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1 [1] (March 7, 2023)

handle is hein.crs/govekup0001 and id is 1 raw text is: se Congressional Research Service fa Inforrming the legislative debate since 1914 Updated March 7, 2023 Duplicate Congressional Gold Medals: Frequently Asked Questions Congressional Gold Medals (CGMs) 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, 20 17 CGMs 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 CGMs, which Congress generally authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce and sell to the public. This In Focus answers several frequently asked questions about duplicate gold medals. How Are Congressional Gold Medals Authorized? An act of Congress is required to award a CGM. Each gold medal has historically been authorized through stand-alone legislation. For more information on CGMs and the authorization process, see CRS Report R45101, 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, Congress will often schedule a ceremony 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 often presented to the group at the ceremony and then delivered to a statutorily designated entity. Most often, the medal goes to the Smithsonian Institution, but legislation can designate another location. For example, the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal was statutorily given to the American Merchant Marine Museum following the presentation ceremony (P.L. 116- 125, §3(c)). What Are Duplicate Congressional Gold Medals? Duplicate CGMs are bronze replicas of the awarded CGM. Bronze duplicates are statutorily authorized in the same legislation as the gold medal. For example, the legislation authorizing the CGM 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). Figure 1 shows scale-size images of the 3 inch duplicate for the Women Airforce 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 2 r Source: United States Mint. 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 3 inch Women Air Force Service Pilots 1.5 inch First Special Service Force

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