Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins Proposed

S. 653: Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Act

Summary: Proposal for commemorative coins for the bicentennial of the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner in 1812. The program would include $5 gold and $1 silver coins.

Sponsor: Sen. Benjamin Cardin

Date Introduced: March 19, 2009

Current Status: H.R. 2007 (House version) passed in House September 9, 2009

This is the second proposal for commemorative coins for the bicentennial of the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner. This was written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812 and became the National Anthem of the United States. Similar bills were introduced last year in both the House and Senate. One version was eventually passed in the House, but never voted on in the Senate.

The proposed commemorative coins would include up to 100,000 $5 gold coins and 500,000 $1 siver coins. The gold coins would contain 90% gold and have a diameter of 0.85 inches and weight of 8.359 grams. The silver coins would contain 90% silver and have a diameter of 1.5 inches and weight of 26.73 grams.

The designs for the coins would be emblematic of the War of 1812, and specifically the Battle for Baltimore, which was the basis for the Star-Spangled Banner. Required inscriptions would include the value of the coin, the year 2012, and the words “Liberty”, “In God We Trust”, “United States of America”, and “E Pluribus Unum”.

Coins would be issued for a one year period beginning on January 1, 2012. The surcharges of $35 per gold coin and $10 per silver coin would be distributed to the Maryland war of 1812 Bicentennial Commission.