New Commemorative Coins to Fund 9/11 Memorial: Treasury Must Recover All Costs First

If you’re a collector, or just someone who wants a tangible way to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11, this bill is for you. The 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint and issue special gold and silver coins starting in 2027. The main goal, beyond commemoration, is to generate dedicated, self-funded revenue for the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center.

The Specs: Gold, Silver, and the 'Never Forget' Rule

This isn't just about making pretty coins; it’s about making specific, limited-edition legal tender. The Treasury is authorized to strike up to 50,000 $5 gold coins (which must be 90% pure gold) and up to 400,000 $1 silver coins (90% pure silver). Critically, the sale window is tight: the coins can only be issued during the one-year period beginning January 1, 2027 (Section 5).

What’s non-negotiable is the design. The coins must honor the victims, first responders, and survivors of the 2001 attacks, and at least one of the coins must include the phrase “Never Forget” (Section 4). The designs will be chosen by the Treasury Secretary after consulting with the 9/11 Memorial, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, ensuring the final product reflects the gravity of the anniversary.

Where the Money Goes: A Dedicated Fundraiser

Here’s the real-world impact for the Memorial and Museum: every coin sold includes a mandated surcharge that goes directly to the organization. The surcharge is $35 for each gold coin and $10 for each silver coin (Section 7). This is a direct, dedicated funding stream intended to support the museum's day-to-day operations and maintenance, which—as the bill notes—is still supporting thousands dealing with health issues related to the attacks.

For the general public buying the coins, you won’t just pay the face value. The final price you pay will include the face value ($5 or $1), the surcharge, and the government’s full cost of designing and producing the coin (Section 6). So, if you buy one, you are essentially making a direct donation to the Memorial, bundled into the purchase price of a collectible item.

The Treasury’s Break-Even Rule

For those worried about taxpayer money funding a coin project, the bill has a strong safeguard built in. Section 8 mandates that the project must be cost-neutral to the Federal Government. This means that no surcharge money can be paid out to the 9/11 Memorial until the U.S. Treasury has fully recovered every single penny it spent on the entire operation—including labor, materials, marketing, and shipping. This structure ensures that this commemorative effort is entirely self-funded by the sales of the coins themselves, preventing any unexpected burden on the federal budget. It’s a smart way to fundraise: the Memorial gets the benefit, collectors get a unique item, and taxpayers aren't on the hook for the production costs.