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Mike Unser

United States Marshals Service Star Badge

President Obama signed the United States Marshals Service 225th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act into law on Monday, April 2, 2012.

The Act, now Public Law 112-104, sets the parameters for the United States Mint to produce up to 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 silver dollars and 750,000 clad half dollars in calendar year 2015. These coins will be struck in collector proof and uncirculated qualities, bringing the total types of coins to six.

As outlined by the law, coin designs will be emblematic of the 225 years of achievements of the U.S. Marshals Service, America’s first Federal law enforcement agency. This includes inscriptions of the 225th anniversary dates of 1789 and 2014. Designs elements will incorporate an image of the U.S. Marshals Service Star on the obverse (heads side) of the $5 gold coin and silver dollar.

Modern commemoratives produced by the U.S. Mint require coin surcharges. Public Law 112-104 dictates surcharge amounts of $35 per $5 gold coin, $10 for each silver dollar, and $3 per clad half dollar. The first $5 million in profits will assist the U.S. Marshals Museum for the preservation, maintenance, and display of artifacts and documents. Remaining amounts will be split in thirds, with proceeds sent to the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Law Enforcement Museum, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

In a brief account of the Act’s timeline, it was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Steve Womack [R-AR3] on March 2, 2011. Numbered H.R. 886, the bill easily passed in the House on December 15, 2011. The Senate gave its approval on March 15, 2012 to a slightly amended version. That amended bill passed in the House on March 21, 2012.

"Today marked the end of a long road for the City of Fort Smith and the U.S. Marshals Museum. With its passage, this coin will forever serve as a symbol and constant reminder of the character and tradition of one of America’s greatest institutions," Rep. Womack said following its passage. "I thank my colleague Rep. Mike Ross for his help in the House as well as Senators Boozman and Pryor for their efforts in the Senate."