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 with dual date 1776 ~ 2026 and inscriptions IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY.
- Reverse: Classic Union Shield with inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, ONE CENT.
*These are expected to only be released in special sets.
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Emerging Liberty Dime - Release: June 30, 2026
- 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
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1776 ~ 2026 Nickel
- Obverse: Portrait of Thomas Jefferson, dual date 1776 ~ 2026, inscription IN GOD WE TRUST
- Reverse: Classic Monticello design retained
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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 - Release: Feb. 5, 2026
- Obverse: Two Pilgrims embracing with dual date 1776 ~ 2026 and inscriptions E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST.
- Reverse: The Mayflower ship battling rough seas with inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, 25¢, MAYFLOWER COMPACT.
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Revolutionary War Quarter - Release: Mar. 27, 2026
- Obverse: New Portrait style of Washington with dual date 1776 ~ 2026 and inscriptions E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST.
- Reverse: Continental soldier at Valley Forge with inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, 25¢, REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
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Declaration of Independence Quarter - Release: Jun. 16, 2026
- Obverse: Portrait of Jefferson, with dual date 1776 ~ 2026 and inscriptions E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST.
- Reverse: Liberty Bell with its iconic crack with inscriptions THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, QUARTER DOLLAR.
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U.S. Constitution Quarter - Release: Summer 2026
- Obverse: Portrait of James Madison "Father of the Constitution" with dual date 1776 ~ 2026 and inscriptions E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST.
- Reverse: Independence Hall with “We the People" with inscriptions LIBERTY, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, U.S. CONSTITUTION, QUARTER DOLLAR.
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Gettysburg Address Quarter - Release: Fall 2026
- Obverse: Portrait of Abraham Lincoln with dual date 1776 ~ 2026 and inscriptions E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST.
- Reverse: Two hands clasped together, symbolizing unity with inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, A NEW NATION CONCEIVED IN LIBERTY, 25¢, GETTYSBURG ADDRESS.
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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.
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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 - Release: Jan. 27, 2026
Honors the Oneida Nation’s aid at Valley Forge, featuring Polly Cooper alongside a Continental soldier.
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The U.S. Innovation Series is updating their design in 2026 with a special privy mark and new reverse innovation releases. The obverse design features the profile of the Statue of Liberty with inscriptions IN GOD WE TRUST, $1.
Iowa - Release: Jan. 6, 2026 |
Wisconsin - Release: Apr. 7, 2026 |
| Depicts Dr. Norman Borlaug with inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, FATHER OF THE GREEN REVOLUTION, NORMAN BORLAUG, IOWA | Displays an aerial view of the Cray-1 supercomputer with inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CRAY-1 SUPERCOMPUTER, WISCONSIN |
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California - Release: May 12, 2026 |
Minnesota - Release: Summer 2026 |
| Presents Steve Jobs in front of northern California landscape with inscription MAKE SOMETHING WONDERFUL, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, STEVE JOBS, CALIFORNIA | Depicts Mobile Refrigeration with inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, MOBILE REFRIGERATION, MINNESOTA |
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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 Gold Buffalo Coins - Release: Spring 2026
- Obverse: Classic profile of an American Indian, adapted from the original design by James Earle Fraser for the Buffalo Nickel, with inscriptions LIBERTY, 2026.
- Reverse: American buffalo (bison) standing on a grassy mound, also based on Fraser’s original design, with inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST, $50, 1 OZ. .9999 FINE GOLD.
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American Gold Eagle Coins
- Obverse: Full-length figure of Liberty holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left, with flowing hair and rays of sunlight in the background and the U.S. Capitol building appears at the lower left, with inscriptions LIBERTY, 2026.
- Reverse: Close-up profile of a bald eagle’s head, symbolizing strength and freedom, with inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST, $50 DOLLARS, 1 OZ. FINE GOLD.
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American Eagle Silver Proof Coins - Release: Feb. 26, 2026
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Obverse: Walking Liberty design featuring Liberty draped in the American flag, striding toward the sunrise with her right arm extended and branches of laurel and oak in her left hand, with dual dates 1776 ~ 2026 and inscriptions LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST.
Reverse: An eagle in flight clutching an oak branch, symbolizing strength and independence with inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, ONE DOLLAR, 1 OZ. FINE SILVER.
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Charters of Freedom 2026 Platinum Proof Coins - Release: Feb. 6, 2026
- Obverse: Features a quill writing on a document, symbolizing the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Radiating lines in the background represent light and liberty, with dual dates 1776 ~ 2026 and inscriptions LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, E PLURIBUS UNUM, DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
- Reverse: A bald eagle in flight clutching an olive branch, symbolizing peace and strength with inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, $100, 1 OZ. .9995 PLATINUM.
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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.
*These images are property of the U.S. Mint.