US Marshals Commemorative Coin Proposal Includes High Relief Gold Coin
On October 29, 2009, a
bill was introduced in the Senate which seeks to authorize commemorative coins
for the 225th anniversary of the establishment of the United States Marshals
Service. The bill includes some unusual characteristics for the gold coins which
would be issued under the program, and some very specific guidelines on the
issuance of the coins.
S. 2106 United
States Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act was
introduced by Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas. It follows a similar bill H.R. 2799 introduced on June 10, 2009
by John Boozman of Arkansas. The bills seek the issuance of up to 100,000 $5
gold coins and up to 500,000 $1 silver coins bearing designs emblematic of the
achievements of the United States Marshals service.
Based on the stipulations
included in the bill, the $5 gold coins would have unusual aspects for a
commemorative gold coin. The coins would have a weight of 33.931 grams, diameter
of 32.7 mm, and contain 1 troy ounce of gold. These are the same specifications
as the one ounce American Gold Eagle Bullion coin, which carries a nominal face
value of $50. Typical $5 gold commemorative coins have a weight of 8.359 grams,
diameter of 21.6 mm, and contain 0.242 ounces of gold.
The US Marshal gold coin
would be struck in high relief and carry incused edge lettering with the motto
of the US Marshals Service. The $1 silver coin would also include incused edge
lettering. These are not typical features for commemorative coins. These
unusual characteristics bear similarities to features of this year's popular 2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold
Coin. This specially issued recreation contains one ounce of gold, is
struck in ultra high relief, and includes edge lettering.
Specific guidelines are
provided related to the issuance of the US Marshals coins. Commencement of
issuance should begin on or after September 24, 2014, except for a small number
to be issued to the US Marshals Service and employees for display and
presentation during the anniversary celebration. Prepaid orders at a reasonable
discount must be accepted, and arrangements should be made to ensure that
current, former, and retired employees of the US Marshal Service have an
exclusive defined period to place orders. Coins may not be minted after
December 31, 2014.
In order for the US
Marshals Commemorative Coins to be produced in 2014, the bill must be approved
in the House and Senate, and then signed into law by the President. The bill
has been referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Source: news.coinupdate