In one of his final acts as the President of the United States, President Joe Biden has signed into law the Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act. The act, now Public Law No: 118-109, was signed on November 25, 2024, and allows the United States Mint to produce three coins in 2027 that honor Working Dogs.
The three coins, which will be available in proof and uncirculated finishes will be:
- $5 Gold Coins: Capped at 50,000 pieces, each weighing 8.359 grams with 90% gold content.
- $1 Silver Coins: Limited to 500,000 pieces, each weighing 26.73 grams with at least 90% silver.
- Half-Dollar Clad Coins: Restricted to 750,000 pieces, each weighing 11.34 grams.
The coins will be available during a one-year release window starting January 1, 2027.
The law calls for the coin designs to symbolize the diverse contributions of working dogs, including their roles in military service, therapy, assistance, and detection.
The Secretary of the Treasury will selected designs after consulting with America’s VetDogs and the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA). After that, the CCAC will review the final designs.
Introduced on Feb. 2, 2023, by Rep. Patrick T. McHenry (R-NC), H.R. 807, the Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act, cleared the House on May 21 and received Senate approval on Nov. 19. Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC), introduced a companion bill, S.711, on March 8, 2023.
Each coin would be sold at a price equal to the sum of its face value, the cost of designing and issuing, plus a surcharge: $35 for each $5 gold coin, $10 per silver dollar, and $5 per half dollar. Provided the coins turn a profit, the surcharges collected would be distributed to America’s VetDogs to support the organization’s mission and cover expenses related to:
- Personnel involved in training, dog care, and meeting consumer needs.
- Consultants assisting in the training of Certified Service Dog Instructors.
- Travel, lodging, and accommodations for clients served by America’s VetDogs.