(4) People from everywhere in the United
States responded to the crisis with an outpouring of
support for the victims of the terrorist attacks and
their families.
(5) The civilized world stands with strength and
fortitude in opposition to the cowardly terrorist at-
tacks against the United States that occurred on
September 11, 2001.
(6) It is essential to remember not only the
tragedy of the attacks, but also the strength and re-
solve demonstrated by the people of the United
States in the aftermath of the attacks.
(7) The minting of coins in commemoration of
the Spirit of America will pay tribute to the count-
less heroes who risked their lives during the terrorist
attacks and in their aftermath so that others may
live and to a united people whose belief in freedom,
justice, and democracy has never swayed.
SEC. 3. COIN SPECIFICATIONS.
(a) DENOMINATIONS.—In commemoration of the
Spirit of America, the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter
in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall mint and
issue the following coins:
(1) $50 GOLD COINS.—Such number of 50 dol-
lar coins as the Secretary determines under sub-
section (b), which shall—
(A) weigh 1 ounce;
(B) have a diameter of 1.287 inches; and
(C) contain 91.67 percent gold and 8.33
percent alloy.
(2) $1 SILVER COINS.—Such number of 1 dollar
coins as the Secretary determines appropriate to
meet demand, which shall—
(A) weigh 26.73 grams;
(B) have a diameter of 1.500 inches; and
(C) contain 90 percent silver and 10 per-
cent copper.
(3) HALF DOLLAR CLAD COINS.—Such number
of half dollar coins as the Secretary determines ap-
propriate to meet demand, which shall—
(A) weigh 11.34 grams;
(B) have a diameter of 1.205 inches; and
(C) be minted to the specifications for half
dollar coins contained in section 5112(b) of title
31, United States Code.
(b) NUMBER OF GOLD COINS.—The Secretary, in
consultation with the Attorney General of the United
States and the Governors of New York, Pennsylvania, and
Virginia shall determine the number of innocent individ-
uals confirmed or presumed to have been killed as a result
of the terrorist attacks against the United States that oc-
curred on September 11, 2001, and shall identify such in-
dividuals. The Secretary, under subsection (a)(1), shall
mint and issue a number of 50 dollar coins equal to the
number of such individuals.
(c) LEGAL TENDER.—The coins minted under this
Act shall be legal tender, as provided in section 5103 of
title 31, United States Code.
(d) NUMISMATIC ITEMS.—For purposes of section
5136 of title 31, United States Code, all coins minted
under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.
(e) SOURCES
OF BULLION.—For the purpose of
minting coins under this Act, the Secretary may only use
metals that are from natural deposits in the United States
or any territory or possession of the United States.
(f) SPECIAL TREATMENT UNDER EXIGENT CIR-
CUMSTANCES.—
(1) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds as follows:
(A) The limitations contained in para-
graphs (1) and (2)(A) of section 5112(m) of
title 31, United States Code, and section
5134(f)(1)(B) of such title have well served,
and continue to serve, their purpose of bringing
greater stability to the markets for commemo-
rative coins, maximizing demand and participa-
tion in such programs, and ensuring that such
programs have a broad base of private support
and are not used as the primary means of fund-
raising by organizations that are the recipients
of surcharges.
(B) The shocking circumstances of Sep-
tember 11, 2001, the broad base of public inter-
est in showing the Spirit of America and par-
ticipating in the raising of funds for the victims
of the crimes committed on that date, and the
importance of implementing this coin program
as quickly as possible, notwithstanding the fact
that 2 commemorative coin programs are al-
ready in effect for 2001 and 2002, justify ex-
empting the coins produced under this Act from
such limitations.
(2) EXEMPTION.—Paragraphs (1) and (2) of
section 5112(m) of title 31, United States Code, and
section 5134(f)(1)(B) of such title shall not apply to
coins authorized under this Act.
SEC. 4. DESIGN OF COINS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The design of the coins minted
under this Act shall be emblematic of the tragic events
that occurred at the Pentagon, in New York City, and in
Pennsylvania, on September 11, 2001.
(b) DESIGNATION AND INSCRIPTIONS.—On each coin
minted under this Act there shall be—
(1) a designation of the value of the coin;
(2) an inscription of the date ‘‘September 11,
2001’’ (and such coin shall bear no other date); and
(3) inscriptions of the words ‘‘Liberty’’, ‘‘In
God We Trust’’, ‘‘United States of America’’, and
‘‘E Pluribus Unum’’.
(c) OBVERSE OF COIN.—The obverse of each coin
minted under this Act shall bear the likeness of—
(1) the Pentagon; and
(2) the flag of the United States.
(d) REVERSE OF COIN.—The reverse of each coin
minted under this Act shall bear the likeness of the World
Trade Center in New York City.
(e) SELECTION.—The design for the coins minted
under this Act shall be selected by the Secretary after con-
sultation with the Commission of Fine Arts.
SEC. 5. STRIKING AND ISSUANCE OF COINS.
(a) QUALITY OF COINS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided under
paragraph (2), coins minted under this Act shall be
issued in uncirculated quality.