MINT'S DIRECTOR NOMINEE PAUL HOLLIS TESTIFIES

 

Today was a big day for American coins and medals—and for the office of the Director of the United States Mint. At 10:00 this morning, in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, several presidential nominees met for statements and questioning before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Among them was Mr. Paul Hollis of Louisiana, the first longtime numismatist ever to be nominated as the Mint's Director.

Every modern Mint Director has spoken publicly of a personal interest in coins. But Paul Hollis has actually collected and studied coins since childhood, and has been a member of the American Numismatic Association for decades. He's an active participant in both the "hobby" side and the "market" side of coins.

In his testimony Hollis told the assembled Senators, "One of my earliest and most vivid memories dates back to when I was just seven years old. My grandmother gave me a coin that she had saved during the Great Depression. That small gesture left a lasting impression that quietly steered the course of my life. Today, I keep the coin that she gave me nearly a half-century ago as a tribute to her. I have kept the coin in my pocket at every important milestone in my life. And of course, it is here with me today, along with the catalog of coins that I made when I was just eight years old."

Those of us who know the United States Mint will sometimes wink and smile when we hear Director nominees say such things. Every one of them pulls out a story of a coin given to them long ago by a family member. But Paul Hollis put his money where his mouth is. Recalling his childhood, he told the Senators, "While my classmates would give oral reports on Babe Ruth and Amelia Earhart, I would speak about David Rittenhouse—the first Director of the United States Mint back in 1792."

Hollis described his career in numismatics, including volunteering as an educator and writing a book on the history of American coinage. Beyond numismatics, he told the Committee about his experience in Louisiana's state legislature and election to its State Board of Education. This has given him the background to, as he put it, "unify diverse voices, navigate complex systems, and deliver results within tight guidelines and timelines."

He also noted the importance of coinage in the upcoming 2026 national Semiquincentennial. "It is vital that we have a passionate ambassador for both our circulating coinage as well as our commemorative issues," he said. "My passion and experience that spans many decades has equipped me to energize audiences, share the captivating stories behind our coinage, and promote new designs with enthusiasm and vision."

Will Paul Hollis successfully lead the United States Mint through this significant era of American coinage? He sees his life as being a path leading inevitably toward directing the Mint. "My journey has led me to this role," he told the Senate Committee. "And, if confirmed, I will be truly honored to serve."

THE COMMITTEE'S QUESTIONING

Traditionally in Senate confirmation hearings, Mint Director nominees don't get mercilessly grilled and don't field a lot of hardball questions. This was the case in Paul Hollis's hearing this morning.

 
Paul Hollis (third from left) being sworn in for his testimony

Most of the Committee's questioning was directed to Mr. Travis Hill, nominee for the chair of the FDIC Board of Directors; Mr. Francis Cassidy, to be Assistant Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development; and Mr. Joseph Gormley, to be President of HUD's Government National Mortgage Association.

Senator John N. Kennedy of Louisiana greeted the Mint nominee warmly. "Mr. Paul Hollis, I've known him for a long time. He is a favored son in Louisiana. He served honorably and admirably in our state legislature. He was on the board of elementary and secondary education. There's no more important job in my state. There is nobody in this country who knows more about coins and coinage and numismatics than Paul Hollis, and all of us in Louisiana are so proud of him."

Senator Christopher Van Hollen of Maryland asked about the prohibition of coins with a portrait of a living person. Hollis confirmed he was familiar with the issue. Van Hollen noted the law was meant to avoid currency becoming a vehicle of aggrandizement or "self-honoring," to avoid the appearance of a monarchy, and to maintain the dignity of our currency by not showing living figures who might be "controversial, subject to change, or still actively involved in public life." He questioned Hollis on whether the recently proposed dollar coin design depicting President Donald Trump would violate the law. Hollis assured the Senator that his background of thirty years as a professional numismatist, and his career in elected office having been professional and of high integrity, guarantee that he will always be in compliance with the law. Questioned further, he affirmed he would "be more ears than mouth" and would seek legal advice on all such questions.

Asked by Senator Van Hollen about the Harriet Tubman portrait proposed for the twenty-dollar bill, Hollis respectfully referred him to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The BEP, not the Mint, has jurisdiction over paper currency. Van Hollen asked that Hollis, as part of "that ecosystem," do anything he can "to push that forward."

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada remarked on her own work on the law that created the American Women quarters and Semiquincentennial circulating coins. She noted that it was never the legislation's intent that the current president in 2026 would be featured on a circulating coin, and voiced her concern about the proposed Trump dollar. Hollis reassured her that "If confirmed as Director of the United States Mint, I will always seek legal counsel and am always 100 percent committed to following the law."

LEADERSHIP OF THE MINT WILL SOON BE DECIDED

If the Senate Committee has any more questions for Paul Hollis or other nominees, they will be submitted by 12 noon tomorrow (Friday, October 31, 2025). Nominees will then have until 5:00 pm Monday, November 3, to submit their answers to facilitate the Committee's vote on their nomination.

On a personal note, the warmth, love, and pride Paul Hollis feels for his family was on full display in his Senate confirmation hearing. He spoke of his daughter Bree (a straight-A senior at the University of Alabama) and son Zachary (also a straight-A student, and vice president of his student body). They were visible seated behind him, along with his two brothers and other friends and associates.

I have a copy of Paul Hollis's book, American Numismatist, in my office library. I look forward to a longtime professional numismatist and published author taking on this important Treasury Department role. Paul Hollis's name will be highlighted in many more history books from this point forward—as the forty-first Director of the United States Mint.

On Thursday, October 30, Paul Hollis, of Louisiana, was called before the United States Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs committee to answer questions from committee members consisting of Senators from 24 different states. SD Bullion posted a compilation video on Youtube.

The hearing, which included Mr. Hollis and three other Presidential appointees, lasted about two hours, and much of the Senators' focus was aimed to other candidates. Based on the line of questioning, Hollis would appear to be in unanimous favor with the committee, though it was suggested by Chairman Tim Scott (R - SC) that much of the final voting is expected to go down party lines.

Mr. Hollis was grilled a few times on the matter of a circulating coin bearing President Trump's likeness being minted. Each time, Hollis responded that he would faithfully acquit his job as United States Mint Director with utmost adherence to the 1866 law, and that he could otherwise not comment on the specifics of the design in question. This was the perfect answer to such an impossible question.

The role of Mint Director is to produce coinage at the behest of the Treasury Department, and an appointee would have no knowledge of the veracity of a design that has not been formally proposed. As it turns out the law is murky on this subject and coins are not specifically mentioned. Regardless, Hollis handled the questions with a straightforward and steadfast response that appeared to put the Senators at ease.

Beyond that, Mr. Hollis received adulation from his fellow Louisiana compatriots including Senator John Kennedy (R - LA), who referred to him as a "favored son in Louisiana."

 
Senator John Kennedy (R - LA, left) takes a moment to speak with Paul's family before the hearing. (Photo courtesy of Jerry Jordan)

Next steps for Mr. Hollis will come in when the committee votes to approve the appointees -- presumably in the next few weeks, and then final confirmation of the Senate. As an attendee of the event yesterday, I was humbled by the machine of democracy at work, even while the government is shut down. The Senators made some use of their time to make general political statements but I was heartened by the fact that the Senators and Appointees in the room are devoted civil servants with the best of intentions to carry on the work of the American people. I rarely, if ever, make political statements because I feel such matters are personal and the right of each person. However, I was in awe of everyone in the room yesterday, and I felt a pang of guilt that I have never performed public service in this way.

Speaking for myself and the Whitman team, we are full supporters of Paul Hollis. We are extremely proud that "one of our own" could carry the mantle as next United States Mint Director. Hollis' appointment will mean we have a true advocate at the Mint with real knowledge of our hobby.

 
The "coin crew" stands together, after the hearing. From left to right: Jerry Jordan, Paul Hollis, Dan Duncan, John Feigenbaum.

 

To read the complete article, see:
Paul Hollis Testifies Before Senate Banking Committee on Route to Mint Director Position (https://www.greysheet.com/news/story?title=paul-hollis-testifies-before-sentate-banking-committee-on-route-to-mint-director-position)

To read earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
NEW BOOK: AMERICAN NUMISMATIST (https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v14n51a03.html)
PAUL HOLLIS NOMINATED FOR U.S. MINT DIRECTOR (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n29a18.html)

To read the complete Wikipedia article, see:
Paul Hollis (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Hollis)

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