Washington, D.C — In response to the release of the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee (CCCAC) 8th Annual Report to Members of Congress for 2001, the U.S. Mint endorsed the vital, valuable interests that the Committee has served in helping reform and shape the modern commemorative coin program.
“We look forward to continued strong collaboration with the Committee, Congress and the Treasury Department to implement commemorative coin programs in the future that best benefit collectors and all Americans,” said Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore.
As with past reports, the 2001 Annual Report outlines specific commemorative coin theme and mintage level recommendations for a 5–year period and provides other recommendations to Congress the Committee felt would strengthen the commemorative coin program and the hobby of coin collecting, including adhering to the Commemorative Coin Reform Act, maintaining program integrity after passage of legislation, and consideration of timelines for program production when passing legislation.
The Mint’s response to specific recommendations from the report:
1. Continued and Improved Collaboration with Congress and the Mint — The Mint appreciates the contributions of the CCCAC membership and recognizes the important interests that the CCCAC serves in strengthening the commemorative coin program for collectors and the American public. The Mint is committed to continued work with the CCCAC.
2. Continued and Improved Outreach to Citizens and Collectors — Though not specifically a part of the Committee’s responsibilities as outlined in the law, the Mint values the information resulting from the outreach and supports continuation of this activity.
3. Ensured Continuity of Membership and Clearer Role for the Committee — The Mint is reviewing the process for obtaining member candidates for the Committee and plans to provide recommendations to the Secretary in the next few months. When details regarding the process are finalized, they will be shared with current members and the numismatic press. The Mint will coordinate with the CCCAC and Congress once recommendations are approved by the Secretary.
4. Extension of the Quarter Program to Include D.C. and Territories — The Mint will work with the Department of the Treasury and the Congress to provide any necessary technical assistance related to this recommendation.
5. Exploration of Coin Redesign — The Mint is looking at coin redesign. We will be providing a coin display to Congress to support efforts to assess design options.
6. Support for Copyright Protection for Designs — As noted in the Annual Report, the Mint established a consumer awareness website to provide guidance to consumers and businesses related to replica products. The Mint is currently exploring other opportunities to protect consumers.
7. Support for a Mint Museum — The Mint is working with Congress to obtain the necessary approval for the museum, before moving forward.
The letter accompanying the report to Congress signed by the six current Committee members reiterates the cooperative partnership Committee members view as essential to their continued effectiveness: “The members of the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee have been honored to serve Congress, to work with Treasury and Mint professionals and to represent the interests of America and American collectors — both current and future, in the issues of the modern commemorative coinage. Thank you for the opportunity to continue to advise the Secretary, report to Congress and serve our country.”
Authorized in 1993 by Public Law 102–390, the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee (CCCAC) serves at the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury to designate annually the events, persons, or places the committee recommends be commemorated by the issuance of commemorative coins; to make recommendations with respect to mintage levels; to review designs for commemorative coins and provide recommendations to the Secretary, and to submit a report to Congress containing a description of the events, persons or places which the Committee recommends be commemorated by a coin, the mintage level recommended and the committee’s reasons for such recommendations.
By law, committee members are appointed to 4–year terms, but may continue to serve after the expiration of the term until the Secretary of the Treasury has appointed a successor.
Currently, there is no Mint representative serving the committee and there are two vacancies on the committee resulting in the resignation of Jules Riever and the death of Elvira Clain–Stefanelli in 2001.