April 19th marks the start of National Coin Week, and the Mint is ready to party. This year, we are celebrating the 250th anniversary of America.
You probably know all about our amazing lineup of Semiquincentennial Coins & Medals this year. But did you know that the Mint has honored America’s birthday before with special coins and medals in 1976, 1926, and 1876?
In 1976, the Mint led the way in celebrating America’s 200th anniversary with the Bicentennial Coin and Medal Program. One of the most successful circulating programs in American history, bicentennial coins are still treasured by collectors today. The Mint also made several types of medals to honor the occasion.
For the Sesquicentennial in 1926, Congress authorized a gold quarter eagle ($2.50 coins) and a silver half dollar. The quarter eagle featured Liberty on the obverse and Independence Hall on the reverse, while the half dollar featured President Washington and President Coolidge on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse.
In 1876, the United States celebrated its 100th anniversary. Congress authorized medals to be struck and issued as part of the Centennial International Exhibition of 1876 (Philadelphia World's Fair).
Official medals were struck in silver, bronze, and copper gilt. The medals share a common obverse design of Liberty kneeling with a sword. Some reverses simply have a text inscription and others show Liberty placing crowns of laurel on the heads of figures representing Industry and Arts.
Click the links below to learn more about coins and medals celebrating America's independence:
Some call them buffaloes. Others call them bison. Either way, the National Mammal of the United States is having a big year--a HUGE year, in fact. In March, the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of Natural History unveiled three massive buffalo statues to celebrate the Nation's Semiquincentennial in Washington, DC.
The Mint, of course, was a trailblazer at honoring the buffalo as a symbol of American pride. Since famed sculptor James Earle Fraser designed the legendary Buffalo Nickel in 1913, the buffalo has appeared on five circulating coins and four commemorative coins. It's also the featured design for the American Buffalo Gold Coin Program, which launched in 2006, and offers coins in proof and bullion finishes.
Interested in adding a 2026 American Buffalo Gold Coin to your collection? Click below.
Fraser's Buffalo Nickel design showcased the native beauty of the American West and remained in circulation for 25 years.
In 1999, the bison would return for the Yellowstone National Park Commemorative Silver Dollar. Only two years later, it was back again on the American Buffalo Commemorative Silver Dollar.
The launch of the 50 State Quarters Program saw the buffalo make its first appearance in circulation since the 1930s. The Kansas State Quarter (2005) and North Dakota State Quarter (2006) both depicted bison on their reverses. American Bison appeared on a Westward Journey Nickel (2005), as well.
In 2010, the Yellowstone National Park Quarter featured--you guessed it--the buffalo.
Finally, the National Park Service Commemorative Coin Program featured two coins with buffaloes in 2016.
The Liberty Bell, a famous symbol of American freedom, has decorated numerous coins and medals throughout history. Test your knowledge of freedom-ringing coins in this month's Mint Trivia.
1. The Liberty Bell is featured prominently on the reverse of which 20th-century coin?
A) 1962 Half Dollar
B) 1964 Half Dollar
C) 1976 Half Dollar
D) 1916 Half Dollar
2. The Liberty Bell is on the reverse of which 2026 Semiquincentennial Quarter?
A) Revolutionary War Quarter
B) Declaration of Independence Quarter
C) U.S. Constitution Quarter
D) Liberty Bell Quarter
3. The Liberty Bell is NOT incorporated into a privy mark on which 2026 coin?
A) American Innovation $1 Coin - Wisconsin
B) Native American $1 Coin - Polly Cooper
C) American Eagle One-Quarter Ounce Gold Coin
D) Best of the Mint - 1804 Dollar Gold Coin
A) 1962 Half Dollar
The Benjamin Franklin Half Dollar (1948-1963) featured the Liberty Bell on the reverse until 1963, when it was replaced by the Kennedy Half Dollar.
B) Declaration of Independence Quarter
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.
B) Native American $1 Coin - Polly Cooper
The obverses of American Innovation $1 Coins feature a privy mark of a stylized gear, representing industry and innovation. In 2026, the privy mark also incorporates a Liberty Bell. American Eagle Gold Proof Coins and Best of the Mint Gold Coins also feature Liberty Bell privy marks in 2026.
