PREV ARTICLE
NEXT ARTICLE
FULL ISSUE
PREV FULL ISSUE
U.S. MINT SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL COIN LAUNCHAnother hot numismatic topic making the rounds of media this week was the announcement of the designs for circulating coins commemorating the U.S. semiquincentennial. First, here's a report on the launch ceremony in Philadelphia. Check out the photo gallery - coin show regulars Ben Franklin, George Washington, and Abe Lincoln were in attendance. -Editor 
New coins will bring a change to your pocket change in 2026. The United States Mint is set to roll out five new quarters and a dime to mark the nation's 250th anniversary. Officials unveiled the coins' designs at a ceremony Dec. 10 in the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, which is next door to a U.S. Mint facility. The U.S. Mint will make the coins at its facilities in Philadelphia and Denver. The first coins are to appear in January, but some are to debut later in the year. The ceremony was marked by speeches from dignitaries, including U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach and Kristie McNally, the U.S. Mint's acting director. 
Benjamin Franklin (Patrick McBride), George Washington (Curt Radabaugh), and Abraham Lincoln (Dennis Boggs) Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln — their modern-day impersonators, anyway — mingled with the crowd. Members of the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps provided a presentation of colors to launch the ceremony and a spirited performance near its conclusion. And at one point, an emcee made a doomed effort to lead the crowd in reciting a more formal term for the upcoming anniversary — semiquincentennial. The coin designs finally appeared, albeit briefly, during a 3½-minute video that closed the ceremony. Four U.S. presidents are to appear on newly designed quarters: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and James Madison. A fifth quarter is to feature a man and woman representing the pilgrims who came to America aboard the Mayflower in 1620. That coin salutes the Mayflower Compact, an agreement signed by the colonists that's considered a precursor to the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, according to the U.S. Mint. 
Semiquincentennial Dime 
Semiquincentennial Mayflower Compact Quarter 
Semiquincentennial Revolutionary War Quarter 
Semiquincentennial Declaration of Independence Quarter 
Semiquincentennial Constitution Quarter 
Semiquincentennial Gettysburg Address Quarter Wayne Pearson writes: "For the one design in the 2026 set of coins that I like-here is a version similar to black ruthenium with enameling. I think this idea might sell." 
Enameling and selling coins is perfectly legal, as is damaging them with protest or commercial slogans - you just shouldn't spend them again. Colorization via enameling has a long tradition, and buyers may be found for such items. -Editor
To read the complete article, see:
See also:
Wayne Homren, Editor The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org. To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com To subscribe go to: Subscribe All Rights Reserved. NBS Home Page Contact the NBS webmaster 
|