$2.50 for America’s 250th Act
This bill requires the minting of $2.50 coins to commemorate the 250th anniversary, or the semiquincentennial, of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Specifically, the Department of the Treasury must mint and issue a $2.50 circulating coin upon determining that such minting is technically feasible, economically feasible, and not cost prohibitive. The design of such a coin during the first five years of its issuance must be as described by the bill, however, subsequent designs may be selected by Treasury to celebrate the founding of the United States.
Treasury may also mint and issue $2.50 numismatic coins (i.e., collectible coins) in silver, clad, and other alloys, including gold.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5616 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5616
To 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.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 30, 2025
Mr. 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 Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To 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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``$2.50 for America's 250th Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress 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.
SEC. 3. CIRCULATING $2.50 COINS.
(a) In General.--Section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(bb) Circulating $2.50 Coin.--
``(1) In general.--The 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) Requirements.--Each 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) Obverse.--The 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) Reverse.--The 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 inscriptions.--During 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 designs.--Beginning 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.
SEC. 4. NUMISMATIC $2.50 COINS.
(a) In General.--Section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, is
further amended by adding at the end the following:
``(cc) Numismatic $2.50 Coin.--
``(1) In general.--The 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) Obverse.--The 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) Reverse.--The 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 inscriptions.--During 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 designs.--Beginning 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.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Mr. Hill (AR) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2048-2050)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5616.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2048)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2048)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST - Mr. Grothman asked unanimous consent that the Clerk be directed to make the changes in the engrossment of H.R. 5616 that have been placed at the desk. Agreed to without objection.
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Received in the Senate.