A new commemorative coin will honor golf legend Arnold Palmer.
Rep. Rick Allen, R-Augusta, is one of 21 Republicans and 13 Democrats to co-sponsor House Resolution 2808, introduced last year. He joined the effort Oct. 11 with Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Pooler.
The bill requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue commemorative coins in recognition of Arnold Daniel Palmer.
The U.S. Mint is to issue not more than 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins, “in recognition and celebration of Arnold Palmer.”
All surcharges from the sale of the coins must be paid to the Arnold & Winnie Palmer Foundation, also known as the Arnie’s Army Foundation.
The coins are legal tender known to sometimes increase in value to collectors. The mint is currently selling 2024-issue Harriet Tubman commemorative coins from $52 for an uncirculated half-dollar to $870 for a $5 gold coin proof.
Palmer left a lasting legacy of golf in Augusta, winning the Masters Tournament four times out of his 62 PGA career titles.
The Latrobe, Penn., native dominated golf with seven titles from 1958-1965, including the Masters Tournament in 1958, 1960, 1962 and 1964.
He was caddied by Nathaniel “Iron Man” Avery during each of his Augusta wins. He played the Masters Tournament 50 times, the final time in 2004, then became its honorary sole starter from 2007-2009.
Palmer’s legacy includes growing the popularity of golf, a dedication to sportsmanship and character and in course design. The Arnold Palmer Design Company designed courses in more than 25 countries and 37 states.
His area legacy includes co-designing Champions Retreat, located 15 miles from Augusta on the Savannah River.
The 27-hole Evans course, which since 2019 has hosted the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, includes three nine-hole courses. Each was designed by one of the “Big 3,” golf legends Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus.
Golf Digest magazine recently ranked the course 10th among its “Best in State” for Georgia.
A Republican and pilot associated with many successful business ventures, Palmer was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004 by President George W. Bush. In 2009, President Barack Obama signed his award of the Congressional Gold Medal.
The Arnie & Winnie Palmer Foundation is associated with many causes related to children and youth, such as the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies and the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, as well as First Tee youth golf programs.
