Will U.S. Mint Issue 2023 Commemoratives?
From 1986 through 2022, the US Mint has issued at least one commemorative coin issue every year. Legislation has already been enacted to issue commemoratives for the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial…
From 1986 through 2022, the US Mint has issued at least one commemorative coin issue every year. Legislation has already been enacted to issue commemoratives for the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial (Public Law 117-163) and the National World War II Memorial (Public Act 117-162) in 2024. But, as of right now, no legislation has been enacted to produce any commemoratives for 2023.
There have been three bills introduced into Congress for 2023 commemorative coins:
H.R. 5232 would issue coins for Working Dogs, those who serve the military, law enforcement, and injured and disabled individuals.
H.R. 6681 would honor the Centennial of the Lincoln Memorial Building.
H.R. 8244 calls for issuing a total of 120 different coins honoring the 20 members of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew, 19 of whom perished on June 30, 2013, while battling the Yarnell Hill Fire in Arizona. Each of the 20 would be individually honored on their own $5 gold, $1 silver and a 50-cent copper-nickel coin in both proof and uncirculated condition.
In my mind, one event that might have been worthy of consideration for a commemorative coin next year would recognize the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, which took place Dec. 16, 1773. However, it is unlikely that any bills now introduced into Congress could receive sufficient action to become law before the end of the term.
Congress will be in session only a handful more days before the 117th Congress concludes at the end of this year. Pending commemorative coin legislation will not be high priority matters, though it is possible one or more might be attached to a bill that is likely to be enacted.
Generally, the U.S. Mint only issues a maximum of two commemorative themes each calendar year, though there can be exceptions. In 1994, the Mint issued six different commemorative programs: Thomas Jefferson 250th Anniversary of Birth (issued in 1994 but dated 1993), World Cup Tournament, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Prisoner of War Museum, Women in Military Service Memorial, and U.S. Capitol Bicentennial. Therefore, it is possible there could be anywhere from zero to three commemorative coin issues in 2023. Stay tuned.
Patrick A. Heller was honored as a 2019 FUN Numismatic Ambassador. He is also the recipient of the American Numismatic Association 2018 Glenn Smedley Memorial Service Award, 2017 Exemplary Service Award, 2012 Harry Forman National Dealer of the Year Award and 2008 Presidential Award. Over the years, he has also been honored by the Numismatic Literary Guild (including twice in 2020), Professional Numismatists Guild, Industry Council for Tangible Assets and the Michigan State Numismatic Society. He is the communications officer of Liberty Coin Service in Lansing, Mich., and writes Liberty’s Outlook, a monthly newsletter on rare coins and precious metals subjects. Past newsletter issues can be viewed at www.libertycoinservice.com. Some of his radio commentaries titled “Things You ‘Know’ That Just Aren’t So, And Important News You Need To Know” can be heard at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday and Friday mornings on 1320-AM WILS in Lansing (which streams live and becomes part of the audio archives posted at www.1320wils.com).
