U.S. Mint releases new coins to commemorate 250th anniversary
A new coin from the U.S. Mint has been released to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The U.S. Mint announced on social media that one of the coins created to commemorate the United States’ 250th anniversary will enter circulation on Monday, January 5th.
The Mayflower Compact Quarter is the first of five new Quarter Dollar designs for 2026. The collection depicts two pilgrims, a man and a woman, under a flag that reads “E Pluribus Unum,” which means “out of many, one.”
Other quarters scheduled for circulation include Revolutionary War quarters, Declaration of Independence quarters, U.S. Constitution quarters and Gettysburg Address quarters.
The Revolutionary War coin features George Washington on the obverse and a Continental Army soldier from Valley Forge on the reverse with the inscription “Revolutionary War.”
The Declaration of Independence area features a profile portrait of Thomas Jefferson in the front and the Liberty Bell in the back. A portrait of James Madison hangs in the U.S. Constitution District. The Gettysburg Address Quarter features Abraham Lincoln on the front and clasped hands and the inscription “A New Nation Envisioned in Liberty” on the back.
Other coins minted for the occasion include a dime with Liberty’s face, a nickel with Thomas Jefferson and the inscription “1776∽2026,” a Liberty Half Dollar, and a 1776∽2026 penny.
The U.S. Mint announced the coin design on December 11th.
Christie McNally, acting director of the U.S. Mint, said in a news release that the coin’s design “tells the story of America’s journey towards a ‘more perfect union’ and celebrates America’s defining ideals of freedom.”
McNally added, “As we connect America through coins, we want to give each American the opportunity to hold our nation’s 250 years of storied history in the palm of their hands.”
It is not clear when the remaining coins will be put into circulation, but it is expected that they will all be available by the 55th anniversary of the founding of the nation.
Will there be Trump coins?
In October, the Treasury Department announced it was considering a new $1 coin featuring President Donald Trump’s portrait as part of a series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. (The Mint offers coin designs on its website.)
Federal law prohibits survivors from using U.S. currency.
How do I purchase coins?
Coins can be purchased directly from the U.S. Mint website.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Please contact mdelrey@usatoday.com.
