U.S. Mint Strikes 2,983 9/11 Privy Half Dollars

The United States Mint has presented the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum with 2,983 specially struck 1776 ~ 2026 Enduring Liberty half dollars, each carrying a 9/11 privy mark. The mintage matches the 2,983 names inscribed on the Memorial, honoring those killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the Feb. 26, 1993, World Trade Center bombing.

Struck at the West Point Mint in New York, the coins were delivered ahead of next month’s 25th-anniversary observances and during the nation’s 250th anniversary year. Their production at West Point distinguishes them from regular circulating half dollars, which are struck only at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints.

Their obverse carries a special privy mark with the date “9-11-01” encircled by the words “ALWAYS REMEMBER,” a phrase also used on the Mint’s 2011 September 11 National Medal. The special coins also bear a “W” mint mark for West Point.

“This coin is a tangible representation of the strength it took for our nation to look forward, both 250 years ago at its founding, but more poignantly 25 years ago, as the world was changed forever,” Mint Director Paul Hollis said in announcing the presentation. “While we will never forget those fateful attacks, our nation continues to pass the torch of enlightenment to future generations in remembrance and in honor of the 2,983 victims.”

The Mint did not announce plans to offer the special-issue coins for public sale or indicate how the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum intends to use or distribute them. The pieces are the same clad, legal-tender Enduring Liberty half dollars as the circulating issue; they are distinguished only by the West Point mint mark and the privy mark.

Special Issue Builds on 2026 Enduring Liberty Half Dollar

The 9/11 pieces use the one-year-only Enduring Liberty half dollar introduced for America’s Semiquincentennial. The coin marked a major change for the denomination, becoming the first U.S. half dollar since 1964 issued without President John F. Kennedy’s portrait.

Its obverse features a close-up view of the Statue of Liberty looking outward toward the future. Designed by Donna Weaver and sculpted by John McGraw, it carries the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IN GOD WE TRUST and the dual date 1776 ~ 2026. Regular circulating versions carry a “P” or “D” mint mark.

The reverse, designed by Beth Zaiken and sculpted by Darla Jackson, depicts Liberty passing her torch to a new generation. Its inscriptions include E PLURIBUS UNUM, HALF DOLLAR and KNOWLEDGE IS THE ONLY GUARDIAN OF TRUE LIBERTY.

Standard Enduring Liberty half dollars entered circulation at the beginning of the year. U.S. Mint-branded rolls and bags went on sale May 26. Two-roll sets contain one 20-coin roll from Philadelphia and one from Denver and are priced at $60, while $180 bags contain 100 coins from each facility. Product limits are 100,000 two-roll sets and 50,000 bags.

Collector demand was strong from the start. Through May 31, sales of the two products represented nearly 9.5 million half dollars, far exceeding opening sales for recent Kennedy half dollar products.

By Aug. 16, two-roll set sales had reached 99,738, just 262 short of their 100,000-product limit, while 200-coin bag sales climbed to 39,971. Combined, the products account for 11,983,720 half dollars. The two-roll sets have been listed as unavailable by the Mint for an extended period, with sales still just shy of the product limit.

Beginning in 2027, Kennedy will return to the half dollar with a new portrait, while the reverse will transition to designs honoring youth sports and Paralympic sports.