First Look at 1776 ~ 2026 Semiquincentennial Coin Images

On Thursday, Dec. 11, the United States Mint unveiled imagery showcasing the one-year-only designs of its semiquincentennial circulating coins for 2026. As part of the year-long celebrations of the nation’s 250th anniversary, the Mint is producing an updated cent and nickel and completely new versions of the dime, half dollar, and five quarters recognizing the Mayflower Compact, the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Gettysburg Address — three of them replacing earlier proposed themes.

It should be noted that the Mint is no longer producing cents for circulation, with the final pieces just auctioned — the top lot reaching $800,000 — although a redesigned 2026 cent will still appear in numismatic products for collectors. The half dollar, meanwhile, returned to circulation in 2021 after years of numismatic-only production, though in comparatively very small quantities.

“The designs on these historic coins depict the story of America’s journey toward a ‘more perfect union,’ and celebrate America’s defining ideals of liberty,” said Acting Mint Director Kristie McNally. “We hope to offer each American the opportunity to hold our nation’s storied 250 years of history in the palms of their hands as we Connect America through Coins.”

Previously, line-art images of the recommended designs had been released following reviews by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) and the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA). The Treasury Secretary, under the authority of the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-330), was responsible for making the final selections.

U.S. Mint images and descriptions for the 2026 semiquincentennial coins appear below.

1776 ~ 2026 Semiquincentennial Penny

The obverse (heads) of the one-cent coin features Victor David Brenner’s likeness of President Lincoln, introduced in 1909, and the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.” For one year only, it will include the dual dates of “1776 ~ 2026.”

Since 2010, the reverse of the penny has featured a design emblematic of President Lincoln’s preservation of the United States of America as a single and united country. The design depicts a union shield with a scroll draped across. The 13 vertical stripes of the shield represent the states joined in one compact union to support the federal government, represented by the horizontal bar above.

Although this coin will no longer circulate in pocket change in 2026, it can still be purchased as a collectible from the United States Mint.

Obverse Designer / Sculptor: Victor David Brenner
Reverse Designer: Lyndall Bass
Reverse Sculptor: Joseph Menna

1776 ~ 2026 Semiquincentennial Nickel

The forward-looking 2006 nickel obverse (heads) was inspired by the Rembrandt Peale painting of 1800. As with the 2005 Westward Journey nickels, the word “Liberty” in Thomas Jefferson’s own handwriting is inscribed on the nickel obverse. Jamie Franki’s obverse was selected from 147 design candidates submitted by U.S. Mint medallic artists and Artistic Infusion Program artists. For one year only, the nickel’s obverse will feature the dual dates of “1776 ~ 2026.”

The reverse’s classic rendition of Jefferson’s Monticello estate by Felix Schlag (1938) was carefully restored in 2006 by U.S. Mint Medallic Artist John Mercanti, using Schlag’s original work. Over more than 65 years of production, the United States Mint slightly modified the reverse design for technical reasons.

Obverse Designer: Jamie Franki
Obverse Sculptor: Donna Weaver
Reverse Designer: Felix Schlag
Reverse Sculptor: John Mercanti

1776 ~ 2026 Semiquincentennial Dime (Emerging Liberty Dime)

The obverse design features a determined Liberty as the winds of revolution waft through her hair. With steadfast resolve, she faces the tyranny of the British monarchy. Her liberty cap bears stars and stripes, at once a symbol of our burgeoning Nation and a reference to early American coinage. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “1776 ~ 2026.”

The reverse design features an eagle in flight carrying arrows in its talons, representing the American Revolution and the colonists’ fight for independence. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “ONE DIME,” and “LIBERTY OVER TYRANNY.”

Obverse Designer: Esao Andrews
Obverse Sculptor: Craig A. Campbell
Reverse Designer / Sculptor: Eric David Custer

1776 ~ 2026 Semiquincentennial Quarters

Mint images and descriptions for the five 2026 quarters, each with its own theme, follow.

Mayflower Compact Quarter

The obverse design features two Pilgrims embracing as they behold the New World. The Pilgrims did not arrive at their intended destination; therefore, they did not hold a charter to establish a colony at Plymouth. Instead, the Mayflower Compact, signed November 21, 1620, established the colony as a mutual enterprise, and its force of law depended on the consent of the colonists themselves to promote the common good. The Mayflower Compact is considered a precursor to the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. The inscriptions are “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “1776 ~ 2026,” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.”

The reverse design features the Mayflower, with full sails over rough seas, heading west. The Pilgrims aboard sought religious freedom in the New World, eventually landing at Cape Cod and settling in what later became Plymouth, Massachusetts. The inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “LIBERTY,” “MAYFLOWER COMPACT,” and “25¢.”

Obverse Designer: Ronald D. Sanders
Obverse Sculptor: Eric David Custer
Reverse Designer: Cyrus E. Dallin
Reverse Sculptor: Phebe Hemphill

Revolutionary War Quarter

The obverse design features George Washington, the first President of the United States and Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. The inscriptions are “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “1776 ~ 2026.”

The reverse design shows a Continental Army soldier at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Washington’s forces endured defeat at the Battle of Brandywine and faced disease and extreme cold during their winter encampment from 1777 to 1778. Independence had been declared the previous July, but the Second Continental Congress was forced to flee Philadelphia to evade a British attack. The soldier’s resolute gaze shows his will to overcome the trials of the war in pursuit of liberty. The inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “LIBERTY,” “25¢,” and “REVOLUTIONARY WAR.”

Obverse Designer / Sculptor: Joseph Menna
Reverse Designer: Donna Weaver
Reverse Sculptor: Craig A. Campbell

Declaration of Independence Quarter

The obverse design features Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States. The inscriptions are “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “1776 ~ 2026.”

The reverse design depicts the Liberty Bell ringing. While it is unclear whether it rang out in July 1776, the Liberty Bell often rang to draw people near and share an announcement, or a declaration. The Bell’s crack is visible; the fragility of the Bell echoing the fragility of a young nation at its founding. The inscriptions are “THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE,” “QUARTER DOLLAR,” “LIBERTY,” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”

Obverse Designer / Sculptor: Unknown
Reverse Designer: Benjamin Sowards
Reverse Sculptor: John McGraw

U.S. Constitution Quarter

The obverse design features James Madison, the fourth President of the United States, popularly known as the “Father of the Constitution” for his role in drafting and promoting the foundational document. The inscriptions are “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “1776 ~ 2026.”

The reverse design depicts Independence Hall in Philadelphia, where the Liberty Bell was housed and where both the Declaration and U.S. Constitution were written, debated, and signed. The inscription “WE THE PEOPLE” and the image of Independence Hall together highlight a founding principle laid out in the Constitution: specifically, that our government is grounded in the consent of the governed. The inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “WE THE PEOPLE,” “LIBERTY,” “U.S. CONSTITUTION,” and “QUARTER DOLLAR.”

Obverse Designer: Joel Iskowitz
Obverse Sculptor: Don Everhart
Reverse Designer: Donna Weaver
Reverse Sculptor: Phebe Hemphill

Gettysburg Address Quarter

The obverse design features America’s 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. Today, the Gettysburg Address is recognized as one of the most poignant and moving speeches in American history. Lincoln paid tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and appealed to all Americans to advance the principles for which the soldiers gave their lives. This portrait captures both the profound burden of war on his weathered face, while his steady, forward-looking gaze reflects an unshakable resolve and determination to move the country forward as one indivisible nation. The inscriptions are “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “1776 ~ 2026.”

The reverse design features the inscription “A NEW NATION CONCEIVED IN LIBERTY,” a passage from President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Two hands grasping each other represent Lincoln’s efforts to hold the Nation together and his appeal to Americans to honor the dead and ensure “that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” The inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, “A NEW NATION CONCEIVED IN LIBERTY,” “25¢,” and “GETTYSBURG ADDRESS.”

Obverse Designer: Justin Kunz
Obverse Sculptor: Don Everhart
Reverse Designer: Beth Zaiken
Reverse Sculptor: Craig A. Campbell

1776 ~ 2026 Semiquincentennial Half Dollar (Enduring Liberty Half Dollar)

The obverse design shows a close-up view of the Statue of Liberty, her steadfast gaze looking outward as if toward the future. The inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “1776 ~ 2026.”

The reverse design features Liberty passing her torch, its flame trailing with the momentum of purpose, to a new generation. Inscriptions are “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “HALF DOLLAR,” and “KNOWLEDGE IS THE ONLY GUARDIAN OF TRUE LIBERTY.”

Obverse Designer: Donna Weaver
Obverse Sculptor: John McGraw
Reverse Designer: Beth Zaiken
Reverse Sculptor: Darla Jackson

Changes to the Recommended 2026 Quarter Designs

To view the original design recommendations for the 250th anniversary circulating coinage, see the cent and nickel, the dime, and the half dollar.

As presented above, the five 2026 quarters recognize the Mayflower Compact, the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Gettysburg Address. Three of these themes replaced earlier concepts that had already been reviewed by the CCAC and CFA.

Originally, the concepts centered on the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Abolition, Suffrage, and Civil Rights designs.

Broader 2026 Celebration Plans Include New Gold Coins and Silver Medals

The Mint’s 2026 lineup will also include five “Best of the Mint” gold coin and silver medal sets honoring the nation’s semiquincentennial. The gold coins feature Adolph A. Weinman’s Mercury dime, Hermon A. MacNeil’s Standing Liberty quarter, Weinman’s Walking Liberty half dollar, the 1804 dollar, and Saint-Gaudens’ 1907 Double Eagle, each paired with a silver medal that reinterprets its companion gold coin in modern form.

No new law was needed for these releases, as the Mint has broader authority when producing gold coins and medals, while new circulating and silver coin designs require specific congressional authorization.

In addition to the circulating coin designs unveiled for 2026, the Mint outlined several updates to its numismatic products, stating:

“The American Buffalo, American Eagle, and Morgan & Peace coins will also have the dual date of ‘1776 ~ 2026.’ These coins, as well as the 2026 American Innovation $1 Coins, will include a unique Liberty Bell privy mark inscribed with the numeral ‘250.’ The Innovation coins’ privy mark also incorporates the gear symbol that has been on the obverse of coins in the series since 2019.”

CoinNews earlier covered the 2026 Innovation dollars, which will honor key contributions from Iowa, Wisconsin, California, and Minnesota.

Looking Ahead to 2027

In 2027, the dime will return to its earlier design, while the quarter and half dollar reverses will feature Youth and Paralympic Sports in a new four-year program.