Coins Online - Holiday 2025

Everyone knows about a centennial, and most folks can probably guess a bicentennial is 200 years (and some of our most beloved coins and medals). But what is that tricky word for America’s upcoming anniversary in 2026? Let’s break it down.

In 2026, the United States of America will officially celebrate the Nation’s . . . [DRUM ROLL, PLEASE] . . . Semiquincentennial.

Don’t let the name intimidate you. “Semi” in this context means “half.” The “quin-centennial” refers to a 500-year anniversary. (Sorry, John Quincy Adams fans. Although, our sixth president would turn 259 next July, he’ll have to schedule his birthday separately.)

So, put it all together. Half of 500 years = SemiQ = 250 years of America being awesome.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk about what we’re minting for next year’s sensational SemiQ Coin & Medal Program. The Mint just announced its 2026 plans, and it’s a lot!

• Redesigned Emerging Liberty Dime (first time the dime has changed since 1946)
• Five-coin series for our Circulating Quarter featuring themes reflective of:
  • The Mayflower Compact
  • Washington and the Revolutionary War
  • Declaration of Independence and Jefferson
  • U.S. Constitution and James Madison (our fourth president)
  • Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address
• Best of the Mint Coin & Medal Sets with classic and modern, reimagined designs incorporating Mercury Dime, Standing Liberty, Walking Liberty, 1804 Silver Dollar, and the 1907 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle
• Redesigned Enduring Liberty Half Dollar featuring the Statue of Liberty
• Dual dates added to select annual products that say “1776 ~ 2026”
• Special “250” privy on select annual products

Whether you call it America 250, SemiQ, or John Quincy Cincinnati, just know it’s going to be a great year Connecting America through Coins.

It was the year before the great Semiquincentennial. And as the ancient texts foretold, change was coming: One penny to rule them all. One penny to find them. One penny to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them.

And so, on December 11, 2025, the prophecy came true. The Omega Penny awakened.

[DUN, DUN, DUUUN!]

To honor the final year of the circulating penny, the Mint publicly auctioned the last 232 pennies struck with 232 three-coin sets. Numbered in sequential order of strike, the 232nd set is the last set of circulating pennies and includes all three defaced dies. The number of sets for auction recognized the 232 years that the United States produced the one-cent coin.

While the exclusive sets were not actually very scary, they did make a few jaws drop. They featured one Denver penny, one Philadelphia penny, and for the first time ever, a 24-karat gold uncirculated penny. Each coin featured a unique omega privy mark, too, signifying they are among the last of the circulating pennies ever struck by the Mint.

Is this the end, my friends? Yes and no. Although the penny will no longer circulate in your pocket change, the Mint will continue to make pennies for collectible products, such as the Proof Set, Silver Proof Set and Uncirculated Set. In fact, the 2026 SemiQ Penny will feature a special one-year-only dual date of “1776 ~ 2026.”

So, fear not! The Omega Pennypocalypse has come and gone, and Mr. Lincoln’s legacy lives on . . . in copper, zinc, and even shiny gold. 

Ready to challenge yourself? This month’s trivia covers over 100 years of quarters from Lady Liberty to the Bicentennial Quarter to American Women Quarters™ and everything in between. Test your knowledge below.

1. Which of these quarters has Washington on the obverse (heads), facing right?

A) Bicentennial Quarter

B) American Women Quarters™

C) America the Beautiful Quarters®

D) 50 State Quarters

2. Which quarter or quarters were produced for more than one year?

A) Maya Angelou American Women Quarter

B) General Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter

C) D.C. and U.S. Territories Quarters

D) Bicentennial Quarter

3. Which quarter design will be reproduced as a gold coin in 2026?

A) 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter

B) 1916 Walking Liberty Quarter

C) 1932 George Washington Quarter

D) 1838 Seated Liberty Quarter