WASHINGTON — In honor of the signing of the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago, the U.S. House unanimously approved legislation Monday to make $2.50 coins to commemorate the anniversary.
The bicameral, bipartisan $2.50 for America’s 250th Act would authorize the U.S. Treasury to mint a collectible $2.50 commemorative coin this year. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleville, sponsored the bill.
“This coin will memorialize and celebrate our moment in American history,” Aderholt said on the House floor.
The legislation also calls for a viability study on a potential circulating $2.50 coin for everyday use. The coins would feature the historical design originally issued for America’s 150th anniversary coins.
“The 250th anniversary coin for the 250th anniversary provides an opportunity for the American people to engage with and to take personal ownership of their national heritage through a tangible and lasting tribute,” Aderholt said.
The design on the front of the coin would bear the image of allegorical liberty, wielding the Declaration of Independence. On the back would be the image of Independence Hall as it was displayed on the 150th anniversary coin. The coins would also be inscribed with the “Semiquincentennial of American Independence.”
The bill text calls for the U.S. Mint to issue the special edition coins before July 4.
“Every citizen deserves the opportunity to acquire such a coin as a means to connect the founding principles to liberty, democracy and self-governance,” Aderholt said.
All of Alabama’s House delegation members are cosponsors of the bill. A bipartisan group of senators, led by Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-WY, introduced a companion bill in the upper chamber. The legislation now moves to the Senate.
The House also passed a bill Monday to create a 250th anniversary time capsule to be buried in the Capitol Visitor Center and sealed until 2276.