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July 24, 2018
Duplicate Congressional Gold Medals: Frequently Asked
Questions
Congressional Gold Medals are awarded by acts of
Congress to express public gratitude for distinguished
contributions, dramatize the virtues of patriotism, and
perpetuate the remembrance of great events. First issued by
the Continental Congress to General George Washington,
the medal is considered one of the highest honors bestowed
on behalf of the nation.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest
expression of national appreciation for distinguished
achievements and contributions that the Congress can
bestow upon one of our fellow citizens.
- Rep. Randy Hultgren,
Congressional Record, September 5, 2017
Congressional Gold Medals can be awarded to either
individuals or groups. When gold medals are awarded to
individuals, the individual recipient, or his or her family,
receives the gold medal. For instances in which a group is
honored, a single gold medal is generally minted that is
either awarded to the group or placed in a museum for
future exhibition. The awarding of a gold medal to a group
has historically raised questions about duplicate
Congressional Gold Medals, which are generally authorized
to be produced and sold by the U.S. Mint. This InFocus
answers several frequently asked questions about duplicate
gold medals.
How Are Congressional Gold Medals Authorized?
An act of Congress is required to award a Congressional
Gold Medal. Each gold medal has historically been
authorized through stand-alone legislation. For more
information on Congressional Gold Medals and the
authorization process, see CRS Report R45 101,
Congressional Gold Medals: Background, Legislative
Process, and Issues for Congress, by Jacob R. Straus.
How Many Congressional Gold Medals Are Made?
Unless otherwise specified in law, a single gold medal is
struck. For individual recipients, they receive the gold
medal. For groups, the statutory authorization often
specifies where the gold medal will be housed after being
awarded. In many cases, the Smithsonian Institution
receives the medal.
When Are Congressional Gold Medals Presented?
Once the medal has been struck, a ceremony will often be
scheduled by Congress to formally award the medal. Most
gold medal ceremonies take place in the U.S. Capitol, but
some have historically taken place in other relevant
locations. For individual recipients, the gold medal is given
to them at the ceremony. For group recipients, the medal is
presented to the group at the ceremony and then sent to a
statutorily designated entity or to the Smithsonian for
display.
What Are Duplicate Congressional Gold Medals?
Duplicate Congressional Gold Medals are bronze replicas
of the awarded Congressional Gold Medal. Bronze
duplicates are statutorily authorized in the same legislation
as the gold medal. For example, the legislation authorizing
the Congressional Gold Medal for Senator Bob Dole stated:
The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in
bronze of the gold medal struck under section 3
under such regulations as the Secretary may
prescribe, at a price sufficient to cover the cost
thereof, including labor, materials, dies, use of
machinery, and overhead expenses, and the cost of
the gold medal [P.L. 115-60, §4].
Where Can I Buy a Duplicate Congressional Gold
Medal?
Pursuant to statute, the U.S. Mint will strike and sell
duplicate bronze medals through its retail stores and its
website (https://catalog.usmint.gov/). Bronze duplicates are
available in two sizes: a 3 inch duplicate (the same size as
the gold medal) and a 1.5 inch duplicate. As of July 13,
2018, 3 inch duplicate medals are sold by the U.S. Mint for
$39.95 and 1.5 inch duplicates for $6.95. Figure 1 shows
scale size images of the 3 inch duplicate for the Women Air
Force Service Pilots Congressional Gold Medal (P.L. 111-
40) and the 1.5 inch duplicate for the First Special Service
Force Congressional Gold Medal (P.L. 113-16).
Figure I. Scale Size Congressional Gold Medal Bronze
Duplicates
1.5 inch 3 inch
First Special Women Air Force
Service Force Service Pilots
Source: United States Mint.
www.crs.gov 7-5700](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.crs/crsmthzzbcn0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)