
Sec. 4 Numismatic $2.50 coins
In general— Section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, as amended by section 3 of this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(cc) Numismatic $2.50 coin
“(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.
“(2) Design
“(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.
“(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.
“(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”.
“(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.”
Sense of Congress— It is the sense of the Congress that the numismatic coins described in subsection (cc) of section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, as added by subsection (a) of this section, should be minted and issued not later than July 4, 2026, or as soon as it is technically and economically feasible.