House Approves US Marshals Service Coins in Gold, Silver and Clad

On Thursday, December 15, 2011, legislation passed in the US House of Representatives that would authorize the United States Mint to strike up to 1.35 million gold, silver and clad commemorative coins in calendar year 2015 to celebrate the 225th anniversary of the founding of the United States Marshals Service.

Introduced on March 2, 2011 by Rep. Steve Womack [R-AR3], the House voted for the United States Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act in an overwhelming 412 to 1 majority (9 members did not vote).

According to the bill, numbered H.R. 886, three denominations of coins would be minted with limits of 100,000 for the $5 gold coins, 500,000 for the silver dollars and 750,000 for the clad half-dollars. With numismatic proof and uncirculated options, the total number of proposed coin types comes to six.

Proposed Designs for Gold, Silver and Clad Commemorative Coins

In design details, the bill calls for an obverse on the gold and silver coins featuring the United States Marshals Service Star, shown above. The clad half dollar would bear an emblematic design of the Service and its history.

Reverse designs for the silver coins would be emblematic of the the "legendary status" of the Service. Reverses of the $5 gold coins would be emblematic of the Service provided by those members who have lost their life in the line of duty. As for the reverses of the clad half dollars, they would be indicative of the role the Service has played in changing the history of the United States.

Surcharges

US Marshals Service coin prices would include surcharges to raise money for various organizations. Mandated per coin surcharges include $35 for the gold pieces, $10 for silver coins, and $3 for the clad half dollars. The first $5,000,000 would fund the US Marshals Museum for the preservation, maintenance, and display of artifacts and documents. The museum would be built in Fort Smith, Arkansas, the home state of Rep. Womack.

Any additional proceeds would be divided between the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Foundation and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

Passage and Requirements to Become Law

US Representative Mike Ross [D-AR4], also from Arkansas, commented on the bill’s passage and noted why Fort Smith was chosen as the location for the museum.

"The US Marshals Commemorative Coin will help celebrate the 225th anniversary of the US Marshals Service and help raise money for the US Marshals Museum in Fort Smith, Arkansas — all without costing the taxpayers a dime.

Home to renowned Judge Isaac Parker’s courthouse, Fort Smith has an important chapter in the history of the US Marshals Service, which is our country’s oldest and most versatile federal law enforcement agency. 

I was proud to join Congressman Womack in introducing this bill, and I’m proud to have secured cosponsors to help ensure its passage so that we can recognize the work our marshals do and can honor all those within the US Marshals Service who gave their lives in service to their country."

Similar legislation, number S. 431 and given an identical title, was introduced in the US Senate by Sen. Mark Pryor [D-AR] on March 2, 2011. That bill resides in the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Before the United States Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act can become law, one version of the bill must pass in the US Senate and the US House of Representatives, and then it must get signed by the President.

To learn more about the US Marshals Service, visit the official website at www.usmarshals.gov.