President Barack Obama signed legislation Friday that will allow the U.S. Treasury Department to mint more than 1 million coins in honor of the National Baseball Hall of Fame's 75th anniversary.听
The National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act, sponsored by U.S.听Rep. Richard Hanna, R-Barneveld, and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., was . The House and, a few months later, Gillibrand .听
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The legislation will direct the U.S. Treasury to mint 750,000 half-dollar coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins and 50,000 $5 gold coins in honor of the Baseball Hall of Fame, which is based in Cooperstown. Production of the coins will cover a one-year period beginning on Jan. 1, 2015.听
鈥淭he National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is so appreciative of the support of the U.S. House, Senate and President Obama for providing awareness, exposure and the potential for a significant infusion of tourism and revenue to Cooperstown with the Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act,鈥 Jeff Idelson, President of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, said in a news release. 鈥淲e are grateful to Senator Gillibrand, Congressman Hanna, and everyone who worked on this bill to deliver a program all Americans can enjoy and treasure as a symbol of the enduring spirit of our National Pastime.鈥
The production costs will be covered by the sale of the coins, according to Hanna's news release.听
"I am privileged to represent Cooperstown and, as a past 10-year resident, sponsoring this bill in the House was especially meaningful for me," 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."
Now that the National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act is law, Gillibrand and Hanna hope the coins are minted right here in New York.
Gillibrand and Hanna sent a letter to U.S. Mint Acting Director Richard Peterson urging him to make sure the coins are minted at West Point Mint in West Point, New York.
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.
