NGC Special Labels and Designations for 1776-2026-W Proof Gold Eagles Submitted at the Whitman Baltimore Expo

The US Mint is releasing the 1776-2026-W Liberty Bell 250th Anniversary Proof Gold Eagles on March 5, 2026, during the Whitman Expo in Baltimore, Maryland. To celebrate and mark the occasion, NGC® is offering special labels and designations for coins submitted at the show.

NGC will offer the First Day of Issue, First Day - Baltimore and Baltimore Show Releases designations for qualifying coins submitted to NGC at the show, which is being held in Baltimore from March 5 to 7. Special submission instructions must be followed. For regular submissions of the Proof Gold Eagles, click here.

The 2026 coins continue to feature Lady Liberty facing forward with a torch and olive branch in hand, including multiple enhancements to more closely reflect Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ original design. In addition, the one-ounce coin has anti-counterfeiting variable reeding that was introduced in 2021.

The reverse design depicts a portrait of an eagle head in superb detail, which debuted alongside the program’s 35th anniversary in 2021. Artist Jennie Norris, who signs certification labels exclusively for NGC, created the reverse image. The NGC Jennie Norris Signature Label is available for NGC-certified American Gold Eagles through select retailers.

The US Mint recently released designs for special one-year-only changes to popular American coinage, which include special numismatic coins and medals in 2026 that will feature unique designs and enhancements to mark the occasion. Many of these coins will also feature the dual dates of “1776” and “2026,” reminiscent of the one-time changes made for the United States Bicentennial 50 years ago. Select coins will feature a Liberty Bell privy mark, including the 1776-2026-W Proof Gold Eagle.

For coins to qualify for the Early Releases and First Releases designations, NGC must receive submissions within the first 30 days of release. The coin DOES NOT need to be submitted in original mint packaging.

The following designations are available for those submitting their coins to NGC at the Baltimore Whitman Expo:

First Day - Baltimore designation:

Available for coins purchased on the first day of sales at the Baltimore Whitman Expo and submitted to NGC at the show on that same day. The submissions must be accompanied by the original Mint purchase receipt.

First Day of Issue designation:

Available for coins purchased on the first day of sales and submitted to NGC at the Baltimore Whitman Expo on the same day.

Baltimore Show Releases designation:

Available for coins purchased at the Baltimore Whitman Expo and submitted to NGC at the show. The submissions must be accompanied by the original Mint purchase receipt.

Coins received by NGC within the first 30 days of their release are eligible for NGC's popular Early Releases and First Releases designations. Learn more about Early Releases and First Releases here. For Early Releases / First Releases cutoff dates, click here.

Submission Instructions

• Submit the coins under the Modern grading tier or higher.
• These coins must be submitted on their own submission form. Each designation should be submitted on its own form.

The following designations are available for these coins:

Designation options	Fee	Directions
First Day - Baltimore	+$21	On the US submission form, enter First Day - Baltimore.
First Day of Issue	+$21	On the US submission form, enter First Day of Issue.
Baltimore Show Releases	+$18	On the US submission form, enter Baltimore Show Releases.
Early Releases	+$18	On the US submission form, select Early Releases under Box 7.
First Releases	+$18	On the US submission form, select First Releases under Box 7.
(No Releases designation)		By default

The following labels are available for these coins:

Label options	Fee	Directions
First Day of Issue #891	Included with fee for First Day - Baltimore and First Day of Issue designations	Request First Day of Issue #891 on your submission form.
America250™ US Flag #2830	+$8 per coin	Request America250™ US Flag #2830 on your submission form. (Early Releases and First Releases designations are available on this label for an additional $18 fee, if applicable.)
West Point Mint Gold Star #1238	+$8 per coin	Request West Point Gold Star #0391 on your submission form. (First Day - ANA, First Day of Issue, Savannah ANA Releases, Early Releases and First Releases designations are available on this label.)
Early Releases #378	Included with fee for Early Releases designation (+$18)	Select Early Releases and enter Early Releases #378 on your submission form.
First Releases #379	Included with fee for First Releases designation (+$18)	Select First Releases and enter First Releases #379 on your submission form.
NGC Standard Brown #377	Free	By Default. Enter Standard Brown Label #377 on your submission form.

Questions? Contact NGC Customer Service at service@NGCcoin.com or 1-855-472-3310.

Paid NGC Collector members can submit their coins directly to NGC. Not an NGC member? Paid memberships start at just $39/year. Join today.

Bulk Submissions

NGC’s First Day of Issue designation and labels are available for select bulk submissions only. To qualify for First Day of Issue, coins must be purchased within one day of the first day that a mint makes a new coin issue available for sale and must be received by NGC or an NGC-approved depository within one week of the release date. NGC will require that the submitter provide adequate evidence (including purchase receipts) to demonstrate the date when the coins were purchased.

For bulk submissions, contact SalesNGC@collectiblesgroup.com or 1-855-472-3310.