On Friday, December 9, during an early evening session under suspension of the rules, the Senate passed the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act (H.R. 2726). Since the bill was passed in the evening, it will be engrossed.
When a bill from congress is passed it is then engrossed. Engrossing a bill is the formal printing of the bill parchment or other paper of suitable quality, signed by the Speaker of the House and the designated presiding officer of the Senate (either the Vice President, President Pro-tempore, or the Majority Leader), and then sent to the White House for the President’s signature. When the president signs the engrossed bill, it then becomes law and given a Public Law number. The Public Law number is made up of the session congress, 114 as the 114th congress, and a sequence number.
I suspect that before the end of the week, the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act will be the law!
“Buzz Aldrin on the Moon” taken July 20, 1969 by Neil Armstrong
Under a motion to suspend the rules and pass as agreed, the House of Representatives passed by unanimous consent the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act (H.R. 2726) during an afternoon session on December 5, 2016.
Apollo 11 has to be one of the top defining events of the 20th century. It captured the imagination of not only the United States but the world in a way nothing else could. Landing on the moon and having the Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins safely return to earth using the technology of the day was a feat beyond imagination. And getting there before the blasted Soviets after they beat us into space for quite a number of years was also a big deal during the Cold War.
Now that the bill has passed, it is formally enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House. It is sent to the Senate for their consideration. Hopefully, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will put it on the schedule and get this passed without issue.
In case you forgot, here is what the bill requires for the Apollo 11 commemorative coins:
Commemorative program issued in 2019
Required design elements:
Convex in shape “to more closely resemble the faceplate of the astronaut’s helmet of the time”
“The Secretary shall hold a juried, compensated competition to determine the design of the common obverse of the coins minted under this Act, with such design being emblematic of the United States space program leading up to the first manned Moon landing.”
Winning designer to receive no less than $5,000 for their design.
Common reverse design “shall be a representation of a close-up of the famous ‘Buzz Aldrin on the Moon’ photograph taken July 20, 1969, showing just the visor and part of the helmet of astronaut Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin, in which the visor reflects the image of the United States flag, astronaut Neil Armstrong, and the lunar lander.”
Congress returned to work right after Labor Day, not that you would have noticed. Aside from the legislation that renames most offices or other federal structures in honor of someone most of us have never hear about, congress was locked in a battle over the federal budget that was to expire on September 30. Of course, the fights were based on partisan politics. Rather than doing what is right for the nation, these hacks broke down into partisan bickering. A continuing resolution, not a real budget, was passed on September 29. They have until December 9 to fix their problems.
In another part of my life, I write a monthly newsletter for the Gold & Silver Political Action Committee. The PAC was started by former American Numismatic Association President Barry Stuppler to help be a voice for issues facing the numismatic and bullion industry. As part of my research into issues, I speak with staffers and other contacts on Capitol Hill to provide background information on the PAC’s issues.
This past month I used an opportunity to have a discussion about the state of congress with two lobbyists. Both are former staffers working with members on opposite sides of the aisle and have been working in the halls of congress since early in the Clinton administration. Neither were optimistic that congress would accomplish anything, even during the lame duck session after the election. With the budget battle looming and the unsettle Supreme Court nomination, neither of these professionals were optimistic.
For some of us, watching congress is a sport. While it might be as painful as watching the 1962 New York Mets or the 2003 Detroit Tigers or waiting for the Cubs to win the World Series, I will continue to report potential legislation that may affect modern collecting.
Only one bill was introduced in September:
H.R. 6025 American Innovation $1 Coin Act
Sponsor: Rep. James Himes (D-CT)
• Summary: Redesign and issuance of $1 coins honoring innovation, innovators, and pioneers from each State, the District of Columbia, and each territory.
• Introduced: September 14, 2016
• Referred to the House Financial Services Committee
Toys for Tots is a charitable organization founded in 1947 by Major Bill Hendricks, a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve officer. MAJ Hendricks was inspired by his wife who wanted to donate a homemade Raggedy Ann doll to a needy child in the Los Angeles are but could not find an organization that could help. He organized other reservists and collected 5,000 toys to distribute in the Los Angeles area during the Christmas season.
Although Toys for Tots has been only accepting new toys since 1980 because of the time to process used toys, every year the organization collects millions of toys to make Christmas brighter for children who would not otherwise receive toys. It is consistently rated one of the top charities in many different rankings and can boast one of the largest program to support services ratio. In 2015, Toys for Totsreported that only 3-percent of their monetary donations were used for administrative and support services.
Charities are trying to survive as donations have fallen since the Great Recession of 2008. Their balance sheets are getting better but many have not recovered to pre-recession levels. When they mail their letters asking for donation, most charities have added “prizes” to their request in order to get your attention. Some of the usual gimmicks have been address labels, stamps to mail back the donation, and some have added a nickel to the response form asking that it be returned with the donation. I have also received a lot of stickers and religious-based charms.
As a supporter of Toys for Tots, I recently received a request for donation. Rather than having any of the usual gimmicks a medal was attached to the request. Not an ordinary medal but a bronze medal for the Toys for Tots program. The 26mm medal (a quarter is 24.26mm) features the Toys for Tots logo on one side and the U.S. Marine Corps logo on the other. The 2mm thin (a quarter is 1.75mm) medal has an antiqued finish.
Tots for Tots Challenge Coin
Tots for Tots Challenge Coin with Marine Corps Logo
A tradition of military organizations is the presenting of challenge coins. They are part of military tradition that started during World War I when Ivy League students went to war and created these coins as an act of camaraderie. Typically, a challenge coin is a small medal, usually no larger than 2-inches in diameter, with the insignia or emblem of the organization. Two-sided challenge coins may have the emblem of the service on the front and the back has the emblem of the division or other representative service. Challenge coins are traditionally given by a commander in recognition of special achievement or can be exchange as recognition for visiting an organization.
While the size of this Toys for Tots medal is smaller than the typical challenge coin, it can be considered a challenge coin. A challenge coin given by the Marine Foundation to their donors in recognition of the support of the organization.
I appreciate the recognition from the Marine Foundation and will continue to be a supporter for the Toys for Tots program.
At the beginning of each month, I review the previous month’s activity in congress looking for numismatic nuggets that we hope will bring us new coins to collect. However, congress has been on their summer vacation since mid-July, right before the conventions.
There are two ways of looking at congress being away for at least seven weeks: they get how much vacation while the rest of us have to work? At least they aren’t doing anything to mess things up further.
If congress sticks to their own law of two commemorative programs per year, the next available year is 2019. Although most commemorative programs are fund raising programs, let’s have one that has some meaning. Maybe at some point, in between budget battles, congress will pass Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act.
The Apollo space program has to be one of the greatest accomplishments this nation has made at least in the 20th century. We were challenged by President Kennedy to make it to the moon and to return the astronauts safely back to earth. And in 1969, after getting beat at every milestone into space, Apollo 11 landed on the moon and safely returned their three astronaut payload to Earth before the Soviet Union could do so.
Apollo 11 was one of the most impactful memories of my youth, especially for that year. It only rivals rushing home from school (we had to walk in those days but I think I ran that day) to watch the last out of the 1969 World Series to begin that celebration!
Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) introduced the bill in the Senate on May 19, 2016 (S. 2957) and Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL) introduced the same bill in the House of Representatives on June 10, 2016 (H.R. 2726). Both bills have been referred to committee.
If congress passes either of these bills, it would create the following commemorative program:
Commemorative program issued in 2014
Required design elements:
Convex in shape “to more closely resemble the faceplate of the astronaut’s helmet of the time”
“The Secretary shall hold a juried, compensated competition to determine the design of the common obverse of the coins minted under this Act, with such design being emblematic of the United States space program leading up to the first manned Moon landing.”
Winning designer to receive no less than $5,000 for their design.
Common reverse design “shall be a representation of a close-up of the famous ‘Buzz Aldrin on the Moon’ photograph taken July 20, 1969, showing just the visor and part of the helmet of astronaut Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin, in which the visor reflects the image of the United States flag, astronaut Neil Armstrong, and the lunar lander.”
Considering how times have changed and we seem to have a different look on the space program, it would be wonderful to honor this achievement to remind everyone of the accomplishment.
Thanks to congressional lawmaking, the U.S. Mint is holding competition for the two commemorative coin programs that will be issued in 2018. Earlier this year, the competition was opened for designs of the 2018 World War I Centennial Commemorative silver dollar. Now, the U.S. Mint has begun a competition for the 2018 Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coins.
Signed into law on April 20, 2016 by President Obama (Public Law 114-148), the law requires the U.S. Mint to have an “juried competition” for a design “emblematic of the fight against breast cancer.” As part of the design, the law says that “The Secretary shall encourage three-dimensional designs to be submitted as part of the proposals.”
There is a caveat: you have to be an artist of some type and a U.S. citizen 18 years of age or older. You can read the Official Rules on the U.S. Mint website, but in summary Phase I of the competition is the evaluation of three-to-five examples of your work submitted digitally to the U.S. Mint. You have to be able to submit a digital portfolio. Even if your work is good and you think you can be part of the competition, you either have to be able to take a good picture of your work or find a photographer who can help.
An “expert” will review the submissions and select no more than 20 artists for the second phase.
In Phase II, those selected artists will be asked to submit one design along with a plaster model of both the obverse and reverse for the proposed coin that includes all of the necessary elements required of a coin. Only one artist’s design will be selected. The winning artist will receive “not less than $5,000.” If your design is selected, you will have your name etched in numismatic lore for being the designer of the coin. For this, your initials will appear on the coin, the Certificate of Authenticity, and in places like the Red Book!
Summary of the Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Program
Commemorative coins issued in 2018
Design, emblematic of the fight against breast cancer, selected from a juried competition with no less than $5,000 going to winning design
“The Secretary shall encourage three-dimensional designs to be submitted as part of the proposals”
50,000 $5 “pink gold” coins with an alloy of at least 75-percent gold with a $35 surcharge
400,000 one-ounce silver dollars made with not less than 90-percent silver with a $10 surcharge
750,000 clad half-dollar coins with a $5 surcharge
Surcharges will be distributed to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of New York, to further breast cancer research funded by the Foundation.
Pink gold can has been more commonly described as “rose gold.” Rose gold is an alloy of 75-percent gold with 20-percent copper and 5-percent silver. The color can be adjusted by changing the ratio of copper and silver.
It has been another head scratching month for us policy wonks who watch congress for more than the political theater, although both sides of the aisle provided quite a sideshow this month. With the ever eroding sense of civility, there was a few numismatic-related items that occurred. Introduced as a matched, related bills are proposals for commemoratives in 2020 and 2021:
H.R. 5598 Plymouth 400th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act of 2016
Sponsor: Rep. William Keating (D-MA)
• Introduced: June 28, 2016
• Referred to the House Financial Services Committee
The bill calls for 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 clad half-dollar with the usual surcharges ($35, $10, and $5 respectively), to be divided up between five related organizations surrounding the landing of the settlers at Plymouth Rock including 50-percent Plymouth 400, Inc., the organization formed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to manage the celebration.
Similarly, Sen. Markey and Rep, Keating are sponsoring bill (S. 3104 and H.R. 5599) “To establish the Plymouth 400th Commemoration Commission.” Not sure why this is necessary since it looks like Massachusetts’ “Plymouth 400” seems to have things covered.
Finally, the Senate Appropriations Committee reported on S. 3067, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2017 which will allow the U.S. Mint to withdraw up to $20 million from the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund for its operations.
When I went to graduate school for a degree in public policy, I had no idea that the basic tenants of politics would change so drastically. Watching what congress is saying, what they are doing, and the response by the media and public has been something that historians will have a good time with in the future. Today, it is difficult to keep up with policy issues that are not discussed in sound bites or come with bumper sticker-sized slogans. Thankfully, there are Internet resources for those of us to keep track of our pet issues.
Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016 (S. 2815). This bill is the same as H.R. 4875 introduced in the House by Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-PA) in March. Both bills seek to create a commission to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026 similar to the bicentennial celebration of 1976. See last month’s legislative report for more information. It is common for bills like this to be introduced in both chambers hoping one will be passed.
Summary of the Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Act
Commemorative coins issued in 2018
Design, emblematic of the fight against breast cancer, selected from a juried competition with no less than $5,000 going to winning design
“The Secretary shall encourage three-dimensional designs to be submitted as part of the proposals”
50,000 $5 “pink gold” coins with an alloy of at least 75-percent gold with a $35 surcharge
400,000 one-ounce silver dollars made with not less than 90-percent silver with a $10 surcharge
750,000 clad half-dollar coins with a $5 surcharge
Surcharges will be distributed to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of New York, to further breast cancer research funded by the Foundation.
iPhone 6S in Rose Gold
Pink gold can has been more commonly described as rose gold. Rose gold is an alloy of 75-percent gold with 20-percent copper and 5-pecent silver. The color can be adjusted by changing the ratio of copper and silver. Although not made of precious metals, the Apple iPhone offers an option in rose gold. The illustration here is to give readers a conceptual vision of the color that could appear on the coin.
I have said that I do not like painted coins then I admit to buying painted coins.
So far, I have stayed away from strictly screen printed and lenticular printed coins but I have lauded some painted coins and added them to my collection.
If there is something that I prefer over everything else is a coin whose design is based on the engraving. For that reason, I have complemented and purchased $20 for $20 coins from the Royal Canadian Mint. Their $20 for $20 program produces .9999 pure silver coins sold with the face value of $20 (in Canadian funds). They are available directly from the RCM to Canadian and United States buyers only.
Last year, I purchased the Bugs Bunny and the Superman “Man of Steel” coins directly from the Royal Canadian Mint. My final price was $16.46 each in U.S. dollars after the exchange rate and the credit card company’s conversion fee. Sure these are gimmick coins, but I like the themes.
This year, the RCM has issued a Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice $20 for $20 coin. With a mintage of 300,000 coins, numismatists who are also fans of the movie can add this silver coin to their collection. Based on the image, it appears that Superman is overpowering Batman.
Looking at the coin’s aesthetics, it is a good looking coin. The artists at the RCM are very capable and have come up with really nice designs. While the concept of the $20 for $20 (US$15.14 as I type this) may be somewhat of a gimmick for a coin with 7.96 grams of silver ($3.90 when silver is $15.32 per ounce), the design is engraved art struck into a silver planchet that is affordable for many collectors.
I have not had the opportunity to see the movie. I do enjoy comics and comic-related stories, but I am not a hardcore fan. I like both characters and have always been a fan of Wonder Woman now played by Gal Godot. But the coin intrigues me. I might buy the coin before seeing the movie!
Like any good movie, here is the “trailer” the Royal Canadian Mint produced for the coin:
On Friday, December 9, during an early evening session under suspension of the rules, the Senate passed the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act (H.R. 2726). Since the bill was passed in the evening, it will be engrossed.
Congress returned to work right after Labor Day, not that you would have noticed. Aside from the legislation that renames most offices or other federal structures in honor of someone most of us have never hear about, congress was locked in a battle over the federal budget that was to expire on September 30. Of course, the fights were based on partisan politics. Rather than doing what is right for the nation, these hacks broke down into partisan bickering. A continuing resolution, not a real budget, was passed on September 29. They have until December 9 to fix their problems.
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