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Paul Laurence Dunbar Commemorative Coin Act

USA119th CongressHR-8227| House 
| Updated: 4/9/2026
Eleanor Holmes Norton

Eleanor Holmes Norton

Democratic Representative

District of Columbia

Financial Services Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint a series of commemorative coins honoring Paul Laurence Dunbar , a highly influential African-American poet. The program aims to recognize Dunbar's significant contributions to American literature, including his classic works like "Majors and Minors" and "Lyrics of Lowly Life," and his role in composing the lyrics for "In Dahomey," the first all-African-American musical on Broadway. The commemorative coin series will include three denominations: up to 50,000 $5 gold coins , 400,000 $1 silver coins , and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins . These coins will be issued during a one-year period beginning January 1, 2028, and their designs will be emblematic of Dunbar, selected after consultation with the Commission of Fine Arts and the Dunbar Alumni Federation. A key provision of the bill is the collection of surcharges on coin sales: $35 for each gold coin, $10 for each silver coin, and $5 for each half-dollar coin. These surcharges will be distributed to the Dunbar Alumni Federation , an organization dedicated to providing scholarships and financial support to students and graduates of Dunbar High School, the nation's first public high school for African-American students. The bill includes financial assurances to ensure that the coin program operates without any net cost to the United States Government. Surcharges will only be disbursed to the Federation after all costs associated with designing and issuing the coins have been fully recovered by the U.S. Treasury, thereby protecting taxpayer funds.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-4332
Paul Laurence Dunbar Commemorative Coin Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-5940
Paul Laurence Dunbar Commemorative Coin Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7861
Paul Laurence Dunbar Commemorative Coin Act
Apr 9, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 9, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Apr 9, 2026
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E308)
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-4332
    Paul Laurence Dunbar Commemorative Coin Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-5940
    Paul Laurence Dunbar Commemorative Coin Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7861
    Paul Laurence Dunbar Commemorative Coin Act


  • April 9, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 9, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.


  • April 9, 2026
    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E308)

Paul Laurence Dunbar Commemorative Coin Act

USA119th CongressHR-8227| House 
| Updated: 4/9/2026
This legislation directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint a series of commemorative coins honoring Paul Laurence Dunbar , a highly influential African-American poet. The program aims to recognize Dunbar's significant contributions to American literature, including his classic works like "Majors and Minors" and "Lyrics of Lowly Life," and his role in composing the lyrics for "In Dahomey," the first all-African-American musical on Broadway. The commemorative coin series will include three denominations: up to 50,000 $5 gold coins , 400,000 $1 silver coins , and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins . These coins will be issued during a one-year period beginning January 1, 2028, and their designs will be emblematic of Dunbar, selected after consultation with the Commission of Fine Arts and the Dunbar Alumni Federation. A key provision of the bill is the collection of surcharges on coin sales: $35 for each gold coin, $10 for each silver coin, and $5 for each half-dollar coin. These surcharges will be distributed to the Dunbar Alumni Federation , an organization dedicated to providing scholarships and financial support to students and graduates of Dunbar High School, the nation's first public high school for African-American students. The bill includes financial assurances to ensure that the coin program operates without any net cost to the United States Government. Surcharges will only be disbursed to the Federation after all costs associated with designing and issuing the coins have been fully recovered by the U.S. Treasury, thereby protecting taxpayer funds.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-4332
Paul Laurence Dunbar Commemorative Coin Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-5940
Paul Laurence Dunbar Commemorative Coin Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7861
Paul Laurence Dunbar Commemorative Coin Act
Apr 9, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 9, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Apr 9, 2026
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E308)
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-4332
    Paul Laurence Dunbar Commemorative Coin Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-5940
    Paul Laurence Dunbar Commemorative Coin Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7861
    Paul Laurence Dunbar Commemorative Coin Act


  • April 9, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 9, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.


  • April 9, 2026
    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E308)
Eleanor Holmes Norton

Eleanor Holmes Norton

Democratic Representative

District of Columbia

Financial Services Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted