The United States is celebrating a historic milestone in 2026: the Semiquincentennial, marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. To commemorate this momentous anniversary, the U.S. Mint is releasing five special quarter designs that honor the founding principles and pivotal moments that shaped American history.
Each of these Semiquincentennial coins features a distinctive dual date of 1776-2026, connecting the nation’s revolutionary past to its present. The five-quarter series highlights the Mayflower Compact, Revolutionary War, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Gettysburg Address, offering collectors a comprehensive celebration of American liberty and governance.
For numismatists and history enthusiasts alike, these quarters represent more than just commemorative currency. They’re tangible pieces of American heritage, designed to educate and inspire while offering potential collectible value.
What Are Semiquincentennial Coins?
Semiquincentennial coins are commemorative pieces issued by the U.S. Mint to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence. The term “Semiquincentennial” refers to a 250-year anniversary, derived from the Latin roots “semi” (half), “quin” (five), and “centennial” (100 years).
The 2026 Semiquincentennial coin program represents a comprehensive celebration of American history through numismatics. The U.S. Mint is releasing five special quarter designs as part of this anniversary. Each coin in the program carries the dual date “1776-2026” to emphasize the connection between the nation’s founding and its 250th anniversary.
The dual-date feature (1776-2026) appears on all Semiquincentennial quarters, making them instantly recognizable and historically significant. This design element follows the precedent set by the 1976 Bicentennial quarters, which featured the dual date 1776-1976 and remain among the most recognized commemorative coins in American history.
Milestone anniversaries have long been occasions for special coinage. The U.S. Mint uses these commemorative programs to educate the public about American history, celebrate national achievements, and create collectible pieces that preserve important moments for future generations. Previous major anniversary coins, including the Bicentennial issues, demonstrated strong collector interest and continue to hold significance in numismatic collections decades after their release.
The 2026 Semiquincentennial Quarter Series Overview
The 2026 Semiquincentennial quarter program consists of five distinct designs, each highlighting a foundational document or pivotal moment in American history. Together, these quarters tell the story of American liberty, governance, and unity from the colonial period through the Civil War era.
The five commemorative themes are:
- Mayflower Compact: Celebrating early self-governance and the foundations of American democracy
- Revolutionary War: Honoring the sacrifice and determination that secured independence
- Declaration of Independence: Commemorating the document that formally established American sovereignty
- U.S. Constitution: Recognizing the framework that continues to govern the nation
- Gettysburg Address: Remembering Lincoln’s call for unity and the preservation of democratic ideals
Release schedule
The quarters are being released throughout 2026, with the Mayflower Compact quarter launching first on January 5, 2026, followed by the Revolutionary War quarter on March 23, 2026. The remaining three designs will be released later in the year.
Design features and dual-date significance
Each quarter features unique obverse and reverse designs specific to its theme. Unlike regular circulating quarters that display George Washington on the obverse, these Semiquincentennial quarters showcase historical figures relevant to each commemorative theme. The dual date “1776-2026” appears prominently on each coin, emphasizing the 250-year span of American independence.
All Semiquincentennial quarters are minted at both the Philadelphia and Denver facilities, identifiable by their “P” and “D” mint marks. The U.S. Mint is producing these coins for general circulation as well as in special collector formats, including rolls, bags, and proof sets. While these quarters will enter circulation and can be found in everyday change, collectors can also purchase uncirculated examples directly from the U.S. Mint or through authorized dealers to ensure premium condition.
Mayflower Compact Quarter (Released January 5, 2026)
The Mayflower Compact quarter launched on January 5, 2026, as the first release in the Semiquincentennial series. This inaugural coin set the tone for the entire program, celebrating one of the earliest examples of self-governance in American history.
Design details
The obverse features two pilgrims embracing, symbolizing unity and cooperation among the early settlers who signed the Mayflower Compact in 1620. This intimate portrayal captures the spirit of community and mutual commitment that characterized the Plymouth Colony’s founding. The reverse displays the Mayflower ship, the vessel that carried the pilgrims across the Atlantic and became an enduring symbol of courage, faith, and the pursuit of freedom.
Historical significance
The Mayflower Compact was a groundbreaking agreement signed by 41 male passengers aboard the Mayflower before they disembarked at Plymouth Rock. This document established a framework for self-governance and majority rule, creating what many historians consider the first written constitution in North America. The Compact’s principles of consent of the governed and rule of law would later influence the founding documents of the United States.
Why this represents American founding principles
By beginning the Semiquincentennial series with the Mayflower Compact, the U.S. Mint acknowledges that American democracy’s roots extend beyond 1776. This quarter recognizes that the values of self-governance, community cooperation, and written agreements predated the Revolution and helped shape the nation’s character.
Early collector interest in the Mayflower Compact quarter has been strong, with many numismatists eager to secure first-strike examples and complete sets as the series progresses throughout 2026.
Revolutionary War Quarter (Released March 23, 2026)
The Revolutionary War quarter was released on March 23, 2026, as the second coin in the Semiquincentennial series. This design honors the sacrifice and perseverance of those who fought to secure American independence.
Design details
The obverse features George Washington, the Continental Army’s commander-in-chief and the leader whose strategic vision and unwavering determination proved essential to American victory. Washington’s presence on this quarter connects the Revolutionary struggle directly to the leadership that would later shape the presidency and the nation’s early government. The reverse depicts a Continental Army soldier at Valley Forge, capturing one of the most challenging moments of the Revolutionary War when Washington’s troops endured a brutal winter with inadequate supplies, clothing, and shelter.
Historical significance and Valley Forge symbolism
Valley Forge represents more than just a military encampment. It symbolizes resilience, sacrifice, and the willingness to endure tremendous hardship for the cause of liberty. The winter of 1777-1778 tested the Continental Army’s resolve, and their survival and subsequent training transformed them into a more disciplined and effective fighting force. This imagery reminds collectors that American independence was not easily won but required extraordinary commitment and suffering.
Available formats
The U.S. Mint is offering the Revolutionary War quarter in multiple collector formats, including 2-roll sets featuring coins from both the Philadelphia and Denver mints, and bags containing larger quantities for serious collectors. These options allow collectors at all levels to participate in the Semiquincentennial celebration while building sets that match their collecting goals and budgets.
Declaration of Independence Quarter
The Declaration of Independence quarter, scheduled for release later in 2026, commemorates the document that formally announced American sovereignty and articulated the philosophical foundations of the new nation.
Design details
The obverse features Thomas Jefferson, principal author of the Declaration of Independence and one of the most influential founding fathers. Jefferson’s intellectual contributions to American democracy extended far beyond drafting the Declaration, but this document remains his most enduring legacy. The reverse displays the Liberty Bell, perhaps the most iconic symbol of American independence and freedom, whose inscription, “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land,” has resonated with generations seeking justice and equality.
Historical significance of the Declaration
Adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence transformed the colonial rebellion into a war for independence based on universal principles of human rights and self-governance. Jefferson’s eloquent assertion that “all men are created equal” and possess “unalienable Rights” including “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” established ideals that continue to shape American identity and inspire democratic movements worldwide.
Why Jefferson and the Liberty Bell symbolize this milestone:
Jefferson represents the intellectual and philosophical foundations of American independence, while the Liberty Bell embodies the physical symbol of that freedom. Together, these design elements capture both the ideas and the spirit of 1776, making this quarter a powerful representation of the moment when the thirteen colonies became an independent nation. The Liberty Bell’s association with the Declaration’s first public reading further strengthens the connection between symbol and document.
U.S. Constitution Quarter
The U.S. Constitution quarter, expected later in the 2026 release schedule, honors the framework that has governed the United States for over two centuries and remains the world’s oldest written national constitution still in use.
Design details
The obverse features James Madison, widely recognized as the “Father of the Constitution” for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the document. Madison’s intellectual contributions during the Constitutional Convention of 1787, combined with his authorship of many Federalist Papers defending the Constitution’s ratification, make him the ideal figure to represent this quarter’s theme. The reverse displays Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the building where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated and adopted.
Madison’s role as “Father of the Constitution”
James Madison arrived at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 with a detailed plan for a new federal government, which became the foundation for the Constitution’s structure. His Virginia Plan proposed a system of checks and balances, separation of powers, and federalism that remain central to American governance. Throughout the convention’s debates, Madison took extensive notes that provide the most complete record of the proceedings, further cementing his legacy as the Constitution’s primary architect.
Independence Hall’s importance in American history
Independence Hall stands as the birthplace of American democracy, hosting the debates and decisions that created both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. By featuring this building on the reverse, the quarter acknowledges the physical space where American founding principles were transformed from ideas into governing documents. The building’s enduring presence in Philadelphia serves as a tangible connection between past and present, reminding Americans of the debates, compromises, and vision that established their system of government.
Gettysburg Address Quarter
The Gettysburg Address quarter, scheduled for release later in 2026, closes the Semiquincentennial series by honoring one of the most powerful and enduring speeches in American history.
Design details
The obverse features Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, whose leadership during the Civil War preserved the Union and redefined the meaning of American democracy. Lincoln’s presence on this final quarter connects the founding principles celebrated in earlier releases to their ultimate test and reaffirmation during the nation’s darkest conflict. The reverse displays two hands grasping each other, a powerful symbol of unity, reconciliation, and the bonds that hold the nation together despite deep divisions.
Historical significance of the Gettysburg Address
Delivered on November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Lincoln’s brief address transformed a military victory into a moral and philosophical statement about democracy’s survival. In just 272 words, Lincoln redefined the Civil War as a test of whether a nation “conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal” could endure. His closing promise that “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth” has become one of democracy’s most quoted and cherished phrases.
Unity symbolism in the design
The image of two hands clasping represents reconciliation after division, the strength found in unity, and the ongoing commitment Americans must make to preserve their democratic bonds. By ending the Semiquincentennial quarter series with this symbol, the U.S. Mint emphasizes that American democracy requires not just founding documents but continued dedication to unity and shared purpose across generations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Semiquincentennial Coins
The Semiquincentennial quarter series is being released throughout 2026. The Mayflower Compact quarter launched on January 5, 2026, followed by the Revolutionary War quarter on March 23, 2026. The Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Gettysburg Address quarters will be released later in 2026. Check the U.S. Mint’s website or contact CV Coins for specific release dates as they’re announced.
Yes, Semiquincentennial quarters are being released into general circulation and will eventually appear in everyday pocket change. However, finding them may take time as they mix with billions of regular quarters already in circulation. Banks may be able to provide rolls of new quarters, increasing your chances of finding Semiquincentennial designs. Keep in mind that coins found in circulation will show wear and handling marks compared to uncirculated examples purchased from the U.S. Mint or dealers.
Semiquincentennial quarters have a face value of 25 cents and can be spent as regular currency. Uncirculated examples purchased from the U.S. Mint or dealers command premiums above face value due to packaging, handling, and collector demand. Special finishes like proofs or silver versions command higher premiums. Circulated examples found in pocket change are generally worth face value, though complete sets in excellent condition may develop modest collector premiums over time.
Semiquincentennial refers to a 250-year anniversary. The term comes from Latin roots: “semi” meaning half, “quin” meaning five, and “centennial” meaning 100 years. Together, these combine to represent 250 years (half of five centuries). The 2026 Semiquincentennial marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.
This depends on your collecting goals and budget. Uncirculated coins maintain better long-term value, show no wear from handling, come in protective packaging, and appeal more to serious collectors. Circulated coins can be acquired at face value from pocket change, offer an affordable way to build complete sets, and still provide historical and educational value despite showing wear. Many collectors pursue both: building affordable circulated sets while also maintaining premium uncirculated examples of favorite designs.
Conclusion
The 2026 Semiquincentennial quarter series offers collectors a remarkable opportunity to own beautifully designed coins celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. From the Mayflower Compact’s early foundations of self-governance through the Gettysburg Address’s call for unity, these five quarters tell the story of American democracy’s origins, struggles, and enduring principles.
Collecting commemorative coins connects us to history in tangible ways that books and museums cannot replicate. Holding a Semiquincentennial quarter means possessing an official government-issued artifact marking one of the most significant milestones in American history. Whether you’re a seasoned numismatist or a first-time collector, these coins provide an accessible entry point into commemorative collecting while honoring the documents and moments that shaped the nation.
The Semiquincentennial represents a once-in-a-lifetime anniversary, and the coins produced to mark this occasion will serve as lasting reminders of America’s founding ideals for generations to come. Building a complete set throughout 2026 allows you to participate actively in this historic celebration while creating a collection with both personal and historical significance.
Visit CV Coins or contact us online to purchase Semiquincentennial quarters or to learn more about building your commemorative coin collection. Our knowledgeable team is ready to help you acquire these important pieces of American numismatic history and guide you through the collecting process with expert advice and fair pricing.
