S. 4051: National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Coin Act

The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Coin Act is legislation designed to authorize the minting and issuance of commemorative coins in honor of firefighters who have made sacrifices throughout U.S. history, specifically to recognize their service as represented by the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. The bill includes detailed specifications for the coins, their designs, issuance, and the financial management surrounding them.

Coin Specifications

The bill outlines several key specifications for the coins:

• $5 Gold Coins: Up to 50,000 coins, each 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, each 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, each weighing 11.34 grams and having a diameter of 1.205 inches, minted according to existing half-dollar specifications.

Legal Tender Status

The coins created under this Act are classified as legal tender, meaning they can be used as currency within the U.S.

Coin Design

The designs for the coins will symbolize the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial and the historic service of firefighters. Each coin will include:

• The value of the coin
• The year "2029"
• Inscriptions such as "Liberty", "In God We Trust", "United States of America", and "E Pluribus Unum".

The Secretary of the Treasury will select the designs after consulting with the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and they will be reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

Issuance Timeline

The coins will be issued during a specified one-year period, beginning January 1, 2029. They can be released in either uncirculated or proof quality.

Sale of Coins

The Secretary of the Treasury is responsible for selling the coins at prices that reflect:

• The coins' face value
• Additional surcharges
• Costs related to the design and issuance of the coins, including labor and materials.

Bulk sales will be available at a reasonable discount, and prepaid orders may be accepted ahead of the issuance.

Surcharges

Each coin sale will include a surcharge that will contribute to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to support its mission:

• $35 surcharge for each $5 coin
• $10 surcharge for each $1 coin
• $5 surcharge for each half-dollar coin

These funds will be subject to audits to ensure proper management and allocation.

Financial Assurances

The bill mandates that the minting and issuing of the coins must not incur any net cost to the United States Government. Additionally, no funds can be distributed to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation until all production costs are recouped by the Treasury.

Relevant Companies

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