Reps. Aderholt, Watson Coleman Introduces Bill to Mint $2.50 Coin for America’s 250th Birthday

Reps. Aderholt, Watson Coleman Introduces Bill to Mint $2.50 Coin for America's 250th Birthday

Today, Reps. Robert Aderholt (AL-04) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced the bicameral, bipartisan $2.50 for America's 250 Act ialongside fellow America 250 Commissioners Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Dwight Evans (D-PA). Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) introduced companion legislation in the Senate with Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Shelley Capito (R-WV), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) as cosponsors. This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to issue two types of $2.50 coins: a collectible 'anniversary' silver coin and a circulating coin, both featuring the historical design originally issued for America' 150th anniversary.

"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, one that warrants national recognition," said Rep. Aderholt. "I am honored to introduce a bill that recognizes this importance through a meaningful coin that links our nation's past to its present and future."

"As a member of the America 250 Commission and co-chair of the America250 Caucus, I'm proud to co-lead this bill to celebrate our nation's 250th Anniversary with a commemorative coin. This coin will memorialize our moment in American history and celebrate our great mutual history. I'm grateful for the partnership with Rep. Aderholt and my House colleagues. It's a privilege to work with my colleagues on a bipartisan basis as we prepare the nationwide celebration of America's 250th birthday," said Rep. Watson Coleman.

This legislation will carry on the precedent set by the 68th Congress that celebrated our nation's 150^th anniversary by authorizing the United States Mint to commemorate the 150th anniversary of American independence with two coins: a half dollar and a $2.50 gold piece. As America marks its 250th anniversary, this coin will honor the same ideas and values recognized at the sesquicentennial.

"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," Rep. Aderholt added. "This coin provides an accessible opportunity for the American people to engage with and take personal ownership of their national heritage through a tangible and lasting tribute."

The $2.50 anniversary coin for the 250th anniversary connects Americans today with a legacy of national celebration through coinage. 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.