Celebrating America’s 250th: Semiquincentennial Coin Designs
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, the U.S. Mint is honoring this historic milestone by rolling out bold, one-year-only designs across several denominations. Each design reflects the nation’s journey from its revolutionary roots to its enduring ideals of liberty and unity.
Pennies, Nickels, and Dimes: Foundations of Everyday Coinage
The Mint begins with the smallest denominations, reminding us that even the humblest coins carry history.
1776 ~ 2026 Penny
- Obverse: Portrait of Abraham Lincoln, dual date 1776 ~ 2026, inscriptions IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY
- Reverse: Classic Union Shield with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, ONE CENT
Emerging Liberty Dime
- Obverse: A determined Liberty with winds of revolution flowing through her hair, Liberty cap adorned with stars and stripes, dual date 1776 ~ 2026
- Reverse: Eagle in flight clutching arrows, inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, ONE DIME, LIBERTY OVER TYRANNY
1776 ~ 2026 Nickel
- Obverse: Portrait of Thomas Jefferson, dual date 1776 ~ 2026, inscription IN GOD WE TRUST
- Reverse: Classic Monticello design retained
Together, these coins set the stage for the larger commemoratives, grounding the semiquincentennial celebration in familiar designs with fresh symbolic touches.
Quarters: Milestones in America’s Story
The quarter series takes collectors on a journey through defining chapters of U.S. history. Each coin highlights a pivotal moment or document that shaped the nation.
Mayflower Compact Quarter
- Obverse: Two Pilgrims embracing, inscriptions E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST, 1776 ~ 2026
- Reverse: The Mayflower ship battling rough seas, inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, 25¢, MAYFLOWER COMPACT
Revolutionary War Quarter
- Obverse: New Portrait style of Washington, Dual date 1776 ~ 2026 with inscriptions E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST
- Reverse: Continental soldier at Valley Forge, inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, 25¢, REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Declaration of Independence Quarter
- Obverse: Portrait of Jefferson, Dual date 1776 ~ 2026 with inscriptions E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST
- Reverse: Liberty Bell with its iconic crack, inscriptions THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, QUARTER DOLLAR
U.S. Constitution Quarter
- Obverse: Portrait of James Madison "Father of the Constitution", Dual date 1776 ~ 2026 with inscriptions E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST
- Reverse: Independence Hall with “We the People,” inscriptions LIBERTY, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, U.S. CONSTITUTION, QUARTER DOLLAR
Gettysburg Address Quarter
- Obverse: Portrait of Abraham Lincoln with dual date 1776 ~ 2026, inscriptions E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST
- Reverse: Two hands clasped together, symbolizing unity, inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, A NEW NATION CONCEIVED IN LIBERTY, 25¢, GETTYSBURG ADDRESS
Half Dollar: Passing the Torch
The Enduring Liberty Half Dollar captures the spirit of continuity. With a close‑up portrait of the Statue of Liberty on the obverse and Liberty passing the torch to a new generation on the reverse, it embodies the idea that freedom is not static but carried forward by each era.
Expanding the Story: Dollar Coins
Beyond traditional denominations, the Mint uses dollar coins to highlight diverse contributions to America’s legacy.
- Native American $1 Coin: Honors the Oneida Nation’s aid at Valley Forge, featuring Polly Cooper alongside a Continental soldier.
The U.S. Innovation Series is updating their design in 2026 with dual-date and a special privy mark. The obverse design features the profile of the Statue of Liberty with inscriptions IN GOD WE TRUST, $1.
- Iowa: Depicts Dr. Norman Borlaug with inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, FATHER OF THE GREEN REVOLUTION, NORMAN BORLAUG, IOWA
- Wisconsin: Displays an aerial view of the Cray-1 supercomputer with inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CRAY-1 SUPERCOMPUTER, WISCONSIN
- California: Presents Steve Jobs in front of northern California landscape with inscription MAKE SOMETHING WONDERFUL, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, STEVE JOBS, CALIFORNIA
- Minnesota: Mobile Refrigeration with inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, MOBILE REFRIGERATION, MINNESOTA
These designs broaden the narrative, ensuring that the semiquincentennial honors not just founding documents but also the people and innovations that sustained the nation.
Bullion & Collector Coins with Semiquincentennial Features
For investors and collectors alike, 2026 brings enhanced versions of America’s most iconic bullion and silver dollars.
- American Silver Eagle Proof Coins: Walking Liberty on Silver Eagles updated with the dual date and Liberty Bell privy mark to highlight America’s enduring freedom.
- Morgan and Peace Silver Dollars: Beloved historic designs return for this milestone year, each enhanced with the dual date and Liberty Bell privy mark, blending classic artistry with modern commemoration.
These releases ensure that the semiquincentennial resonates across every corner of the hobby, from casual collectors to bullion investors.
Why These Coins Matter
This series is more than currency—it’s a tribute to America’s resilience, innovation, and enduring spirit of liberty. Each design tells a story, from the Pilgrims’ voyage to the agricultural breakthroughs that shaped modern life. By weaving together foundational figures, iconic landmarks, and timeless symbols, the semiquincentennial coin program ensures that 2026 will be remembered not only as a milestone in American history but also as a landmark year in numismatics.