WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Mint will place 250,000 special-edition quarters into circulation next year to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary, creating a limited-release collectible that Americans may encounter in everyday transactions.
The Semiquincentennial 2026 Declaration of Independence Quarters will feature a “July 4th” privy mark and will be distributed randomly alongside standard 2026 quarters, the Mint said.
The coins will carry no mint mark and are scheduled to enter circulation through banks and financial institutions nationwide in time for Independence Day celebrations in 2026.
The release is part of broader federal efforts to commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary, also known as the semiquincentennial, which marks the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
“This is more than a coin; it’s a defining moment in our nation’s story,” Mint Director Paul Hollis said in a statement. “We hope Americans enjoy the search for these iconic quarters as they’re meant to be shared, saved, and remembered as part of this historic anniversary.”
By limiting production to 250,000 pieces and placing them into general circulation rather than selling them directly to collectors, the Mint is creating a nationwide treasure hunt tied to the anniversary observance.
The special quarters will bear the same Declaration of Independence design as other 2026 circulating quarters but will be distinguished by the commemorative “July 4th” privy mark, making them among the rarest circulating quarters released by the Mint in recent years.
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