Those of a certain age may remember the coin collecting buzz sparked by the 1976 Bicentennial coin issued by the United States Mint. New coins are also coming soon to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary.
U.S. Mint presses final cent after more than 200 years
America’s last penny was minted at the United States Mint in Philadelphia, ending coin production that began in 1793 and ended on November 12.
The United States Mint is issuing a special circulation coin to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
Quarters, dimes and nickels minted in 2026 will feature special designs and markings that reflect milestones related to the nation’s founding in 1976. The U.S. Mint announced the coin design on Thursday, December 11th. Each coin features a historically relevant image and a double date: 1776 ∽ 2026.
The five different designs of the semi-quincentennial quarter feature portraits of Founding Fathers including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and James Madison. The face of freedom is depicted on the dime and inscribed with inscriptions such as “Freedom over tyranny.” The nickel maintains the image of Thomas Jefferson, but with the addition of the “1776 ∽ 2026” designation.
The U.S. Mint also issues the collectible Timeless Liberty Half Dollar and the collectible 1776-2026 Penny. “These historic coin designs tell the story of America’s journey towards a ‘more perfect union’ and celebrate America’s defining ideals of freedom,” Christy McNally, acting director of the U.S. Mint, said in a news release. “As we connect America through coins, we want to give every American the opportunity to hold 250 years of this country’s storied history in the palm of their hands.”
“Getting people excited about coin collecting”
Celebrating the nation’s 500th anniversary (the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States), these new coins are reminiscent of the coins issued by the U.S. Mint for the nation’s bicentennial in 1976.
At the time, the Mint issued quarter, half-dollar, and dollar coins with special reverse designs for the event, all of which circulated among the public in the same way as traditional quarters. However, the Mint is selling a special set of coins, which it plans to sell in commemoration of the 250th anniversary (dates and prices have not yet been announced).
“It’s an opportunity for the Mint to do something fun and get people excited about coin collecting,” John Feigenbaum, publisher of the rare coin pricing guide Gray Sheet, told USA TODAY. “I love these designs. I think they represent the true forward-thinking of the Mint as we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary.”
Will there be Trump coins?
Although unreleased, it is likely a commemorative $1 coin featuring a portrait of President Donald Trump.
Back in October, the Treasury Department announced it was considering a new $1 coin featuring President Trump’s portrait as part of a coin commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. (The Mint offers coin designs on its website.)
Federal law prohibits survivors from using U.S. currency.
Here’s a closer look at the new 2026 coins that the Mint will begin producing after the new year.
New coins for 2026 include five different quarters celebrating America’s 250th anniversary
The 250th Anniversary 25 cent coin comes in five different designs, all of which share inscriptions such as “E Pluribus Unum,” “In God We Trust,” and “1776 ~ 2026.” The breakdown is as follows:
- Mayflower Compact Quarter: The obverse of the coin depicts two Pilgrims representing the Mayflower Compact, signed on November 21, 1620, to establish a colony in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The reverse of the coin is stamped with the words Mayflower and “Mayflower Compact.”
- Revolutionary War District: George Washington appears in the foreground. The reverse features Continental Army soldiers from Valley Forge and an inscription reading “Revolutionary War.”
- Declaration of Independence Quarterly: The obverse features the profile of Thomas Jefferson, and the reverse features the Liberty Bell with inscriptions such as “Declaration of Independence.”
- US Constitution Quarterly: The fourth president, James Madison, also known as the “Father of the Constitution,” graces the obverse of the coin. Reverse: Independence Hall and inscriptions “We the People,” “Liberty,” and the U.S. Constitution.
- Gettysburg Address Quarter: The obverse of the coin features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and the reverse features an image of two long clasped hands with the inscription “A New Nation Envisioned in Liberty.”
U.S. Mint 2026 Coins: Dimes and Nickels 1776-2026
In addition to quarters, dimes and nickels will also be updated to the 2026 version.
- A new dime of freedom: On the obverse of the 2026 coin, Liberty will replace Franklin Delano Roosevelt, but the coin will retain the inscriptions “Freedom” and “In God We Trust,” with the addition of “1776-2026.” The reverse of the coin depicts an eagle with an arrow in its talons. The inscriptions include “Freedom Against Tyranny” and “E Pluribus Unum.”
- 1776 ~ 2026 Nickel: The 2026 edition retains the current image of Thomas Jefferson, inspired by Rembrandt Peale’s 1800 painting, and the word “Liberty” in Jefferson’s handwriting, but adds a double date: “1776-2026.” The reverse image of Monticello remains the same.
U.S. Mint’s New 250th Anniversary Collection Coins
The U.S. Mint plans to issue other special coins, including a commemorative 2026 version of the obsolete penny, but these coins will not go into circulation and will instead be sold directly from the Mint (prices and release dates have not yet been announced).
- Enduring Freedom Half Dollar: The 50 Cent piece, which currently features a portrait of John F. Kennedy, will feature a close-up of the Statue of Liberty and the inscriptions “In God We Trust” and “1776-2026” for 2026. On the reverse side, Liberty passes the torch, the U.S. Mint says, “and the flame continues into new generations with the momentum of purpose.” New inscription: “Knowledge is the only guardian of true freedom.”
- 1776 ~ 2026 Penny: Two dates from 1776 to 2026 will be included for one year only. This coin will be out of circulation in small change in 2026, but can still be purchased as a collectible from the U.S. Mint.
Feigenbaum said the release of these coins is likely to stimulate interest in coin collecting, much like the Treasury Department’s retirement of the penny. Mr. Feigenbaum is also the executive director of the Professional Numismatists Guild, a nonprofit organization comprised of many of the nation’s rare coin experts.
But the average collector should know that these coins released to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary aren’t necessarily rare, he said. “We just want people to know that the collection is really fun and interesting,” Feigenbaum said.
Contributor: Josh Meyer
Mike Snyder is a national trends news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, and X, and email him at: mike snyder & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com
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