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June 29, 2021 The Honorable Janet Yellen Secretary of the Treasury Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20220 Dear Madam Secretary: The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) held a public meeting via video conference on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, during which the CCAC made recommendations for the obverse and reverse designs for the Merrill’s Marauders Congressional Gold Medal (P.L. 116-170). The Merrill’s Marauders significantly advanced the Allied Forces’ effort to defeat Japan during World War II. Their success in the China Burma India (CBI) Theater during 1944 altered the course of the war in Asia. Travelling only with what they could carry on their backs or pack on mules, they made military history by walking almost 1,000 miles, farther than any WWII fighting force. They were kept alive by C-47 airdrops of ammunition, food, medical supplies, and grain for the mules. The CCAC had the pleasure of hosting the following liaisons: Mr. John Passanisi, son of Merrill's Marauder, Mr. Robert Passanisi; Mr. Robert Howland, son of Merrill's Marauder, Mr. Gilbert Howland; and Mr. Travis James West, President, U.S. Army Ranger Association. The CCAC recommends MM-R-11 and MM-O-05C; however, based on the artist’s designs and the back stories of the liaisons, the CCAC unanimously recommends switching the obverse and reverse designs as recommendations. Thus, the CCAC recommends MM-R-11 as the obverse design and MM-O-05C as the reverse design. The designs garnered scores of 16 points and 23 points, respectively, out of a possible 30 points. The obverse design displays a group of Merrill’s Marauders crossing a river in Burma, with the foreground muleskinner leading a pack mule. The reverse design depicts the Merrill’s Marauders patch positioned just below a Bronze Star, an award every member of the unit received for their bravery. The Burmese mountains and jungle appear in the background, and the Marauders’ five key battles circumscribe the rim of the design. The designs also include the inscription “DEEP BEHIND ENEMY LINES” and the Combat Infantry Badge. The CCAC unanimously approved two additional recommendations. The first, intended for MM-R-11, is to add the inscription “5307th COMPOSITE UNIT PROVISIONAL” in an arc Established by An Act of Congress, Public Law 108-15 https://www.ccac.gov underneath the inscription “MERRILL’S MARAUDERS.” The second, intended for MM-O05C, is to add a C-47 supply plane and parachutes to the design. The CCAC was honored to work with exceptional heroes from the Merrill’s Marauders squad and their family members. Best regards, Mary N. Lannin Chairperson Established by An Act of Congress, Public Law 108-15 https://www.ccac.gov June 29, 2021 The Honorable Janet Yellen Secretary of the Treasury Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20220 Dear Madam Secretary: The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) held a public meeting via video conference on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, during which the CCAC made recommendations for the Negro Leagues Baseball Centennial Commemorative Coins, featuring a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a clad half-dollar coin (P. L. 116-209). The CCAC was joined by Mr. Bob Kendrick, President, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, who was enthusiastic about the designs presented. With 11 CCAC members present, 33 represents the highest score possible for recommendation. The CCAC members surveyed all possible pairings across the denominations, and made recommendations for designs utilizing two gold sets of pairs. The $5 gold coin recommendations are for NLB-G-O-05 and NLB-G-R-05, separately garnering 24 and 18 points, respectively, by far the most popular pairing. The obverse design depicts the tense moment of a batter poised to hit a baseball, symbolic of the excitement and skill players brought to the field. The complementary reverse design depicts a player’s tip of the hat. Additional inscriptions on the obverse are “NEGRO LEAGUES BASEBALL” and “FOR LOVE OF THE GAME” on the reverse. The $1 silver coin design pair NLB-S-O-01 and NLB-S-R-01 achieved a perfect score of 33 points and is the CCAC’s recommendation. Design NLB-S-O-01 features a batter hitting a baseball, and in its corresponding design, NLB-S-R-01, depicts a crowd of hands excitedly reaching upward for a homerun ball. The additional inscription “NLBM” is included. The half-dollar clad coin hit a winning design with the choice of the CCAC to return to the gold portfolio, with design NLB-G-O-01 showing a pitcher in action and in its corresponding design, NLB-G-R-01, depicting a batter, ready to hit that ball. These designs lock the players in the eternal moment in which the ball crosses between the mound and the plate, representing the legacy and pride of Negro League players. The obverse bears the inscription “NEGRO LEAGUES BASEBALL,” while “THEIR LEGACY PLAYS ON” is inscribed on the reverse. Established by An Act of Congress, Public Law 108-15 https://www.ccac.gov Out of 33 possible points, this design pairing received a score of 21 and 24 points, respectively, far more than the second-place clad design of NLB-C-O-03 and NLB-C-R-03, which received 17 points each. Our liaison, Mr. Bob Kendrick, enthusiastically supported the CCAC’s recommendations, and remarked that they were a perfect birthday present for him. As always, our CCAC researched, debated, and recommended what we believe is an excellent narrative arc for the three-coin set. Best regards, Mary N. Lannin Chair Established by An Act of Congress, Public Law 108-15 https://www.ccac.gov