250,000 W-Mint 9/11 Half Dollars Released Into Circulation

The United States Mint today shipped 250,000 special-issue 1776 ~ 2026 Enduring Liberty half dollars to Federal Reserve Banks for random release into circulation across the country.

Each coin features a special obverse privy showing 9-11-01 encircled by the words ALWAYS REMEMBER, honoring those killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the Feb. 26, 1993, bombing of the World Trade Center. Struck at the West Point Mint, the coins also carry a W mint mark.

The coins are the same special West Point issue as the 2,983 examples presented to the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum on Aug. 21.

Earlier 9/11 Memorial Presentation

That presentation total corresponded to the number of names inscribed on the 9/11 Memorial, representing victims of both the 2001 terrorist attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

The coins were delivered ahead of observances marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks and during the nation’s 250th anniversary year. At the time, the Mint did not announce plans to release additional West Point examples into circulation.

Mint Director Paul Hollis described the 9/11 privy as “a tribute to this solemn anniversary.”

Separate Philadelphia Issue Uses NEVER FORGET

The West Point coins entering circulation are separate from the 9/11 Enduring Liberty half dollars the Mint began offering to collectors Sept. 10.

Those coins are struck at the Philadelphia Mint, carry a P mint mark and feature 9-11-01 surrounded by the words NEVER FORGET. They are available for preorder through Sept. 25 at 3 p.m. ET in 20-coin rolls for $40 and 100-coin bags for $100.

Neither Philadelphia product has a listed mintage, product or household order limit. Shipping is expected to begin Dec. 3.

Unlike the Philadelphia coins sold directly by the Mint, the West Point pieces are entering circulation through Federal Reserve Banks.

One-Year Enduring Liberty Design

Both special 9/11 issues use the one-year-only Enduring Liberty design created for the nation’s Semiquincentennial. Standard versions without a privy mark are struck at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints and began entering the circulation pipeline in January.

The obverse features a close-up view of the Statue of Liberty, her gaze directed 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. The mint mark and 9/11 privy appear on this side of the special West Point issue.

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

The clad half dollars are composed of 8.33% nickel with the balance copper, weigh 11.340 grams, measure 30.61 mm in diameter and have reeded edges.

The Enduring Liberty design replaced the John F. Kennedy portrait for 2026, making it the first circulating U.S. half dollar since 1964 issued without Kennedy’s likeness. The Mint also began selling regular Philadelphia- and Denver-struck Enduring Liberty halves in rolls and bags on May 26.