25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act
- Bill Number
- S. 1289
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Finance and Financial Sector
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-03: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-19T11:03:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill, titled the "25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act," directs the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue special commemorative coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins aim to honor the victims, survivors, first responders, and the nation's resilience while raising funds through surcharges to support the operations and programs of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center.
Key Provisions
- Background Findings: The bill outlines the events of September 11, 2001, including the loss of 2,977 lives across New York City (2,753 deaths from plane crashes into the Twin Towers), the Pentagon (184 deaths), and Pennsylvania (40 deaths from United Airlines Flight 93). It highlights the sacrifices of 441 first responders, long-term health impacts from exposure to debris (affecting tens of thousands), and the role of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in remembrance, education, and support for affected individuals.
- Coin Specifications:
- Up to 50,000 gold $5 coins (8.359 grams, 0.850-inch diameter, at least 90% gold).
- Up to 400,000 silver $1 coins (26.73 grams, 1.500-inch diameter, at least 90% silver).
- Coins are legal tender (acceptable for paying debts) and classified as numismatic items (collectible coins under U.S. law).
- Design Requirements:
- Designs must symbolize the courage, sacrifice, bravery of rescuers, and resilience of survivors, with at least one coin inscribed "Never Forget."
- All coins include the value, "Liberty," "In God We Trust," "United States of America," "E Pluribus Unum," and "25th Anniversary."
- Designs selected by the Secretary after consulting the National September 11 Memorial and Museum and the Commission of Fine Arts, then reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (a public advisory group on coin designs).
- Issuance and Production:
- Available in uncirculated (standard finish) and proof (high-quality, polished) versions.
- Congress expresses a preference for minting at the U.S. Mint in West Point, New York.
- Issuance limited to a one-year period starting January 1, 2027.
- Sales and Pricing:
- Sold at face value plus a surcharge (detailed below) plus production costs (e.g., labor, materials, marketing).
- Bulk purchases offered at discounts; prepaid orders allowed with discounts.
- Surcharges: $35 per gold coin and $10 per silver coin, directed to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum for operations and maintenance (after audits to ensure proper use).
- If this program would exceed the annual limit of two commemorative coin programs under existing law, no surcharges apply that year.
- Financial Safeguards:
- Ensures no net cost to the federal government; surcharges are only distributed after all production costs are recovered.
- The museum must undergo audits for received funds.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill does not fundamentally alter existing U.S. coin-minting laws (e.g., under Title 31 of the U.S. Code, which governs legal tender, numismatic items, and commemorative programs). Instead, it authorizes a new, specific commemorative coin program within the established framework, including the annual limit on such programs and requirements for cost recovery and audits. It adds tailored design elements and surcharge allocations to support the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, which were not previously specified in law for this event.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Treasury and Mint will handle design, production, sales, and distribution without using taxpayer funds (costs covered by sales). This could increase workload at the West Point Mint but promotes self-funding for cultural preservation.
- On Citizens: Provides an opportunity for the public, especially coin collectors and those connected to 9/11, to purchase meaningful commemorative items. Indirectly supports health, education, and remembrance programs for survivors, first responders, and families affected by long-term 9/11-related illnesses (e.g., from toxic exposure).
- On International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill focuses on domestic commemoration of a U.S. national tragedy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Treasury and Mint: Responsible for minting, designing, and selling the coins.
- National September 11 Memorial and Museum: Primary beneficiary of surcharges for operations, maintenance, education, and support services for victims' families, survivors, and rescue workers.
- 9/11 Survivors, Families, and First Responders: Benefit from enhanced museum programs addressing ongoing physical and mental health needs.
- General Public and Coin Collectors: Can purchase coins to commemorate the event, with proceeds aiding remembrance efforts.
- Advisory Bodies: Commission of Fine Arts and Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee involved in design oversight.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces federal support for nonprofit cultural institutions like the 9/11 Museum without direct appropriations, adhering to laws on commemorative coins (e.g., ensuring audits and cost neutrality to prevent misuse of funds). The surcharge limitation ties into broader caps on commemorative programs to avoid market saturation.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; the bill falls under Congress's enumerated power to coin money (Article I, Section 8) and promote general welfare through remembrance and education.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (by Senators Gillibrand, Capito, and Schumer) underscores national unity on 9/11 remembrance. It highlights ongoing recognition of the attacks' long-term effects, potentially influencing future funding or policy for veteran and survivor health programs, while avoiding partisan debates by structuring as a self-funded initiative.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Cosponsors (32)
Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV], Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY], Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC], Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX], Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV], Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME], Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD], Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK], Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT], Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX], Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE], Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA], Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR], Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS], Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-03: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 2025-04-03: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act — issued 2025-04-03 — PDF (9 pages)