US Mint Strikes Giant Silver Declaration of Independence Quarters

The United States Mint marked Independence Day by striking 250 special 2.5-ounce silver 2026 Declaration of Independence quarters at the Philadelphia Mint, creating an extremely limited run of edge-numbered coins tied to America’s 250th anniversary.

Carrying no mint mark and featuring a “July 4” privy mark, the oversized silver quarters were struck sequentially and laser edge-numbered from 1 through 250. The Mint has said the coins will be offered in a future auction.

The pieces are collectible silver versions of the Mint’s circulating Declaration of Independence privy-mark quarters, a 250,000-coin release announced June 23 for nationwide distribution before Independence Day. Those circulation-quality quarters were randomly mixed with standard Declaration of Independence quarters and shipped through banks and financial institutions, giving Americans a chance to find the special variety in rolls, change and everyday transactions.

“These 250 coins represent a truly remarkable moment in our nation’s history,” said Mint Director Paul Hollis. “Struck on the Fourth of July during America’s Semiquincentennial, they commemorate 250 years of independence, making them far more than collectibles — they’re historic artifacts that connect us to this milestone celebration and will be treasured for generations to come.”

The coins were minted under 31 U.S.C. 5112(u), which authorizes the Mint to produce fractional silver bullion coins bearing the designs of Semiquincentennial quarter dollars and half dollars in sizes, weights, fineness, denominations and with inscriptions determined appropriate by the Treasury secretary.

Far Scarcer Than Circulating Privy Quarters

The Mint’s circulating “July 4” privy-mark release was already very limited. The new silver pieces are far scarcer, with just 250 struck — one silver coin for every 1,000 circulating privy-marked quarters.

Through June, the Mint has produced 147.8 million 2026 Declaration of Independence quarters for circulation, making both privy-marked versions tiny fractions of the design’s overall output.

Declaration Quarter Design

The Declaration of Independence quarter is the third of five one-year-only quarter designs for 2026 celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary. Its obverse features Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration and the nation’s third president, along with the dual date 1776 ~ 2026.

The reverse depicts the Liberty Bell ringing, with its well-known crack visible. Inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, QUARTER DOLLAR and THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

Collector Rolls and Bags Sold Quickly

The standard 2026 Declaration of Independence quarter entered circulation on June 1. Collector rolls and bags followed on June 16, with the Mint offering Philadelphia and Denver 100-coin bags at $63 each and a two-roll set containing one 40-coin roll from each facility for $56.

All three products became unavailable shortly after launch. Two-roll sets lasted only minutes, while both bags remained available for just over 15 minutes.

Opening sales reached 10,093 for the two-roll sets, 6,077 for the Philadelphia 100-coin bags and 6,059 for the Denver 100-coin bags, representing a combined 2,021,040 Declaration quarters.

Five Quarters for America’s 250th

The Declaration of Independence quarter follows the Mayflower Compact and Revolutionary War designs in the 2026 Semiquincentennial quarter program. U.S. Constitution and Gettysburg Address quarters will complete the five-coin series.

Authorized under the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 (Public Law 116–330), the one-year designs commemorate major events and documents connected to the founding and development of the United States.