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Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Act of 2009
Public Law 111–91 111th Congress - To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in recognition and celebration of the establishment of the Medal of Honor in 1861, America’s highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States, to honor the American military men and women who have been recipients of the Medal of Honor, and to promote awareness of what the Medal of Honor represents and how ordinary Americans, through courage, sacrifice, selfless service and patriotism, can challenge fate and change the course of history. The design of the coins minted under this Act shall be emblematic of the traditions, legacy, and heritage of the Medal of Honor, and the distinguished service of its recipients in the Nation’s history.
• The Congress finds as follows:
1861 as the United States Navy’s highest personal decoration, the Army Medal of Honor was
authorized by the Congress in 1862, and the Air Force Medal of Honor was authorized by Congress
in 1956.
The Medal of Honor is presented by the President of the United States in the name of the
Congress, to a person who, while a member of the United States Armed Forces, distinguishes
himself or herself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and
beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States; while
engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with
friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the
United States is not a belligerent party.
The deed performed must have been one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to
clearly distinguish the individual above his or her comrades and must have involved risk of life.
Incontestable proof of the performance of the service will be exacted and each recommendation for
the award of this decoration will be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit.
Fewer than 3,500 Medals of Honor have been awarded to members of the United States Armed
Forces.
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is a not-for-profit organization chartered by the 85th
Congress under a legislative act signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on August 14,
1958, and membership in the Society is restricted to recipients of the Medal of Honor.
Society members are joined together for the purpose of forming and maintaining friendship among
all living recipients of the Medal of Honor and remembrance of posthumous and deceased
recipients.; they are dedicated to the protection and preservation of the dignity, honor and name of
the Medal of Honor; service to others; service to Nation; and the promotion of allegiance to the
Constitution and the Government of the United States.
Members of the Society act to foster patriotism and to inspire and encourage the youth of America
to become worthy citizens.
The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded by
the Society in 1999, is dedicated to —
♦ perpetuating the Medal of Honor’s legacy through outreach and collaborative efforts;
♦ raising funds for initiatives that promote what the Medal of Honor represents, operation of the
Congressional Medal of Honor Society headquarters, and the public outreach activities of the
Medal of Honor Society’s membership; and
♦ promoting American values and the qualities of courage, sacrifice and patriotism through i
increased awareness, education, scholarships, behavior and example.
Through its educational and outreach programs, the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation
promotes heroism, selflessness and distinguished citizenship among American youth and brings
public awareness to the actions of ordinary Americans who have made and are making a profound
difference in preserving our freedoms.
• Coin Specifications.
Denominations.—In recognition and celebration of the founding of the Medal of Honor in 1861, and
notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Treasury shall mint and issue the
following coins:
♦ $5 Gold Coins. Not more than 100,000 $5 gold coins, which shall contain 90 percent gold and
10 percent alloy.
♦ $1 Silver Coins. Not more than 500,000 $1 coins which shall contain 90 percent silver and 10
percent copper.
• Design Of Coins - Selection.—The design for the coins minted under this Act shall:
contain motifs that represent the 3 Medal of Honor designs (Army, Navy, and Air Force) and
specifically honor the Medal of Honor recipients of both today and yesterday, such designs to be
consistent with the traditions and heritage of the United States Armed Services, the mission and
goals of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, and the mission and goals of the Congressional
Medal of Honor Foundation.
be selected by the Secretary, after consultation with the Boards of the Congressional Medal of
Honor Society and Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation and the Commission of Fine Arts;
and
be reviewed by the Citizens Coin Advisory Committee.
• Coins minted under this Act shall be issued in uncirculated and proof qualities. For each of the 2
denomination of coins minted under this Act, at least 1 facility of the United States Mint shall be used to
strike proof quality coins, while at least 1 other such facility shall be used to strike the uncirculated
quality coins.
Approved November 6, 2009. (The Secretary of the Treasury may issue coins minted under this Act only during the 1-year period beginning on January 1, 2011.)
Background
The U.S. Mint released the Medal of Honor $5 Gold Coin in 2011 as part of the Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Program. The two-coin program recognizes and celebrates the establishment of the Medal of Honor in 1861. The gold coin designs are emblematic of the heritage and legacy of the original Medal of Honor and the era in which it was first established.
The 2011 Medal of Honor Commemorative Coin Program recognizes and celebrates the establishment of the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It is presented to a person who distinguishes him or herself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while:
• engaged in action against an enemy of the United States;
• engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
• serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the
United States is not a belligerent party.
Fewer than 3,600 Medals of Honor have ever been awarded.
The Medal of Honor was first authorized by Congress in 1861 as the Navy’s highest personal decoration, with the Army Medal of Honor authorized in 1862 and the Air Force Medal of Honor in 1956. The medals are presented by the President in the name of Congress.
As authorized, the Mint produced $5 gold and $1 silver coins in both proof and uncirculated qualities. The designs are emblematic of the traditions, legacy, and heritage of the Medal of Honor and the distinguished service of its recipients.