2016-05-06 Fri

To support the fight against breast cancer, the United States Mint is going to issue and sell commemorative coins in 2018.

A special law called as the Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Act, H.R. 2722 was passed which allows the issue of up to 50,000 $5 pink gold coins, 400,000 silver dollars and 750,000 clad half-dollars.

A public competition will be held to finalize the coin designs. The standard commemorative coins used 90% gold and 10% alloy but the latest pink gold coins will be composed of 75% gold.

The coin gets its unique colour from its composition of 75% gold, 20% copper and 5% silver. 18K rose gold is made by increasing the copper content to 22.25% and reducing the silver content to 2.75%.

Pink gold plating was done for the 2012 Farewell to the Penny Silver Commemorative Coin and the 2006 25-cent Breast Cancer circulation coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint. United States would be issuing a pink gold coin for the first time.

Experts believe that breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Research along with increased awareness and screenings is the need of the hour.

Added surcharges of $35 per gold coin, $10 per silver dollar and $5 per clad half-dollar will be applied, the proceeds of which will be used for funding the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.