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April 24, 2023 The Honorable Janet Yellen Secretary of the Treasury Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20220 Dear Madam Secretary: The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) held a public meeting on April 18, 2023, during which the CCAC reviewed candidate designs and made recommendations for the obverse and reverse of the Congressional Gold Medal to the servicemembers who perished in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021. Public Law 117-72 awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the servicemembers who perished during the evacuation of United States citizens and Afghan allies at Hamid Karzai International Airport. As background information regarding this program will accompany this communication, this letter details the CCAC’s recommendations. The CCAC reviewed a portfolio of eight obverse candidate designs and the six reverse candidate designs presented by the United States Mint. Following a robust discussion and congruent with the practice of supporting the preferences of liaisons for Congressional Gold Medal programs, the CCAC voted ten members in favor and one against to recommend obverse design AUG26-O-06 and reverse design AUG26-R-06. Both of these designs are preferred by the primary liaisons. AUG26-O-06 depicts five servicemembers in silhouette standing over a crowd of people waiting to board a C-17 with the mountains of Kabul in the background. There are 13 stars incused over their heads, representing the 13 fallen. AUG26-R-06 features the names of the fallen servicemembers and an American flag surrounded by a wreath. As a Vietnam US Army veteran, I fully embrace the decision to support the recommendations of the liaisons. This program reminds me of the inscriptions on the clad half dollar of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor program: “all gave some” on the obverse and “some gave all” on the reverse. For this reason, a Congressional Gold Medal is an understandable next step after a Purple Heart to recognize their courage and the gratitude of a thankful nation. Accordingly, and on behalf of the CCAC, the CCAC is thankful for its participation in recommending designs of the sacrifices of Americans. Sincerely, Lawrence S. Brown, Jr., MD, MPH, FACP, DFASAM CCAC Chairperson Established by an Act of Congress, Public Law 108-15 https://www.ccac.gov April 24, 2023 The Honorable Janet Yellen Secretary of the Treasury Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20220 Dear Madam Secretary: The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) held a public meeting on April 18, 2023, during which the CCAC reviewed candidate designs and made recommendations for the 2024 Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin program. Public Law 117-62 authorizes the Mint to issue $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the World War II Memorial and the service and sacrifice of American soldiers and civilians during World War II. As background information regarding this program will accompany this communication, this letter details the CCAC’s recommendations. For this discussion, the CCAC was joined in person by Ms. Holly Rotondi, Executive Director of the Friends of the National World War II Memorial. This was just the second time in years, largely due to the Covid-19 pandemic that liaisons to coin or medal program participated in person in discussions with the CCAC. Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Program, Five Dollar Gold Coin The CCAC reviewed four obverse and seven reverse candidate designs for the five-dollar gold dollar commemorative coin. Unanimously, the CCAC recommended obverse design GG-G-O-03 and reverse design GG-G-R-01A. The former is a preference of the liaison. GG-G-O-03 depicts the Wall of Stars at the World War II Memorial with an olive branch and the additional inscription “WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL.” This is preferred artistically and that the story it tells is more conspicuous. The narrative should include the significance of the stars and the olive branch. GG-G-R-01A depict a folded flag with the additional inscription “WWII MEMORIAL.” Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Program, One Dollar Silver Dollar Coin The CCAC reviewed nine obverse and eleven reverse candidate designs for the one-dollar silver dollar commemorative coin. Unanimously, the CCAC recommended obverse design GG-S-O-02B and reverse design GG-S-R-01A. The latter is a preference of the liaison. GG-S-O-02B feature an allegorical tableau of figures supporting a globe. Each figure represents a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces during WWII (Air Force, Coast Guard, Navy, Army, and Marine Corps) plus a figure representing the critical work of the Merchant Marines. Established by an Act of Congress, Public Law 108-15 https://www.ccac.gov GG-S-R-01A depict a view from beneath a baldacchino, a sculptural canopy, inside a victory pavilion in the World War II Memorial featuring four eagles holding a laurel wreath. Inside the wreath is a globe centered on the Pacific Ocean. The additional inscriptions are “VICTORY,” “IN THE AIR,” “AT SEA,” and “ON LAND.” Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Program, Half Dollar Clad Coin The CCAC reviewed seven obverse and six reverse candidate designs for the half-dollar clad commemorative coin. The CCAC embraced a recommendation from the liaison in unanimously recommending obverse design GG-S-O-03 with a modification of the inscription to read “WE ANSWERED THE CALL.” GG-S-O-03 features a reimagining of the figure of Liberation on the World War II Victory medal, awarded to all who served in the Armed Forces during World War II. The additional inscription is “WORLD WAR II.” Unanimously, the CCAC recommended reverse design GG-C-R-07, which is a preference of the liaison. GG-C-R-07 depicts the World War II Memorial from the point of view of a person walking up a ramp leading to one of the towers. I join my colleagues of the CCAC in expressing our thanks for our participation in the process of this Congressional Gold Medal program. As a Vietnam veteran and numismatist, I enthusiastically wait for the opportunity to purchase one of the bronze replicas of this Congressional Gold Medal when they become available as it is another reflection of the “Greatest Generation”. Sincerely, Lawrence S. Brown, Jr., MD, MPH, FACP, DFASAM CCAC Chairperson April 24, 2023 The Honorable Janet Yellen Secretary of the Treasury Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20220 Dear Madam Secretary: The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) held a public meeting on April 18, 2023, during which the CCAC reviewed candidate designs and made recommendations for the 2024 Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin program. As per Public Law 117-163, the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act (Act), recognizes the Bicentennial of Harriet Tubman’s birth. The Act instructs that designs shall be emblematic of her legacy as an abolitionist. As background information regarding this program will accompany this communication, this letter details the CCAC’s recommendations. The CCAC reviewed the candidate designs for the obverses and reverses of the three coins in the Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Program, which were developed consistent with the three periods of Ms. Tubman’s life and work. The silver dollar designs reflect her work as a conductor on the Underground Railroad; the half dollar designs represent her work during the Civil War; and the five-dollar gold coin reflects her life after the Civil War and into her later years. Ms. Karen Hill, President and CEO of the Harriet Tubman Home Inc. and Mr. Woodrow Keown Jr, President and COO of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the liaisons for this program, joined the CCAC to discuss the candidate designs. This was the first time in years, largely due to the Covid19 pandemic, that liaisons to coin or medal program participated in person in discussions with the CCAC. One of the take home messages from Ms. Hill was Ms. Tubman’s legacy extended beyond her Underground Railroad efforts. Mr. Keown’s major take home message was Ms. Tubman’s role in the development of this country. Because of the richness of the portfolios provided by the United States Mint, the CCAC’s recommendations followed extensive conversations with Ms. Hill and Mr. Keown before making recommendations on each of the three coins in this program. Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Program, One Dollar Silver Coin The CCAC reviewed six obverse and six reverse candidate designs for the one-dollar silver commemorative coin. Unanimously, the CCAC recommended obverse HT-S-O-01 and reverse HT-S-R-01. Both of these are the preferences of the liaisons. HT-S-O-01 depicts Harriet Tubman offering her hand to the viewer. Ms. Tubman’s serious and searching expression, with concerted eye contact, challenges the viewer to seize the opportunity for freedom. The design has good negative space, giving greater focus on the major design element. HT-S-R-01 features silhouettes travelling across a bridge created by a pair of clasping arms. In the sky above, the Big Dipper constellation points to the North Star, which forms the “O” in “OF.” Established by an Act of Congress, Public Law 108-15 https://www.ccac.gov Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Program, Half Dollar Clad Coin The CCAC reviewed seven obverse and six reverse candidate designs for the half dollar clad commemorative coin. Following an extensive discussion, by a vote of 10 CCAC members in favor and one opposed, the CCAC recommended obverse design HT-C-O-04 and reverse design HT-C-R-05. Both of these are the preferences of the liaisons. HT-C-O-04 depicts Harriet Tubman. In the background, two Civil War-era boats represent the Combahee River Raid. Ms. Tubman distinguished herself as the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the Civil War, the Combahee River Raid, resulting in more than 700 (or 750) enslaved persons in South Carolina being freed. This narrative would be crucial for the observer to understand the relationship between the design elements and the Civil War. HT-C-R-05 includes a row of Civil War-era tents lining the horizon and depicts Harriet Tubman holding a spyglass, symbolic of her work as a scout and a spy for the Union Army during the U.S. Civil War. Additional inscriptions include “CIVIL WAR,” “NURSE,” “SCOUT,” “SPY,” and “COMBAHEE RIVER RAID LEADER.” Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Program, Five Dollar Gold Coin The CCAC reviewed six obverse and six reverse candidate designs for the five-dollar gold commemorative coin. Unanimously, the CCAC recommended obverse design HT-G-O-04 modified to display her hair and reverse design HT-G-R-01A. These recommendations were consistent with the guidance of the liaisons. HT-G-O-04 portrays Harriet Tubman in her years after the Civil War. HT-G-R-01A depicts a two-handed gesture, symbolizing Harriet Tubman’s efforts throughout her life to help and care for people and includes Harriet Tubman’s seven core values, passed down from generation to generation. Those are “FAITH,” “FREEDOM,” “FAMILY,” “COMMUNITY,” SELF-DETERMINATION,” “SOCIAL JUSTICE,” and “EQUALITY.” Clearly, the United States Mint superbly embraced the liaisons in presenting a phenomenal portfolio of candidate designs. The CCAC benefited from the presence of the liaisons as they complemented the written narrative provided to the CCAC. Their presence added undeniable richness to the CCAC’s discussion. On behalf of the CCAC, we are thankful to continue our participation in the process of recommending designs that will be discussed and appreciated by Americans for years to come in telling and revealing often unrealized chapters in the history of the United States. Sincerely, Lawrence S. Brown, Jr., MD, MPH, FACP, DFASAM CCAC Chairperson April 24, 2023 The Honorable Janet Yellen Secretary of the Treasury Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20220 Dear Madam Secretary: The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) held a public meeting on April 18, 2023, during which the CCAC reviewed candidate designs and made recommendations for the obverse and reverse of the Congressional Gold Medal to the members of the Women’s Army Corps who were assigned to the 6888 th Central Postal Directory Battalion, known as the Six Triple Eight. As background information regarding this program will accompany this communication, this letter details the CCAC’s recommendations. To assist the CCAC in its review, the CCAC was fortunate to have, in person, the participation of Ms. Edna Cummings, a Six Triple Eight Advocate and Producer of the Six Triple Eight Documentary; Mr. Carlton Philpot, Chairman and Project Director of the 6888th Monument Projects; and Ms. Tracy Bradford, Curator of the U.S. Army Women’s Museum. The CCAC reviewed a portfolio of eight obverse candidate designs and the six reverse candidate designs presented by the United States Mint. Following interesting input from the liaisons, the CCAC voted unanimously to recommend obverse design STE-O-03 and reverse design STE-R-03. Both of these designs are preferred by the primary liaisons. The CCAC recommended that the Mint work with the liaisons to determine if any additional inscriptions are appropriate to add to the design. STE-O-03 depicts Major Charity Adams next to a row of members from the 6888. A partial exergue is created by an envelope inscribed with “WOMEN’S ARMY CORPS,” “2/12/1945 – 3/2/1946,” and “ACT OF CONGRESS 2022.” The additional inscription is “6888 th CENTRAL POSTAL DIRECTORY BATTALION.” STE-R-03 depicts a member of the 6888 distributing mail to be sent out to American soldiers. Behind her, members of her battalion are sorting and addressing mail to the troops. They work in a warehouse filled to the ceiling with unsorted mail. The additional inscriptions are “ENGLAND,” “FRANCE,” and “NO MAIL, LOW MORALE.” Established by an Act of Congress, Public Law 108-15 https://www.ccac.gov As a US Army veteran from a different era, I was pleased to learn about this cadre of courageous women, who dealt with racism, sexism, and our enemies during World War II, while making unquestionable efforts to support the morale of their military brothers and sisters. On behalf of the CCAC, we are thankful to continue our participation in the process of recommending designs that will reveal for many Americans the patriotic efforts of women in the history of the United States. Partly because I am a veteran, I intend to purchase a bronze replica of this Congressional Gold Medal when it becomes available. Sincerely, Lawrence S. Brown, Jr., MD, MPH, FACP, DFASAM CCAC Chairperson
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