S. 877: Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act

The bill titled the Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act aims to honor the life and legacy of Roberto Clemente, a renowned baseball player and humanitarian. It mandates the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue a series of commemorative coins in recognition of Clemente. Here are the key points of the bill:

1. Coin Specifications

The bill specifies the denominations and characteristics of the coins to be minted:

• $5 Gold Coins: Up to 50,000 coins weighing 8.359 grams, with a diameter of 0.850 inches, containing at least 90% gold.
• $1 Silver Coins: Up to 400,000 coins weighing 26.73 grams, with a diameter of 1.500 inches, 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, made to standard half-dollar specifications.

2. Legal Status

All coins minted under this act will be legal tender and classified as numismatic items, which means they will be recognized as collectible currency.

3. Design of Coins

The design of the coins will reflect Clemente's contributions to baseball and his humanitarian efforts. At least one design will feature his image. The coins will also include inscriptions such as his name, the value of the coin, and the year 2027, alongside phrases like "Liberty," "In God We Trust," and "United States of America."

4. Issuance Period

The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to issue these coins only during the one-year period starting on January 1, 2027.

5. Pricing and Sales

Coins will be sold at a price comprising the face value plus surcharges to cover the minting costs. Specifically:

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

Prepaid orders will be accepted, which may also come at a discount.

6. Revenue Distribution

All proceeds from the surcharges will be directed to the Roberto Clemente Foundation to support its mission, including educational and humanitarian initiatives. This foundation will be subject to audits of the received funds.

7. Financial Assurances

The bill ensures that minting and issuing these coins will not incur any net cost to the government and that costs will be recovered prior to disbursing any funds from the surcharges.

8. Historical Context

Roberto Clemente was born in Puerto Rico in 1934 and became the first Latin American player to achieve numerous milestones in Major League Baseball. He was known not just for his athletic prowess but also for his activism, especially concerning the rights of Black and Latino players. Clemente died in a tragic plane crash in 1972 while on a humanitarian mission. Since then, he has been commemorated through various honors, including the annual Roberto Clemente Award in Major League Baseball, which recognizes community service.

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