Last week, President Biden signed H.R. 1057, the Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Act, into law. The President was presented the bill on August 2nd and signed it on August 3rd. The Act now is known as Public Law 117-162. You can read the full text of the new law here. Previously, the bill had been known as the National World War II Memorial Commemorative Act, but the final legislation took on the name of the Senate version of the bill.
The bill had originally be set to have the coins produced in 2023 but delays have now pushed it to be a part of the 2024 release schedule from the United States Mint. The renaming of the bill to the Greatest Generation act was done as it is more reflective of the generation who fought in World War II, but proceeds of sales will still go to the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C..
This latest coin and numismatic related legislation calls for the production of commemorative coins to honor the national World War II memorial that is located in Washington, D.C. The memorial is located on the East end of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall and was dedicated in May 2004.
The bill was introduced by Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) on February 15, 2021 into the 117th Congress. After being introduced, it was passed to the House Financial Services committee for further actions. The text of H.R. 1057 can be found here. The bill calls for the designs of the coins to be “shall be emblematic of the National World War II Memorial and the service and sacrifice of American soldiers and civilians during World War II.”. It also calls out that the coin would not be produced until 2024.
The bill requires the following coins to be produced:
- $5 Gold Coin with a mintage of no more than 50,000
- $1 Silver Coin with a mintage no more than 400,000
- Half Dollar Clad Coin with a mintage of no more than 300,000
As is normally the case, the bill calls for a surcharge to be added to the price of the coins. As is normally the case, a surcharge will be applied to these coins. In this bill, it is called out that those surcharges will be paid by the Secretary to the Friends of the National World War II Memorial to support the National Park Service in maintaining and repairing the National World War II Memorial, and for educational and commemorative programs.
The surcharges will be $35 on the $5 gold coin, $10 for the silver dollar, and $5 for the half dollar.