PROGRAM-WIDE SUMMARY
Modern commemorative coins authorized by Congress and produced by the United States Mint date from the introduction of the George Washington 250th Anniversary Half-Dollar in 1982. Congress has authorized a total of 56 commemorative coin programs through 2014 to honor people, places, events and institutions of significance in American history and culture. Surcharges from the sales of these coins are authorized to help fund a variety of organizations and projects that benefit the public at large. United States Mint commemorative coin programs have collected $475,193,944 in surcharges over the past 27 years for many worthy recipient organizations.
Commemorative coins are beneficial to both the numismatic community and recipient organizations, but they also highlight our Nation’s history. To ensure that commemorative coin programs reap the benefits of the 1996 reforms, the United States Mint must continue to execute and oversee these coin programs in a conscientious, prudent and business-like manner.
FINANCIAL REPORTING
The matching funds criterion established by the Commemorative Coin Reform Act of 1996 (CCRA), as amended by Title II of Public Law 108-15 (April 23, 2003), requires commemorative coin programs to link public funding of special projects to private support by requiring recipient organizations to show receipts of donations from private sources “in an amount that is equal to or greater than the total amount of the proceeds of such surcharge derived from the sale of such numismatic item.” The CCRA makes commemorative coin program recipient organizations partners in bearing the risks of commemorative coin programs, and it assures that the United States Mint recovers its costs of operating such coin programs.
The estimated program margin is total net revenue minus net operating cost less surcharges collected. This quarterly interim analysis was prepared using the accrual basis of accounting.
2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Coin Program
Public Law 109-285, September 27, 2006
The Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Coin Program consists of a proof and uncirculated silver dollar coin with a maximum mintage of 500,000 coins across all options. Sales of the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar began on February 12, 2009, with the uncirculated version selling out on March 26 and the proof version selling out April 14. As of September 30, 2009, a total of 449,892 coins had been sold (322,181 proof and 127,711 uncirculated). A special United States Mint Lincoln Coin and Chronicles Set, including a proof version of the 2009 Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Silver Dollar, will be available for sale on October 15, 2009. A surcharge of $10 per coin is authorized to be paid to the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission to further its work in planning the celebration of the bicentennial anniversary of Lincoln’s birth.
2009 Louis Braille Commemorative Coin Program
Public Law 109-247, July 27, 2006
The Louis Braille Commemorative Coin Program consists of a proof and uncirculated coin with a maximum mintage of 400,000 coins across all product options. The uncirculated silver dollar coin is also available in an easy-open capsule for those wishing to feel its tactile features. Sales of the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar began March 26, 2009, and have been brisk. As of September 30, 2009, a total of 185,826 coins had been sold (121,059 proof, 44,898 uncirculated and 19,869 uncirculated in easy-open capsules). A special United States Mint Braille Education Set, including an uncirculated version of the 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar, will be available for sale on October 8, 2009. A surcharge of $10 per coin is authorized to be paid to the National Federation of the Blind to support its programs to promote Braille Literacy.
2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Program
Public Law 110-277, July 17, 2008
Designs for the 2010 American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin were approved by Secretary Timothy F. Geithner on July 30, 2009. The designs were unveiled at the Disabled American Veterans convention held on August 22, 2009.
2010 Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coin Program
Public Law 110-363, October 8, 2008
Designs for the 2010 Boy Scouts of America Centennial Commemorative Coins were approved by Secretary Timothy F. Geithner on September 16, 2009. The designs have not yet been made public.
2011 United States Army Commemorative Coin Program
Public Law 110-450, December 1, 2008
Work on the coin designs is ongoing.
2012 National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center Commemorative Coin Program
Public Law 110-357, October 8, 2008
2014 Civil Rights Act of 1964 Commemorative Coin Program
Public Law 110-451, December 2, 2008