FR 2025-04897

The Federal Register document announces a public meeting organized by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) under the U.S. Mint. This meeting, scheduled for April 15, 2025, will be conducted remotely via videoconference and will focus on discussions about the American Liberty 24K Gold Coin and Silver Medal theme for 2027 and beyond. To ensure transparency and public engagement, the meeting will be live-streamed on the United States Mint's YouTube channel.

General Summary

The Citizen Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) guides the Secretary of the Treasury on diverse coin-related matters. These include design proposals for different types of coinage and medals and recommendations on commemorative coin themes for future years. The upcoming meeting presents an opportunity for CCAC to discuss future themes, catering primarily to the numismatic community and interested citizens. Access to this meeting is ensured through a live stream on YouTube, reinforcing transparency and public involvement in government advisory discussions.

Significant Issues and Concerns

The document highlights a few areas that could potentially be improved to streamline public interaction and access to information:

1. Redundancy in Contact Information: The document provides several contact numbers and email addresses for various purposes, which might lead to confusion among the public. Simplifying and consolidating these contact points could reduce the complexity and make it easier for citizens to reach the appropriate resources.

2. Potential Dependence on Technology: Instructions for watching the meeting on YouTube assume a certain level of familiarity with the platform, which might not be intuitive for all. Some individuals may face difficulties in navigating to the specific live video, particularly those less accustomed to using digital platforms.

3. Limited Submission Methods: Presently, the public can only submit their topics for consideration via email. Expanding submission options to include online forms or traditional mail could increase accessibility, allowing a broader demographic to participate.

4. Accessibility and Accommodation Requests: While accommodations are offered, the language used in the document is somewhat lengthy and may benefit from being more concise to ensure clarity and ease of understanding.

Public Impact

The broad availability of this meeting, facilitated by the live stream on YouTube, allows a wide audience to observe governmental advisory processes, thereby enhancing public trust in how decisions about national coinage themes are made. By making the discussion accessible to an online audience, more individuals can witness how federal advisory committees operate, encouraging greater public interest in numismatic affairs and perhaps even inspiring future participation.

Stakeholder Impact

For numismatists and coin enthusiasts, this meeting is of particular significance, offering them a platform to understand and potentially influence future numismatic designs. It provides a forum for CCAC members to solicit public feedback and enhance designs that resonate with American cultural and historical values.

However, individuals unfamiliar with digital platforms might feel excluded due to the meeting's reliance on online streaming. Moreover, stakeholders desiring to exert influence on the committee's considerations may find the singular reliance on email submissions limiting. Adopting a more inclusive approach to participation and feedback could mitigate feelings of exclusion among less tech-savvy individuals or those with limited internet access.

Overall, while the document facilitates public engagement and access to the CCAC meeting, attention to digital inclusion and communication simplification is critical for maximizing public understanding and participation.