Washington, D.C.: In a new legislative effort, House Republicans are proposing the creation of a commemorative silver dollar coin to honor the late conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk. The legislation, put forth by Rep. Abe Hamadeh (R-Ariz.) and Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger (R-Texas), aims to produce 400,000 coins bearing Kirk’s likeness.
The proposed measure comes in the wake of Kirk’s death on September 10, when the 31-year-old was shot and killed while speaking at a college in Utah. Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old student, has been arrested and charged with aggravated murder and other felonies in the killing.
Details of the Proposed Commemorative Coin
The measure calls for the U.S. Treasury to produce 400,000 silver dollar coins. According to the Republican lawmakers, one side of the coin would feature Kirk’s visage. The other side would be engraved with the words, “well done, good and faithful servant,” along with his full name, “Charles James Kirk,” and the year 2026.
Rep. Hamadeh, in a statement to Fox News Digital, described Kirk as an “American treasure” who “selflessly gave up his time, money, and energy to preserve the US for future generations.” He also stated that Kirk “sacrificed his life” at the hands of a “radical leftist,” echoing similar sentiments from other conservative figures who have assigned a political motive to the killing.
Rep. Pfluger told Newsweek that the commemorative coin would be a “fitting honor” for a “conservative titan” and would make Kirk the “youngest American ever immortalized on legal U.S. currency.” This is not the first tribute proposed by Republicans since Kirk’s death; senators in Oklahoma have also introduced a bill mandating that state universities install and maintain monuments in his honor.
The Role of Commemorative Coins
The U.S. Mint produces commemorative coins that are authorized by an act of Congress to celebrate and honor American people, places, events, and institutions. While these coins are considered legal tender, they are not intended for general circulation and are sold to the public at a premium, with a portion of the proceeds often going to specific causes or projects.
The first such coin was authorized in 1892 for the World’s Columbian Exposition. Since then, the U.S. has used these coins to honor a range of figures, from presidents and founding fathers to military heroes and historical events.
The proposal to place Kirk on a commemorative coin is the latest in a series of resolutions and measures put forth by Republicans following his death. It also reflects the political significance of Kirk’s legacy as a prominent voice of the conservative “MAGA” movement and the founder of Turning Point USA, a major organization in youth conservative activism.