CCAC Public Meeting 07/22/2025

Here is a comprehensive summary of the provided YouTube video transcript:

Key Concepts

• Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC): A committee that advises the Secretary of the Treasury on numismatic matters, including commemorative coin programs and circulating coinage.
• Congressional Gold Medal: A prestigious award bestowed by the U.S. Congress.
• Commemorative Coin Program: Programs to mint coins that honor significant events, people, or places.
• Circulating Coinage: Coins intended for general circulation.
• Numismatic Themes Working Group: A subcommittee of the CCAC focused on developing recommendations for future coin programs and reports.
• Obverse/Reverse: The front (obverse) and back (reverse) sides of a coin.
• Commission of Fine Arts (CFA): An advisory body that reviews designs for federal projects, including coins.
• Restrikes/Reproductions: Replicas or new mintings of historical coins.
• Mint Sets/Proof Sets: Special coin collections issued by the U.S. Mint.

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Meeting of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC)

Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 Time: 12:01 p.m. (Call to Order)

1. Opening and Introductions

• The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Peter Van Offen.
• The meeting was recorded and made public.
• Members were reminded to mute their microphones when not speaking and to announce their names for the transcript.
• Committee Members Present:
  • Arthur Bernstein (General Public)
  • Dr. Harkcourt Fuller (Recommended by Speaker of the House)
  • Dr. Christopher Capazola (American History Specialist)
  • Denny Steven Solomon (Sculpture/Medallic Art Specialist)
  • John Saunders (Recommended by House Minority Leader)
  • Michael Moran (Recommended by Senate Majority Leader)
  • Donald Skarinsy (Recommended by Senate Minority Leader)
  • Sam Gilbert (Numismatics Specialist)
  • Helen Hord (General Public)
  • Alisa Perie (General Public)
  • Peter Van Offen (Numismatic Curator and Chairperson)
• A quorum was confirmed.
• Press in Attendance: Mike Uner (Coin News), Sophia Matamore (Numismatics), Paul Gils (Coin World).
• Mint Staff Present: Megan Sullivan (Acting Chief, Office of Design Management), Roger Vasquez (Senior Design Specialist), Russell Evans (Design Manager), Beneza Hancock (Design Manager), Dret Bajal (Design Manager), Michael Costello (Manager of Design and Engraving), Jennifer Warren (Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs and Liaison), Greg Wyman (Acting Chief Counsel).
• Guests: Commander Everett Alvarez Jr. (Honoree for Congressional Gold Medal), John Ralber (Government Relations Manager for FIFA World Cup 2026).

2. Approval of Minutes

• Minutes from the April 15, 2025, public meeting were presented.
• Motion to approve: Arthur Bernstein.
• Second: Harkcourt Fuller.
• Outcome: Approved unanimously.

3. Review and Discussion: Everett Alvarez Jr. Congressional Gold Medal

• Background: Commander Everett Alvarez Jr. was a naval aviator shot down on August 5, 1964, during Operation Pierce Arrow, becoming the first American aviator shot down over North Vietnam. He was held as a Prisoner of War (POW) for 8 years and 6 months (3,113 days) until February 12, 1973. He endured torture and interrogation but remained loyal to the U.S. and inspired other POWs to "return with honor."
• Public Law 118-161: Authorized the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Commander Alvarez.
• Design Development: The Mint worked directly with Commander Alvarez.
• Candidate Designs Presented by Megan Sullivan and Roger Vasquez:
  • Obverse Designs:
    • Design 2, 2A, 2B: Depict Alvarez in his 1964 Navy flight suit with Navy aviator wings. Feature two A4 Skyhawks in flight.
      • Design 2: Includes the USS Constellation (Kitty Hawk class carrier) in open water.
      • Design 2A: Replaces water/carrier with fields.
      • Design 2B: Fields recede to a beach and ocean, with the USS Constellation on the distant horizon.
    • Inscriptions: Commander Everett Alvarez Jr., Act of Congress 2023.
    • Commander Alvarez's Preference: Design 2B (inclusion of land, sea, and USS Constellation).
    • CFA Recommendation: Design 2B.
  • Reverse Designs:
    • All depict POWs lined up to return home, wearing release attire. POWs are generalized, except for Alvarez.
    • Incorporate elements of the "4th Allied POW Wing Crest" (not an official emblem, created by a former POW, with '4' signifying Vietnam as the fourth conflict with POWs).
    • Inscription: Return with Honor.
    • Design 1: Broken barbed wire at the top. Dog tag inscribed "3113 days." Guard tower in the background. Inscriptions: Courage, Resiliency, Honor, Faith, Duty. Date range of captivity.
    • Commander Alvarez's Preference: Design 1.
    • Design 3: U.S. flag in the background. Additional inscriptions: Commitment, Courage.
    • Commander Alvarez's Third Preference: Design 3.
    • Design 5A: Guard tower in the background. Inscriptions: Courage, Resiliency, Faith, Duty, Commitment.
    • CFA Recommendation: Design 5A, with a slight reduction in the prominence of the numeral '4' in the crest.
• Committee Discussion and Vote:
  • Donald Skarinsy's Motion: To approve Obverse 2B and Reverse 5A universally.
  • Arthur Bernstein's Friendly Amendment: To include the CFA's recommendation to reduce the prominence of the numeral '4' on Reverse 5A.
  • Vote: The motion carried.
• Outcome: Obverse 2B and Reverse 5A were approved, with the modification to reduce the prominence of the numeral '4' on the reverse.
• Chairperson's Remarks: Expressed honor and gratitude to Commander Alvarez, acknowledging his sacrifices and those of his family.
• Scoring: Members were asked to submit scoring sheets for evaluation.

4. Review and Discussion: 2026 FIFA World Cup Commemorative Coin Program

• Background: The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest ever, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, featuring 48 teams and 16 cities. The U.S. hosts 78 of 104 matches. The event is expected to draw over 5 billion viewers globally.
• Program Structure: A standard three-coin commemorative set (gold, silver, clad) with a common reverse design within each set. Artists were asked to design for entire sets. Two reverse-only sets were also presented.
• FIFA World Cup 2026 Liaison (John Ralber) and Team (Marne Marada) Input:
  • Motto: "Football unites the world" is a key motto. "All you need is a ball" is a sentiment but not an official motto.
  • Preferences:
    • Obverse: Set number one (primary), Clad 3B (secondary).
    • Reverse: Set 1A (primary), Set four (secondary).
  • CFA Recommendation: Disliked designs with people, recommended Set five.
• Candidate Designs Presented by Megan Sullivan:
  • Set 1:
    • Obverses: Gold 1 (globe over North America within soccer ball panels), Silver 1 (soccer player, FIFA Unity logo), Clad 1 (player executing bicycle kick, stacked '26 logo), Clad 1A (player against stylized '2026').
    • Reverse 1: Three hands holding the FIFA World Cup trophy, inscriptions "Canada and Mexico."
    • Reverse 1A: Three hands holding the trophy, inscription "United States of America." (FIFA's preferred variant).
  • Set 2:
    • Obverses: Gold 2 (globe as soccer ball over host countries, "football unites the world"), Silver 2 (soccer player bicycle kick), Clad 2/2A (boy dreaming of being a pro, stadium in background for 2, none for 2A).
    • Reverse: Official FIFA World Cup 2026 logo (trophy against stacked '26).
  • Set 3:
    • Obverses: Gold 3 (three players with flag, global unity), Silver 3 (players creating goalposts, cheering crowds/flags), Clad 3/3A/3B/3C (player charging ball, defender's leg in foreground for 3/3A, children playing soccer for 3B/3C).
    • Reverse: Official FIFA World Cup 2026 logo.
  • Set 4:
    • Obverses: Gold 4 (bald eagle, Mexican eagle, maple leaf around a soccer ball), Silver 4 (player bicycle kick, stylized ball texture), Clad 4/4A (player showing ball handling skills).
    • Reverse: Official FIFA World Cup 2026 logo with stylized soccer ball.
  • Set 5: (CFA Recommended)
    • Obverses: Gold 5/5A (soccer ball soaring out of North America), Silver 5/5A (fans in stadium, ball above), Clad 5/5A (goalie's hands preparing to block, "all you need is a ball").
    • Reverse: Official FIFA World Cup 2026 logo with fireworks.
  • Set 6:
    • Obverses: Gold 6 (globe over ball, three players' feet with country flag elements), Silver 6 (players battling for ball in stadium), Clad 6 (boys playing soccer in street, city skyline).
    • Reverse: Various layouts of FIFA World Cup trophy with stacked '26.
  • Additional Reverse Options (Set 7 & 8): Silhouetted soccer players against a soccer ball with trophy/logo.
• Committee Discussion and Scoring:
  • General Consensus: Strong preference for Set 1, particularly Reverse 1A. Concerns about designs with people (CFA's stance) were debated, with most members finding people integral to the sport.
  • Key Themes: Motion, dynamism, hemispheric unity, representing the spirit of the World Cup, avoiding generic soccer designs.
  • Specific Preferences:
    • Reverse: Reverse 1A (United States of America only) was overwhelmingly favored due to potential confusion with multiple country names.
    • Obverses: Set 1 obverses were highly praised, especially the gold and silver. Clad obverses were debated, with some preferring adult players for dynamism and others concerned about overlap with future youth sports quarters.
    • Mixing and Matching: Some members preferred selecting individual designs across sets, while others favored maintaining stylistic integrity within a set.
  • Scoring Results (Presented by Greg Wyman):
    • Sets: Set 1 (23 points - highest), Set 2 (5), Set 3 (3), Set 4 (5), Set 6 (4), Set 5 (0).
    • Gold Obverses: Gold 1 (26 points - highest).
    • Silver Obverses: Silver 1 (18 points - highest).
    • Clad Obverses: Clad 1 (11), Clad 3 (11), Clad 3B (11) tied for highest.
    • Common Reverses: Reverse 1A (29 points - highest), Set 7 (13), Set 1 (12).
• Decision on Procedure:
  • Arthur Bernstein's Motion: Recommend Reverse 1A and Obverses from Set 1.
  • Second: John Saunders.
  • Discussion: Debate on whether to vote by set or mix-and-match. The motion to adopt Obverses from Set 1 and Reverse 1A was put forward.
  • Vote: The motion carried with one objection (John Saunders).
• Outcome: The committee recommended Reverse 1A and the obverses from Set 1.

5. Report from the Numismatic Themes Working Group

• Chairperson: Arthur Bernstein.
• Working Group Members: Sam Gilbert, Kellen Horde, Anelise Perde, John Saunders.
• Assistance: Jennifer Warren, James Kennedy.
• Process: Multiple team meetings, individual follow-ups, consideration of public input and previous reports.
• Report Presented by Arthur Bernstein:
  • Commemorative Coins: Recommended four themes focusing on upcoming anniversaries:
    • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
    • Peace Corps
    • Stonewall Uprising and the broader movement
    • Endangered Animals (multiple anniversary possibilities)
  • Circulating Coins (Higher Value): Recommended the need for higher value circulating coins to enhance relevance, building on a previous year's recommendation.
  • Circulating Coinage (Media & Entertainment): Suggested a quarters program celebrating American musicians, films, and television shows.
  • Numismatic Ideas:
    • Classic Gold Coins: Suggested recreating classic gold coins (quarter eagle, half eagle, eagle, double eagle) for an American Gold Eagle bullion series, noting upcoming anniversaries in the 2030s.
    • Medals:
      • U.S. Mints (cities of location, potential joint issuance with the Philippines).
      • American Architecture.
      • Iconic American Animals and Wildlife.
      • The Natural World.
  • Additional Concept: Celebrating the modern American 1-cent coin, potentially using remaining planets or a full bronze planet in mint/proof sets.
• Committee Discussion:
  • Donald Skarinsy's Comments:
    • Disliked endless restrikes of gold coins, advocating for true restrikes with original dimensions and contemporary dates if done.
    • Questioned the omission of pattern coins, suggesting they are beautiful and should be considered.
    • Found anniversary-based commemorations (30th, 20th) to be a "rabbit hole," suggesting a focus on the 250th anniversary of the U.S. with annual commemorations from 1776 to the Constitution.
    • Criticized the commemoration of extinct animals, seeing it as highlighting human impact.
  • John Saunders' Comments:
    • Supported the idea of restrikes of classic gold coins for collector appeal and mint revenue, suggesting specific details like weight, size, content, and a lettered rim to distinguish them from originals.
    • Liked Donald's idea of a medal series on pattern coins.
    • Supported Donald's idea of annual commemorations tied to the 250th anniversary.
    • Encouraged including a copper-nickel penny in proof sets and a 90% copper penny in mint sets to boost sales, citing historical precedent.
  • Donald Skarinsy's Further Comments on the Penny: Advocated for a fitting send-off for the penny if it is discontinued, rather than a "death by a thousand cuts" through continued minting without circulation. He compared it to the French 1-franc coin's commemorative end and highlighted the Lincoln cent's prolific nature.
  • Dr. Harkcourt Fuller's Comments: Lightheartedly suggested Donald's description of the penny's height could be a fitting commemoration.
  • Alisa Perie's Comments: Echoed the need for a special commemoration for the penny, especially for younger collectors, and suggested integrating it with the Mint's interactive resources.
• Clarification from Jennifer Warren: Public input for the CCAC was submitted directly to the CCAC, not the U.S. Mint.
• Motion to Accept Report:
  • Arthur Bernstein's Motion: To accept the report as submitted, with a correction to Sam Gilbert's name spelling.
  • Second: John Saunders.
  • Discussion: Art Bernstein acknowledged Donald's suggestions for future consideration (pattern coins, ending the penny, 250th anniversary themes). Jennifer Warren clarified the process for future recommendations and working groups.
  • Vote: The motion to accept the report as is, with the spelling correction, carried unanimously.

6. Adjournment

• Motion to adjourn: Arthur Bernstein.
• Second: (Unspecified member).
• Outcome: The meeting was adjourned at 2:43 p.m.