$2.50 for America’s 250th Act

119 HR 5616 EH: $2.50 for America’s 250th Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS2d Session H. R. 5616

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend title 31, United States Code, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $2.50 numismatic coins, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the $2.50 for America’s 250th Act.

2.FindingsCongress finds the following: (1)The 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence was a turning point in the history of the United States and the world that warrants national recognition. (2)The 68th Congress celebrated this fact by authorizing the United States Mint to commemorate the 150th anniversary of American independence by issuing $2.50 coins. (3)The issuance of a $2.50 anniversary coin for the 250th anniversary serves as a historically grounded continuation of this numismatic tradition and connects Americans today with a legacy of national celebration through coinage. (4)The design and distribution of this coin offer a unique and accessible opportunity for the American people to engage with and take personal ownership of their national heritage through a tangible and lasting tribute. (5)Every citizen deserves the opportunity to acquire such a coin as a means to connect to the founding principles of liberty, democracy, and self-governance. (6)In addition to the congressionally authorized activities already planned by the mint, this new anniversary coin will serve not only as a lasting tribute to the founding generation and the ideals we share with them to this day, but also as a unifying and educational gesture on the occasion of the semiquincentennial.

3.Minting and issuing of $2.50 numismatic coins (a)In generalSection 5112 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (bb)Numismatic $2.50 coin (1)In generalThe Secretary may mint and issue— (A)not more than 100,000 $2.50 numismatic coins, each of which shall weigh 4.1795 grams, have a diameter of 0.425 inches, and contain not less than 90 percent gold; (B)not more than 300,000 $2.50 numismatic coins, each of which shall weigh 26.73 grams, have a diameter of 1.5 inches, and contain not less than 90 percent silver; and (C)not more than 750,000 $2.50 numismatic coins, each of which shall weigh 11.34 grams, have a diameter of 1.205 inches, and be minted to the specifications for half-dollar coins contained in section 5112(b) of title 31, United States Code. (2)Design (A)ObverseThe obverse design of any coin minted and issued under this subsection shall, during the 2-year period beginning on the date the Secretary issues any coin under this subsection, bear the image of allegorical liberty wielding the Declaration of Independence featured on the gold $2.50 Sesquicentennial Coin issued in 1926. (B)ReverseThe reverse design of any coin minted and issued under this subsection shall, during the 2-year period beginning on the date the Secretary issues any coin under this subsection, bear the image of Independence Hall featured on the gold $2.50 Sesquicentennial Coin issued in 1926. (C)Additional inscriptionsDuring the 2-year period beginning on the date the Secretary issues any coin under this subsection, each coin minted and issued under this subsection shall bear the inscriptions Semiquincentennial of the United States and 1776–2026. . (b)Sense of CongressIt is the sense of the Congress that the numismatic coins described in section 5112(bb) of title 31, United States Code, should be minted and issued not later than July 4, 2026, or as soon as it is technically and economically feasible.

4.Study and Report (a)StudyThe Secretary of the Treasury, acting through the Director of the United States Mint shall conduct a comprehensive study to evaluate the feasibility, practicality, and potential public benefits of minting and issuing a $2.50 coin for wide circulation in the United States. (b)ReportThe Secretary of the Treasury, acting through the Director of the United States Mint shall, not later than September 15, 2026, submit a report to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate about the study carried out under subsection (a) that includes— (1)an analysis of the historical use of the $2.50 denomination; (2)projected production costs associated with minting and issuing a $2.50 coin for wide circulation; (3)the cost-effectiveness of minting and issuing a $2.50 coin for wide circulation when compared to the costs associated with minting and issuing other coins; (4)an evaluation of potential benefits to commerce, coin handling, and transaction efficiency that would be associated with the minting and issuing a $2.50 coin for wide circulation; (5)proposed physical characteristics of a $2.50 coin, including— (A)composition; (B)weight; (C)diameter; and (D)design features to distinguish the $2.50 coin from existing coins; (6)a description of the ways in which the Secretary consulted with stakeholders, including commercial banks, cash-handling businesses, consumer groups, and vending and transit industries; (7)an analysis that estimates the potential seigniorage associated with a widely circulated $2.50 coin; and (8)a plan that could be followed to mint and issue a $2.50 coin that includes— (A)coordination with the Federal Reserve System and financial institutions; (B)a test production phase; and (C)an initial phased circulation. Passed the House of Representatives February 9, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.

119 HR 5616 IH: $2.50 for America’s 250th Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-09-30 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 5616IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 30, 2025Mr. Aderholt (for himself, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Salazar, and Mr. Evans of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial ServicesA BILLTo amend title 31, United States Code, to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue $2.50 numismatic coins and $2.50 circulating coins, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the $2.50 for America’s 250th Act.

2.FindingsCongress finds the following: (1)The 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence was a turning point in the history of the United States and the world that warrants national recognition. (2)The 68th Congress celebrated this fact by authorizing the United States Mint to commemorate the 150th anniversary of American independence by issuing 2 coins: a half dollar and a $2.50 gold piece. (3)The issuance of a $2.50 anniversary coin for the 250th anniversary serves as a historically grounded continuation of this numismatic tradition and connects Americans today with a legacy of national celebration through coinage. (4)The design and distribution of this coin offer a unique and accessible opportunity for the American people to engage with and take personal ownership of their national heritage through a tangible and lasting tribute. (5)Every citizen deserves the opportunity to acquire such a coin as a means to connect to the founding principles of liberty, democracy, and self-governance. (6)In addition to the congressionally authorized activities already planned by the mint, this new anniversary coin will serve not only as a lasting tribute to the founding generation and the ideals we share with them to this day, but also as a unifying and educational gesture on the occasion of the semiquincentennial.

3.Circulating $2.50 coins (a)In generalSection 5112 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: (bb)Circulating $2.50 coin (1)In generalThe Secretary shall mint and issue a $2.50 circulating coin upon determining that minting such coin is technically feasible, economically feasible, and not cost prohibitive. (2)RequirementsEach coin minted and issued under this subsection shall— (A)have features that make the denomination of the coin readily discernible from other coins; and (B)be made of an alloy prescribed by the Secretary. (3)Design (A)ObverseThe obverse of each coin minted and issued under this subsection shall, during the 5-year period beginning on the date the Secretary issues any coin under this subsection, bear the image of allegorical liberty wielding the Declaration of Independence featured on the gold $2.50 Sesquicentennial Coin issued in 1926. (B)ReverseThe reverse of each coin minted and issued under this subsection shall, during the 5-year period beginning on the date the Secretary issues any coin under this subsection, bear the image Independence Hall featured on the gold $2.50 Sesquicentennial Coin issued in 1926. (C)Additional inscriptionsDuring the 5-year period beginning on the date the Secretary issues any coin under this subsection, each coin minted and issued under this subsection shall bear the inscriptions Semiquincentennial of the United States and 1776–2026. (D)Subsequent designsBeginning on the date that is 5 years after the Secretary issues a coin under this subsection, and every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary may select a new design that celebrates the founding of the United States for the $2.50 coin.. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of the Congress that the circulating coin described in section 5112(b)(b) of title 31, United States Code, should be minted and issued not later than July 4, 2026, or as soon as it is technically and economically feasible.

4.Numismatic $2.50 coins (a)In generalSection 5112 of title 31, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following: (cc)Numismatic $2.50 coin (1)In generalThe Secretary may mint and issue $2.50 numismatic coins in silver, clad, and such other alloys, including gold, as the Secretary determines in accordance with such program procedures and coin specifications, varieties, quantities, and inscriptions as the Secretary, in the Secretary’s discretion, may prescribe from time to time. (2)Design (A)ObverseThe obverse design of any coin minted and issued under this subsection shall, during the 2-year period beginning on the date the Secretary issues any coin under this subsection, bear the image of allegorical liberty wielding the Declaration of Independence featured on the gold $2.50 Sesquicentennial Coin issued in 1926. (B)ReverseThe reverse design of any coin minted and issued under this subsection shall, during the 2-year period beginning on the date the Secretary issues any coin under this subsection, bear the image of Independence Hall featured on the gold $2.50 Sesquicentennial Coin issued in 1926. (C)Additional inscriptionsDuring the 2-year period beginning on the date the Secretary issues any coin under this subsection, each coin minted and issued under this subsection shall bear the inscriptions Semiquincentennial of the United States and 1776–2026. (D)Subsequent designsBeginning on the date that is 2 years after the date on which the Secretary issues any coin under this subsection, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary may select a new design that celebrates the founding of the United States for the $2.50 coin.. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of the Congress that the numismatic coins described in section 5112(c)(c) of title 31, United States Code, should be minted and issued not later than July 4, 2026, or as soon as it is technically and economically feasible.