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Our Nation's Semiquincentennial is Coming

July 4th, 2026 will mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and our country’s Semiquincentennial (Semi-Q) anniversary. To celebrate this significant milestone, the U.S. Mint will be redesigning select circulating coin designs for 2026 and release a “Best of the Mint” coin collection that reflects the rich numismatic history of the United States.

While the final coin designs are being determined, we’ll be taking you behind the scenes to show you how a historic redesign like this comes to life. Make sure you’re signed up for email notification so you don’t miss the next update!

A Look Back at the "Best of the Mint" Coins

In November 2023, the public helped kickstart the redesign process by ranking 21 historic coins issued by the U.S. Mint over the last 250 years. The list of 21 historic coins was developed in consultation with the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) and the Curator of the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institute after considering artistic merit, historical significance, and other factors.

The selections include history-making coins from both far and recent past – from the earliest official coins produced at the Mint’s inception in 1792 to the award-winning 2017 American Liberty 24k Gold Coin. Join us as we explore and reflect on our rich numismatic history.

Early History (1792-1849)

It all began in 1792, when the Coinage Act established a National Mint for the United States in Philadelphia. However, coining during this time was a slow process, and the new U.S. Mint was unable to produce the large quantities of coins needed for circulation.

Coins from this era include the 1792 Half Dime, 1792 Birch Cent, 1793 Liberty Cap Cent, 1804 Silver Dollar, 1836 Gobrecht Silver Dollar, 1848 CAL. Liberty Head $2.50 Gold Coin, and the 1849 $20 Gold Double Eagle.

19th-Early 20th Century (1856-1921)

The U.S. Mint began building steam-powered coining presses that were less labor intensive, paving the way for new jobs as well as new Mint branches across the country. In 1857, the U.S. Mint could produce enough coins for circulation, and Congress banned all foreign coins from circulation.

Coins from this era include the 1856 Flying Eagle Cent, 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar, 1907 Saint-Gaudens High Relief $20 Gold Coin, 1909 Lincoln Wheat Cent, 1913 Liberty Head Nickel, 1916 Mercury Dime, 1916 Liberty Walking Half Dollar, 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter Dollar, and the 1921 Peace Dollar.

Mid-20th Century (1964-2017)

Electricity replaced steam and machines became computer-controlled leading to a large increase in coin production. Two hundred years ago one press could only produce a couple dozen coins per minute, today’s presses produce around 750 coins per minute.

Coins from this era include the 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar, 1986 State of Liberty $5 Gold Coin, 1987 Constitution Bicentennial $5 Gold Coin, 1999 George Washington Commemorative Five Dollar Coin, and the 2017 American Liberty High Relief $100 Gold Coin.

Early History (1792-1849)
19th-Early 20th Century (1856-1921)
Early History (1792-1849)