Jeff Garrett: Getting Ready for the 2026 Semiquincentennial
Posted on 7/3/2025
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Starting later this year, you will probably start hearing the tongue-twisting term "Semiquincentennial" quite often. The term represents the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This landmark anniversary for the United States will be widely heralded around the world.
The Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. projects attendance to almost double next year to more than 7 million visitors. There will be rolling events leading up to July 4th, 2026, around the country. This is an anniversary that will be remembered for generations.
The year 2026 also promises to be a landmark year for numismatics, as well. The US Mint will be issuing an array of special commemorative coins to mark the occasion. One of the most interesting numismatic issues that has been announced is the first-ever "bell-shaped" coin, which is based on the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. This innovative mint product is sure to be popular with collectors seeking an interesting relic of the celebration.
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| Click image to enlarge. | |
The US Mint will also be issuing special "privy mark" coins noting the dates 1776-2026 on several circulating coins. The public will be encouraged to search their pocket change for these special issues. More details on these and other 2026 US Mint coins will become available as the year progresses.
Another exciting issue that has been proposed is the "Best of the Mint" collection. This may include reissues of the classic 1916 Mercury Dime, 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter, 1916 Walking Liberty Half Dollar, 1804 Draped Bust Dollar and the 1907 High Relief Double Eagle. The latter two could be amazing and very popular.
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| First Row: 1916-D Mercury Dime, 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter Second Row: 1916 Walking Liberty Half Dollar, 1804 Draped Bust Dollar Third Row: 1907 High Relief Double Eagle Click images to enlarge. |
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The US Mint is not the only sovereign mint that will be issuing coins for the 250th anniversary of US independence. Ironically, the British Mint has a few special coins or commemorative medals planned for the celebration. The French Mint will also be issuing coins or medals highlighting the vital role France played in the US gaining its independence. There will no doubt be an array of special commemoratives being issued by other minting authorities around the world.
The numismatic importance of the year 2026 continues with the projected elimination of the beloved one-cent coin. The fate of the cent has been debated for years, but as the projected cost to produce each coin approached 4 each this year, its demise became an easier decision.
Reportedly, the US Mint will keep striking one-cent coins until its supply of planchets has been depleted. This will probably happen in 2026. The US Mint discontinued placing orders for new cent planchets. Many hobby leaders had hoped the US Mint would continue to make one-cent coins for Proof sets or other special collector sets, but this has not been announced so far.
The end of the one-cent coin is a defining moment for the hobby of numismatics. When the US Mint stopped making Large Cents in 1857, it practically created the hobby we all know and love today. For the first time, the public paid attention to circulating coinage, and many people started collections. The American Numismatic Society was created in 1858, and many of the first coin auctions were conducted during this era.
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| The introduction of the Flying Eagle Cent helped inspire America's modern coin collecting. Click images to enlarge. |
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Millions of present-day collectors, including myself, started coin collecting with an album for Lincoln Cents. The gateway coin will soon become a relic of the past. One cent coinage will continue to circulate, but their relevance will slowly diminish over time. A complete set of Lincoln Cents will now be a definitive 1909-2026. It will be interesting to see how this impacts the popularity of this iconic series. Nostalgia will certainly be a factor for all of us of a certain age.
The impact of the end of the cent for numismatics is somewhat dampened by the demand of US quarters. Since the inception of the States Quarter program in 1999, the US Mint has been issuing an array of commemorative quarters. The Guide Book of United States Coins (the Red Book) strains to make room for them every year. This series now seems to have taken the mantle of the most popular coins for anyone starting a collection of US coins. There will undoubtably be some interesting US quarter issues for Semiquincentennial celebrations. Hopefully, US quarters will fill the void left by the loss of our treasured Lincoln Cents.
The numismatic impact of 2026 continues with another special anniversary. 2026 will also mark the 40th anniversary of the US Silver and Gold Eagle bullion series. I have not seen any announcements yet, but in the past, the US Mint has issued special coins to commemorate anniversaries of this series. The Silver Eagle series is one of the most collected US coins, and special issues are eagerly sought after. The 40th anniversary of the Gold and Silver Eagles will be a big deal.
As can be seen from all of the above, 2026 promises to be a great year for the hobby. With so much attention on the history of our nation, numismatics will surely shine. It is an opportunity to grow the hobby that seldom occurs.
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