Is the US Mint Authorized to Strike This?

MedalCollector

The Mint is selling the below medal (their photos below). It’s a silver duplicate of the Gold Congressional Medal awarded to Jackie Robinson. However, is the US Mint authorized to do so?

Public Law 108–101 Sec 3. states: “Under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the gold medal struck under section 2 at a price sufficient to cover the costs of the medals, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses.

The law only authorized bronze duplicates, not silver, and that’s why I pose the question. I’m interested to hear others’ thoughts.

Adding a link to the full law: https://www.congress.gov/108/plaws/publ101/PLAW-108publ101.pdf

MsMorrisine

I wonder too

The law may be redundant. US Code 5111 (a)(2) gives the mint wide latitude in minting medals. : https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/31/5111

Here is the 1.5 inch bronze : https://catalog.usmint.gov/jackie-robinson-one-and-one-half-inch-bronze-medal-755.html?cgid=null&q=Robinson&navid=search#q=Robinson&start=1

Lame that there is no 3”

DrDarryl

Part of the Negro Leagues Baseball issues
https://catalog.usmint.gov/negro-leagues-baseball-2022-proof-silver-dollar-coin-and-jackie-robinson-silver-medal-set-22CR.html?cgid=2022-product-schedule

Seems that it was a quick way to re-purpose an already issued design for Section 2, item (13).
https://congress.gov/116/plaws/publ209/PLAW-116publ209.pdf

BStrauss3

That still doesn't authorize a silver medal. Nothing I could find in law does. Bronze sure. There is authorization for variant designs for Gold Bullion as long as the specifications are met. But nothing I can find for Silver medals.

Wait one, found it (cite on the USCG 2.5 oz medal page):

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/31/5111

(a)The Secretary of the Treasury—
(1)shall mint and issue coins described in section 5112 of this title in amounts the Secretary decides are necessary to meet the needs of the United States;
(2)may prepare national medal dies and strike national and other medals if it does not interfere with regular minting operations but may not prepare private medal dies;
(3)may prepare and distribute numismatic items; and
(4)may mint coins for a foreign country if the minting does not interfere with regular minting operations, and shall prescribe a charge for minting the foreign coins equal to the cost of the minting (including labor, materials, and the use of machinery).

moursund

@BStrauss3 said:
That still doesn't authorize a silver medal. Nothing I could find in law does. Bronze sure. There is authorization for variant designs for Gold Bullion as long as the specifications are met. But nothing I can find for Silver medals.

Wait one, found it (cite on the USCG 2.5 oz medal page):

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/31/5111

(a)The Secretary of the Treasury—
(1)shall mint and issue coins described in section 5112 of this title in amounts the Secretary decides are necessary to meet the needs of the United States;
(2)may prepare national medal dies and strike national and other medals if it does not interfere with regular minting operations but may not prepare private medal dies;
(3)may prepare and distribute numismatic items; and
(4)may mint coins for a foreign country if the minting does not interfere with regular minting operations, and shall prescribe a charge for minting the foreign coins equal to the cost of the minting (including labor, materials, and the use of machinery).

So no class action lawsuit? 😉

ricko

Wow... would not want to think the U.S. Mint would do anything beyond the lawfully prescribed parameters set by Congress...