The U.S. Mint Gears Up for America’s Semiquincentennial Anniversary

As we approach 2026, a significant milestone looms on the horizon for the United States - the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding. The 250th, or semiquincentennial anniversary, provides an opportunity for Americans to commemorate our shared past, celebrate our present achievements, and look forward to our collective future with hope and anticipation. Accordingly, the United States Mint will celebrate this milestone with various coin initiatives! Learn more below!

The Semiquincentennial Coin Program 

The United States Mint is preparing to commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary with the Semiquincentennial Coin Program. This exciting initiative, authorized by Public Law 116-330, promises to bring fresh designs to our circulating coins in 2026 to commemorate this significant milestone in American history.

Will America Celebrate 250 Years?

This semiquincentennial celebration represents a quarter of a millennium since the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, marking the birth of the United States. It's a momentous occasion that invites reflection on our rich history, the struggles and triumphs that have shaped us, and the values that continue to define us as a nation.

The planned redesign of our circulating coinage in 2026 will serve as a tangible reminder of our shared heritage. Adding to the excitement, the Mint even invited the public to participate in a survey about potential design themes, allowing Americans to have a say in how they want to commemorate this momentous occasion. The survey was open from November 3rd to December 3rd, 2023 and asked participants for input about potential themes for the coin designs. Those proposed themes were drafted in collaboration with the United States Mint, the Smithsonian, the National Archives and Records Administration, the National Park Service, and the Library of Congress.

A Lens on the Semiquincentennial Coin Survey

The Mint's survey, which has now closed, sought input on potential redesigns for the country's circulating coinage. Although detailed results have yet to be released, it's clear from the Mint's initiative that the designs aim to honor America's rich history and diversity. Some of the proposed themes that appeared in the survey included "the Declaration of Independence," "the United States Constitution," "women's suffrage," "the abolition of slavery," and "depictions of liberty," among many others. In the survey, the public was also offered the chance to contribute their own ideas for design themes.

The final selection process and the announcement of the new designs remain highly anticipated events in the numismatic world. With the survey now concluded, the United States Mint will work to finalize the themes of the design. Mint artists submit potential designs for review to the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) and the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), who each have given their recommendations. The final decision regarding the designs has yet to be made, and will ultimately be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury.

As we wait with bated breath for the unveiling of the 2026 circulating coin redesigns, it's important to remember that creating a coin involves meticulous planning and precision. Every step is carefully orchestrated, from the initial design sketches to the actual striking of the coins. We can expect the new designs to enter circulation around the start of the anniversary year, 2026.

What Are the New U.S. Coins for 2026?

The United States Mint plans to release new coins in 2026 as part of their Semiquincentennial Coin Program to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding. The program will see new designs on many circulating coins just for 2026, including the Lincoln cent, Jefferson Nickel, and Roosevelt Dime, with special provisions for quarter, half-dollar, and dollar-denominated coinage. Up to five quarter designs may be issued, one of which must be "emblematic of a woman's or women's contribution to the birth of the Nation or the Declaration of Independence or any other monumental moments in American History."

The Best of the Mint Collection

In 2026, the United States Mint is also preparing to release a collection known as the "Best of the Mint." This series will feature gold coins that reflect and showcase the rich numismatic history of the nation. The specific coins to be included in this initiative were also something the Mint sought public input regarding during the now-closed survey. Participants were asked to rank 21 iconic designs from throughout the Mint’s long history. Some of the examples that could be ranked included the 1792 Half Disme, 1878 Morgan Silver Dollar, 1907 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle, 1909 Lincoln Cent, 1916 Liberty Walking Half Dollar, 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar, and 1986 State of Liberty $5 Gold Coin.

After gathering feedback from collectors, historians, and enthusiasts alike, the Mint has now finalized the historic designs that will be featured in the "Best of the Mint" collection. The upcoming release will pay tribute to some of the most celebrated and artistically significant coins in American history—each one a landmark of its era. From early 19th-century relics to iconic 20th-century classics, these selected coins represent a powerful blend of craftsmanship, symbolism, and cultural legacy. Below, we take a closer look at the timeless designs that have earned their place in this exciting upcoming series. 

What’s the Difference Between a Scarce Coin and a Rare Coin?

The terms "scarce" and "rare" are often used interchangeably in numismatics despite having distinct meanings. While both terms indicate limited availability, scarce coins and rare coins differ by definition. Understanding these differences can help collectors make more informed decisions when acquiring coins.

Rare vs. Scarce Coins

Rare coins are the result of a low original mintage or low surviving population (meaning they were heavily used in circulation or melted down over time), , giving them significant collector appeal compared to common coins. Their “rarity” is not likely to change. On the other hand, scarce coins are coins that are hard to find at a particular moment, possibly due to temporary market conditions like low supply or high demand. While scarce coins are not typically encountered in public circulation, they are still available in certain markets, and their scarce status is subject to change.  All rare coins are scarce, but not all scarce coins are rare. Rarity often depends on historical context, demand, and collector interest.

To remember the difference between rare and scarce coins, note that scarcity is determined by availability at a particular time, while rarity is a more permanent state barring the discovery of a new coin hoard.

What Makes a Coin “Scarce?”

A scarce coin is a coin that is not necessarily rare, but is hard to find in the marketplace either because it is highly collected and/or just is not available at a particular time. Just because scarce coins are not widely seen in circulation, does not mean they are considered rare in the numismatic market. Also, while rare is a well-recognized term in the numismatic industry, the term scarce is not a formal or technical term, though it is commonly used to describe coins that are hard to find at a particular moment.

What Defines a “Rare” Coin?

Like scarce coins, rare coins are difficult to find, but their scarcity comes from a low initial mintage and/or low surviving population (meaning portions of their mintage were lost over time either due to heavy circulation or mass meltings).  Unless some unknown hoard of the rare coin is found, rarity is a fairly permanent state, unlikely to change. 

In rare coin collecting, rarity is often measured by more than just production numbers; factors such as survival rate, collector enthusiasm, and auction history can play significant roles. Examples of rare coins include:

1794 Flowing Hair Silver Dollar

The Flowing Hair Silver Dollar was the US federal government’s first coin, and only four known copies with a PCGS grade of 65+ exist. The design features a portrait of Lady Liberty on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse. One 66+ PCGS grade Flowing Hair Dollar sold for nearly $5 million in 2015. 

1943 Lincoln Head Copper Penny

1943 Lincoln Head Copper Pennies are extremely rare—only 40 copies are known to exist. Coin experts believe these coins were struck by accident when copper blanks were left in the press while production of the new steel pennies began. The most expensive 1943 Lincoln Head Copper Penny ever purchased was for $82,500 in 1996.

1913 Liberty Head V Nickel

The 1913 Liberty Head V Nickels are a numismatic mystery—no one knows how or why they were produced. The new Buffalo design replaced the old “V” nickel design that year. No Liberty nickels with the 1913 date were approved for production. Only five of these coins were ever produced and are generally considered some of the most valuable coins in the world. Two of these specimens sold for over $3 million each.

2007 $1M Canadian Gold Maple Leaf

In 2007, the Royal Canadian Mint produced five $1 million (CAD) coins known as the Big Maple Leaf. The Big Maple Leafs claimed the Guinness World Record title as the world’s biggest gold coins with an incredible gold purity of 99.999%, making it one of the rarest gold coins to exist. As with other rare coin values, the market value of the 2007 $1M Canadian Gold Maple Leafs has reached more than $1M of its face value—sometimes four times that price.

Collecting Rare Coins

For those interested in rare coin collecting, it is essential to research a coin’s history, mintage numbers, and market demand. Collectors should seek professional grading and authentication services to ensure legitimacy.

Understanding the difference between scarce and rare coins helps collectors build well-informed and curated collections. 

A Brief Look at The Royal Mint 

Britain's oldest company, The Royal Mint has been striking coins for over 11 centuries, founded under Alfred the Great in London in A.D. 886. An Alfred the Great Silver Penny struck during the ninth century was the first The Royal Mint coin. Since then, per The Royal Mint's website, it has become the largest and most technically advanced minting facility in the world.

The first regular, gold circulating coin struck was a gold noble, during the reign of Edward III. It was Henry VII who ordered a "new money of gold" to establish the might and power of his reign, leading to the first striking of a Sovereign-still known as the coin of the monarch today. Then on the recommendation of Charles Montague, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Isaac Newton was appointed Warden of The Royal Mint, then Master of the Mint, a post he held until his death in 1727. The great coinage reform occurred following the end of the Napoleonic Wars, and included the revival of the Sovereign, which featured a reverse design of St. George and the dragon by the Italian engraver Benedetto Pistrucci-still one of the most iconic designs in numismatic history.

For centuries, coins from The Royal Mint were struck by hand, though some attempts were made at modernization. In the 1560s, for example, Eloy Mestrell attempted to add machinery to the coin process, but was unsuccessful. It wouldn't be until 1662 that screw presses and horse-driven rolling mills were put to use, replacing the hand­ striking of coins.

Originally operating within the Tower of London, in 1810 the facility moved to Tower Hill, just a few hundred yards from the Tower, where it stayed until 1967-when it moved to a new 38-acre plant in Llantrisant, South Wales.

In 1855, following discovery of gold "down under': the first overseas branch of The Royal Mint opened in Sydney, Australia. This was followed by Melbourne, Australia in 1872; Perth, Australia in 1899; Ottawa, Canada in 1908; Bombay, India in 1918 and Pretoria, South Africa in 1923. These new branches followed a massive administrative reform of the mint.

Over the years, the mint has also suffered several attacks. In 1917, for example, a bomb struck the mint on June 13 during an air raid, killing four workmen. On December 8, 1940, three staff members were killed when a bomb exploded in the main administrative building.

Today, The Royal Mint strikes millions of coins a year for more than 30 nations around the world. 

Fast Facts: The Sacagawea Dollar

When Was the First Sacagawea Coin Issued?

The first Sacagawea dollar coin was issued in 2000 as an effort to create a new, widely-used dollar coin for circulation. The Sacagawea Dollar honors the famous Shoshone woman who played a vital role in the Lewis and Clark expedition, guiding them through the American West. Sacagawea and her infant son, Jean Baptiste, appear on the obverse in a masterful design created by Glenna Goodacre, which beautifully captures Sacagawea's strength and historical significance.

The series was issued until 2008. In 2009, it became the Native American Dollar series, which is still issued today and still features the iconic Goodacre Sacagawea design.

Why Are there 17 Stars on the Sacagawea Coin?

Sacagawea Dollar Coins feature 17 stars on the reverse design, representing the number of states in the Union at the time of the Lewis and Clark expedition, which took place from 1804 to 1806. This design choice is a nod to the state of the young American nation at the time of Sacagawea's journey with the expedition.

The Sacagawea Dollar was issued from 2000 to 2008. In 2009, the series transitioned to the modern Native American Dollar series, which is still issued today.

How to Tell If You Have a Cheerios Sacagawea Coin?

The Cheerios Sacagawea coin is distinguishable by its unique, more pronounced tail feathers on the eagle's design compared to the standard Sacagawea dollar. These coins were initially distributed in 5,500 Cheerios cereal boxes in the year 2000, and were made from a different die than standard Sacagawea Dollars, making them of interest to collectors. Identifying a Cheerios Sacagawea coin can be an exciting discovery for coin collectors.

Are Sacagawea Coins Still Made?

No. The Sacagawea coin series which featured the remarkable Native American woman who greatly assisted the Lewis and Clark expedition is not still minted today. Sacagawea coins were issued from 2000 to 2008, before the series then transitioned to the Native American coin series in 2009. Sacagawea still appears on the obverse of Native American Dollars. However, the new series features a unique reverse design every year, showcasing a different aspect of Native American history and culture.