H.R. 5616

119 HR 5616 EH: $2.50 for America’s 250th Act
 U.S. House of Representatives
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 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
 I
 119th CONGRESS  2d Session
 H. R. 5616
 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 AN ACT
To amend title 31, United States Code, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $2.50 numismatic coins, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   $2.50 for America’s 250th Act  .
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)
The 68th Congress celebrated this fact by authorizing the United States Mint to commemorate the 150th anniversary of American independence by issuing $2.50 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.
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:
(bb)
Numismatic $2.50 coin
(1)
In general
The Secretary may mint and issue—
(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 contain not less than 90 percent gold;
(B)
not more than 300,000 $2.50 numismatic coins, each of which shall weigh 26.73 grams, have a diameter of 1.5 inches, and contain not less than 90 percent silver; and
(C)
not more than 750,000 $2.50 numismatic coins, each of which shall weigh 11.34 grams, have a diameter of 1.205 inches, and be minted to the specifications for half-dollar coins contained in section 5112(b) of title 31, United States Code.
(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 .
  .
(b)
Sense of Congress
It is the sense of the Congress that the numismatic coins described in section 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.
4.
Study and Report
(a)
Study
The Secretary of the Treasury, acting through the Director of the United States Mint shall conduct a comprehensive study to evaluate the feasibility, practicality, and potential public benefits of minting and issuing a $2.50 coin for wide circulation in the United States.
(b)
Report
The Secretary of the Treasury, acting through the Director of the United States Mint shall, not later than September 15, 2026, submit a report to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate about the study carried out under subsection (a) that includes—
(1)
an analysis of the historical use of the $2.50 denomination;
(2)
projected production costs associated with minting and issuing a $2.50 coin for wide circulation;
(3)
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)
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)
proposed physical characteristics of a $2.50 coin, including—
(A)
composition;
(B)
weight;
(C)
diameter; and
(D)
design features to distinguish the $2.50 coin from existing coins;
(6)
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)
an analysis that estimates the potential seigniorage associated with a widely circulated $2.50 coin; and
(8)
a plan that could be followed to mint and issue a $2.50 coin that includes—
(A)
coordination with the Federal Reserve System and financial institutions;
(B)
a test production phase; and
(C)
an initial phased circulation.
     Passed the House of Representatives February 9, 2026.  Kevin F. McCumber,  Clerk.