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Background
Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Program
On September 7, 1814, Francis Scott Key visited the British fleet in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay to secure the release of his friend Dr. William Beanes. The elderly physician had been taken prisoner when the British invaded Washington, setting fire to several government buildings, including the U.S. Capitol, White House and Treasury Department.
Beanes’ release was secured, but he and Key were held by the British during the shelling of Fort McHenry, the principal fort defending Baltimore. On the morning of September 14, 1814, after the 25-hour British bombardment of Fort McHenry, Key peered through the clearing smoke to see a 42-foot by 30-foot American flag flying proudly over it.
He was so inspired by the sight of the enormous flag that he wrote a verse he named “The Defense of Fort McHenry” to commemorate the occasion. He also included a note that it should be sung to the tune of the popular British melody “To Anacreon in Heaven.” Within a month, the words had been published in papers along the eastern seaboard. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered that the anthem, which had been popularly renamed the “The Star-Spangled Banner,” be played at military and naval ceremonies. On March 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a resolution passed by Congress that officially designated “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the U.S. National Anthem.
Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Act
Public Law 111–232 111th Congress - To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner. The design of the coins minted under this Act shall be emblematic of the War of 1812 and particularly the Battle for Baltimore that formed the basis for the Star Spangled Banner.
• The Congress finds as follows:
During the Battle for Baltimore of the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key visited the British fleet in the
Chesapeake Bay on September 7, 1814, to secure the release of Dr. William Beanes, who had
been captured after the British burned Washington, DC.
The release of Dr. Beanes was secured, but Key and Beanes were held by the British during the
shelling of Fort McHenry, one of the forts defending Baltimore.
On the morning of September 14, 1814, after the 25- hour British bombardment of Fort McHenry,
Key peered through the clearing smoke to see a 42-foot by 30-foot American flag flying proudly
atop the Fort.
He was so inspired to see the enormous flag still flying over the Fort that he began penning a song,
which he named The Defense of Fort McHenry, to commemorate the occasion and he included a
note that it should be sung to the tune of the popular British melody To Anacreon in Heaven.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered that the anthem, which had been popularly
renamed the Star-Spangled Banner, be played at military and naval occasions.
On March 3, 1931, President Herbert Hoover signed a resolution of Congress that officially
designated the Star Spangled Banner as the National Anthem of the United States.
• Coin Specifications. The Secretary of the Treasury shall mint and issue the following coins in commemoration
of the bicentennial of the writing of the Star-Spangled Banner:
$5 Gold Coins. Not more than 100,000 $5 coins and 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.
• Coins minted under this Act shall be issued in uncirculated and proof qualities. Only one facility of the United
States Mint may be used to strike any particular quality of the coins minted under this Act.
Approved August 16, 2010 (The Secretary may issue coins under this Act only during the calendar year beginning on January 1, 2012.)