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H.R. 1787: Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act

This bill, known as the Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act, aims to honor the life and legacy of Roberto Clemente by requiring the U.S. Treasury to mint and issue commemorative coins. Here are the key elements of the bill:

Coin Specifications

The Secretary of the Treasury will mint three types of coins:

$5 Gold Coins: Up to 50,000 coins, weighing 8.359 grams, with a diameter of 0.850 inches and containing at least 90% gold.
$1 Silver Coins: Up to 400,000 coins, weighing 26.73 grams, with a diameter of 1.500 inches and containing at least 90% silver.
Half-Dollar Clad Coins: Up to 750,000 coins, weighing 11.34 grams, with a diameter of 1.205 inches, minted according to standard specifications for half-dollar coins.

Design of Coins

The designs for the coins will reflect various aspects of Roberto Clemente's life, including his contributions to baseball and human rights activism. Each coin will feature:

An image of Roberto Clemente on at least one side.
Inscription of his name and the denomination.
The year 2027.
The words "Liberty," "In God We Trust," "United States of America," and "E Pluribus Unum."

The designs will be selected by the Secretary of the Treasury after consultation with the Roberto Clemente Foundation and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

Issuance and Sale of Coins

The coins can be issued in uncirculated and proof qualities, starting only in the calendar year 2027. The sales price of each coin will include:

The coin's face value.
A surcharge designated for the Roberto Clemente Foundation's mission.
The cost of designing and issuing the coins.

There will also be provisions for bulk sales and prepaid orders.

Surcharges

The bill sets specific surcharges for the coins:

$35 for the $5 coin.
$10 for the $1 coin.
$5 for the half-dollar coin.

These surcharges will be directed to the Roberto Clemente Foundation to support its various programs.

Financial Assurances

The Secretary of the Treasury is required to ensure that minting and issuing the coins will not incur any net cost to the U.S. government and that no disbursements are made until the total costs of minting the coins are recovered.

Background on Roberto Clemente

Roberto Clemente was a notable baseball player born in Puerto Rico in 1934. He played 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, achieving significant milestones such as 3,000 hits and winning numerous awards. He was also known for his humanitarian work, especially in the wake of a devastating earthquake in Nicaragua in 1972, during which he died in a plane crash while delivering aid. The bill reflects his impact on both sports and social justice, as he fought against discrimination and advocated for the rights of Afro-Latinos and disabled individuals.