Title 31Money and FinanceRelease 119-73

§5144 Providing impressions of portraits and vignettes

Title 31 › Subtitle SUBTITLE IV— - MONEY › Chapter CHAPTER 51— - COINS AND CURRENCY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IV— - BUREAU OF ENGRAVING AND PRINTING › § 5144

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of the Treasury can give printed copies made from an engraved portrait or small engraved picture that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing has. These prints can be provided when asked by a member of Congress, an agency head, an art group, or a library, and the Secretary can charge a fee and set rules to protect the public interest.

Full Legal Text

Title 31, §5144

Money and Finance — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

The Secretary of the Treasury may provide impressions from an engraved portrait or vignette in the possession of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. An impression shall be provided—
(1)at the request of—
(A)a member of Congress;
(B)a head of an agency;
(C)an art association; or
(D)a library; and
(2)for a charge and under conditions the Secretary decides are necessary to protect the public interest.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 514431:174.Dec. 22, 1879, ch. 2, 21 Stat. 59. In the section, before clause (1), the word “engraved” is added before “portrait” because of the restatement. The words “in the possession” are substituted for “which is now, or may be a part of the engraved stock” to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “An impression shall be provided” are added because of the restatement. In clause (1)(A), the words “member of Congress” are substituted for “Senator, Representative, or Delegate in Congress” for consistency. In clause (1)(B), the word “agency” is substituted for “department or bureau” because of section 101 of the revised title and for consistency in the revised title. In clause (2), the words “for a charge and under conditions the Secretary decides are” are substituted for “at such rates and under such conditions as he may deem” for consistency.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

31 U.S.C. § 5144

Title 31Money and Finance

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73