The "Rosa Parks Commemorative Coin Act" directs the Treasury to mint coins in 2029 honoring Rosa Parks, with surcharges from the coin sales benefiting the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development.
Joyce Beatty
Representative
OH-3
The "Rosa Parks Commemorative Coin Act" directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint gold, silver, and half-dollar coins in 2029 to honor Rosa Parks and her legacy as a Civil Rights Movement leader. Coin designs must symbolize her contribution to civil rights and include her name and likeness. Surcharges from the coin sales will benefit the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development, supporting youth programs, civil rights education, and advocacy. The Act ensures no net cost to the government and mandates the recovery of all costs before surcharge distribution.
Rosa Parks Commemorative Coins Coming in 2029: Sales to Fund Civil Rights Education
Congress just passed the "Rosa Parks Commemorative Coin Act," a bill that's all about honoring the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement" and supporting the next generation of activists. Starting January 1, 2029, the U.S. Treasury will issue a series of collectible coins featuring Rosa Parks, with proceeds going directly to the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development.
Minting Change
The bill (SEC. 3) lays out the specifics: up to 50,000 five-dollar gold coins, 400,000 one-dollar silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar coins will be minted. These aren't your everyday quarters – they're numismatic items (SEC. 3), meaning they're made for collecting and have a higher value than their face denomination. Think of it like a special edition release, but with a powerful message. The designs will be chosen in consultation with the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute and reviewed by advisory committees (SEC. 4), ensuring Parks' legacy is properly represented.
Real-World Impact: Funding the Future
So, where does the money come from? Each coin will have a surcharge (SEC. 7): $35 for the five-dollar coin, $10 for the one-dollar, and $5 for the half-dollar. This extra cost goes straight to the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute. This means that when someone buys a $5 gold coin, that is minted at a cost of $100, the total cost will be $140 dollars. For every coin that is sold, the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute will receive the surcharge. The Treasury gets its production costs covered (SEC. 8), and the Institute gets a significant boost to fund their programs focused on youth development, civil rights education, and advocacy. It's a direct way for people to support the continuation of Rosa Parks' work. The Institute is also subject to audit requirements, so there's accountability built in (SEC. 7).
Beyond the Pocket Change
This bill is about more than just coins. It's a reaffirmation of Rosa Parks' incredible impact (SEC. 2). Her refusal to give up her seat on a segregated bus in 1955 sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. This legislation ensures her story, and the fight for equality she represents, continues to be told. While there's always a risk of funds being misused, the bill includes audit requirements for the Institute (SEC. 7) to help ensure the money goes where it's intended. The bill also makes certain that the Treasury won't lose money on this deal – they have to recoup all their costs before any surcharges are distributed (SEC. 8). The Treasury is authorized to issue guidance to ensure surcharges are limited, in the event the issuance of coins would cause the annual commemorative coin program limit to be exceeded (SEC. 7).