As a part of the U.S. Department of Treasury, the United States Mint derives its authority from the United States Congress.  Congress must authorize every coin and most medals that the U.S. Mint manufactures.  In addition, Congress oversees the Mint's operations under its Public Enterprise Fund (PEF).

By clicking on the links below, you can review Mint-related legislation currently before Congress and enacted legislation, also known as “Public Law (e.g. P.L. 104-52).”  These laws authorize and mandate the development, manufacture, and production of coins and medals, as well as the operations of the Mint.  (Mint authorities can also be found under Title 31 of the United States Code.)

Read the legislation to find out about the historical events and personal achievements Congress honors through the authorization of coins and medals.  Learn about the limits Congress sets on the number of coins the Mint can produce and the flexibilities Congress provided through the PEF.  Check out Congress's requirements on coin design and metallic content.  Get acquainted with the pending legislation on new coins or medals Congress is considering.

For more information on new and forthcoming commemorative coins and medals, visit our Commemoratives and Medals pages.

Coins Legislated by Congress		Public Law Number		Date Bill Passed into Law		The U.S. Mint can issue this coin until...
The United States $1 Coin Act of 1997 (Golden Dollar)		105-124, section 4		December 1, 1997		Indefinitely
The 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act		105-124, sections 1-3		December 1, 1997		December 1, 2009
Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act		106-126, sections 301-309		December 6, 1999		December 31, 2004
Thomas Alva Edison Commemorative Coin Act		105-331		October 31, 1998		December 31, 2004
First Flight Commemorative Coin Act		105-124, section 6		December 1, 1999		July 31, 2004
United States Military Academy Commemorative Coin Act		103-328		September 29, 1994		December 31, 2002
American Buffalo Coin Commemorative Coin Act of 2000 or National Museum of the American Indian Commemorative Coin Act of 2000		106-375		October 27, 2000		December 31, 2001
United States Capitol Visitor Center Commemorative Coin Act		106-126, sections 201-208		December 6, 1999		December 31, 2001
Library of Congress Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act of 1998		105-268		October 19, 1998		December 31, 2000
Leif Ericson Millennium Commemorative Coin Act		106-126, sections 101-107		December 6, 1999		December 31, 2000
Dolley Madison Commemorative Coin Act		104-329, section 101.1		October 20, 1996		December 31, 1999
George Washington Commemorative Coin Act		104-329, section 101.2		October 20, 1996		November 31, 1999
Yellowstone National Park Commemorative Coin Act		104-329, section 101.5		October 20, 1996		End of 1-year period beginning in 1999
Jackie Robinson Commemorative Coin Act		104-329, section 101.7		October 20, 1996		July 1, 1998
Black Revolutionary War Patriots Commemorative Coin Act (Crispus Attucks)		104-329, section 101.3		October 20, 1996		December 31, 1998
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Commemorative Coin Act		104-329, section 101.4		October 20, 1996		End of 1-year period beginning on or after May 15, 1997
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Commemorative Coin Act		104-329, section 101.6		October 20, 1996		End of 1-year period beginning on or after December 15, 1997
Smithsonian Institution Sesquicentennial Commemorative Coin Act of 1995		104-96		January 10, 1996		July 31, 1997

Medals Legislated by Congress		Public Law Number		Date Bill Passed into Law
Navajo Code Talkers Medal		106-554		December 15, 2000
Ronald and Nancy Reagan Medal		106-251		July 27, 2000
Pope John Paul II Medal		106-250		July 27, 2000
Charles M. Schulz		106-225		June 20, 2000
Cardinal John O’Connor Medal		106-175		March 5, 2000
Hesburgh Medal		106-153		December 9, 1999
Rosa Parks Medal		106-026		May 4, 1999
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Medal		105-51		October 6, 1997
Little Rock Nine Medal		105-277		October 21, 1998
Nelson Mandela Medal		105-215		July 28, 1998
Mother Teresa of Calcutta Medal		105-16		June 2, 1997
Frank Sinatra Medal		105-14		May 14, 1997
Billy and Ruth Graham Medal		104-111		February 13, 1996
Benjamin Franklin Medal		102-406		October 12, 1992
General Colin L. Powell Medal		102-33		April 23, 1991
General H. Norman Schwarzkopf Medal		102-32		April 23, 1991

Oct 4, 2002
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