Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Richard Hanna today announced the National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act was signed into law today by President Obama. The legislation will mint gold, silver and clad coins by the U.S. Treasury in honor of the 75th anniversary of the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
Additionally, Senator Gillibrand and Representative Hanna are urging the Treasury Department to mint the coins at the U.S. Mint at West Point, which is currently the nation’s primary producer of the gold and silver coinage called for in the bill.
“For 75 years, Americans have been visiting our very own Cooperstown to honor the legends of America’s favorite pastime,” Senator Gillibrand said. “The National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act will build on the recognition Cooperstown deserves, honor its history, and help draw more Americans to visit this truly magical place in upstate New York. And there’s no better place to mint these coins than West Point.”
“I am privileged to represent Cooperstown and, as a past 10-year resident, sponsoring this bill in the House was especially meaningful for me,” Representative Hanna said. “This cost-free legislation help preserve our national pastime and the nonprofit museum in Cooperstown. I encourage everyone to visit Cooperstown at least once to take in its history and natural beauty. You won’t be disappointed.”
The National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half dollar coins in recognition of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum during a one-year period starting January 1, 2015. Production of the coins is financed by their subsequent sale, ensuring no cost to taxpayers to mint these coins. Joining Senator Gillibrand in introducing the bipartisan legislation to the Senate are Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA).
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an independent not-for-profit educational institution, dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the historical development of baseball and its impact on our culture by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting its collections for a global audience as well as honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to our National Pastime.
Senator Gillibrand and Representative Hanna’s full joint letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Geithner:
Honorable Richard Peterson
Acting Director
United States Mint
801 9th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20220-0001
Dear Acting Director Peterson,
We write to you in regards to the National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act, which recently passed both the House and Senate and was recently signed by the President. This legislation requires the Mint to produce commemorative coins to honor the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. As the sponsors of this legislation in the House and Senate, we urge you to mint this new coin at the West Point Mint in West Point, New York.
The West Point Mint’s work has been consistently recognized across the world as producing high quality commemorative coinage. Additionally, the Mint currently serves as the primary production facility for the types of gold and silver coins specified in the Act and would be a natural choice to produce this new coin given its high quality work and technical expertise. Finally, the Mint’s proximity to Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame provides a natural connection between the production site and honoree.
As production of this coin moves forward, I hope that you will ensure that the West Point Mint is designated to produce this unique coin to honor the Hall of Fame and America’s national pastime. Should you have any questions, please contact Kevin Fink of Senator Gillibrand’s staff at 202-224-4451 or Adam Hepburn of Congressman Hanna’s staff at 202-225-3665.