2017-06-16 Fri

To mark the 100th anniversary of the American Legion, U.S. Representative Timothy Walz (D-MN1) introduced a bill to create commemorative coins. The organisation was started for American veterans who saw active participation during wartime. The American Legion was founded on 16th February 1919 in Paris by soldiers from the American Expeditionary Forces posted in Europe after World War I. The organisation lends its support to veterans through its work with the Veterans Administration and by lobbying Congress. One of its most well-known victories was the passing of the "G.I. Bill" in 1944. The American Legion created a law and it also had various benefits like grants for college tuition--to veterans of World War II.

The American Legion 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act authorises the production of a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin and a clad half dollar. The mintage limit is for 50,000 gold coins, with each piece consisting of 8.359 grams of at least 90% pure gold and being 0.850 inches in diameter. Then a maximum of 400,000 silver coins would be authorised and each .900 fine silver dollar would weigh 26.73 grams and have a diameter of 1.500 inches. And finally, the number of clad half dollars produced for the program would not exceed 750,000 units. The United States Code will make uncirculated versions of each coin and will consider them as legal tender. Bulk sales and prepaid orders are also authorised.

American Legion Centennial Commemoratives would be struck only during the calendar year 2019.
<> The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) and the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) will review the candidate designs. Before the Secretary of the Treasury takes the final call, the Adjutant of The American Legion will also be consulted. As far as the design of the coins goes, the only stipulation the bill provides is that it "shall be emblematic of the American Legion".

The bill is pretty straightforward and it is no surprise that the surcharges coin collectors have become accustomed to it. A $35 premium is set for the gold coin, $10 is set for the silver, and $5 is added to the price of the half dollar. All surcharges go to the American Legion to help support their work on behalf of veterans.