To commemorate the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026, circulating coins will feature exclusive designs, including a series of five Semiquincentennial quarters highlighting pivotal periods in American history. Released in sequence, these quarters will focus on key themes: the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, Abolitionism, Suffrage, and Civil Rights. With candidate designs for the series evaluated and approved, this article focuses on the selected designs for the Abolitionism quarter.
Designs for the 2026 quarters were reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) on Oct. 15, followed by the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) on Oct. 17.
The U.S. Mint’s narrative for the 2026 Abolitionism quarter theme states, in part: "Abolitionism encapsulates the paradox of America during slavery, when a nation proclaiming ideals of liberty, equality, and justice for all actively practiced the trade and enslavement of people.
"Obverse designs depict Frederick Douglass… Reverse designs are emblematic of the abolition of slavery in the United States of America."
A total of eight obverse and eleven reverse candidates were evaluated, with both panels agreeing on the same obverse design but suggesting different reverses. The chosen pairings are displayed in the topmost images, with the CCAC’s selections in the first row and the CFA’s in the second.
CCAC Design Recommendations
The CCAC’s recommended obverse, O-01, depicts a resolute Frederick Douglass in profile. His countenance, etched with the profound depth of his lived experiences, and his unyielding gaze, reflect the strength of his convictions and his relentless pursuit of justice.
Their chosen reverse, R-01, symbolizes the journey from enslavement to freedom through abolition. A shackled hand points down at the inscription "ABOLITIONISM," reflecting the cruel reality of slavery that the abolitionists confronted — an unflinching acknowledgment of its injustice and their commitment to eradicating it. Opposite, a hand breaking free of its shackles reaches upward, representing the end of slavery and the true embodiment of the inscription "LIBERTY" that circles it.
In a change, CCAC members suggested replacing the term "ABOLITIONISM" with the more widely recognized "ABOLITION."
CFA Design Recommendations
CFA members also selected obverse O-01, while recommending the removal of the circular line surrounding the portrait.
For the reverse, the CFA favored R-2A, which illustrates how civic action shattered the institution of slavery in the United States. The dynamic postures of the hands vividly convey the struggle for abolition, while the sunburst emerging from behind the broken links symbolizes the dawn of a new era of emancipation.
CFA members suggested consulting experts on the appropriateness of using "ABOLITIONISM" versus "ABOLITION."
Additionally, if the CCAC’s preferred reverse, R-01, is selected, they recommended removing the vertical line at the center of the composition.
U.S. Mint images and descriptions of all proposed 2026 Abolitionism quarter designs are provided below.
Obverse Candidate Designs for the 2026 Abolitionism Quarter
AQ-O-01, AQ-O-02, and AQ-O-02A depict a resolute Frederick Douglass in profile. His countenance, etched with the profound depth of his lived experiences, and his unyielding gaze, reflect the strength of his convictions and his relentless pursuit of justice. Reflective of his life’s work and of abolitionism, Douglass strived to hold the country accountable to its founding principles and tirelessly worked to extend their promise to all.
AQ-O-03 illustrates how Douglass ignited the abolitionist cause, transforming his pursuit of personal freedom into national emancipation. On the left, he is depicted as a young, enslaved boy, teaching himself to read by candlelight under threat of discovery. In the center, Douglass is pictured as a distinguished orator. The sun behind him casts light on the Capitol Building, mirroring the candlelit determination of his youth.
AQ-O-04 and AQ-O-04A depicts Frederick Douglass delivering a powerful speech, evoking one of his most famous, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" The image captures Douglass in motion, his posture and expression embodying both his strength as an orator and the moral force of his cause. In AQ-O-04, an enraptured audience is outlined in silhouette, representing all abolitionists whose collective labors have fueled this momentous social movement.
AQ-O-05 features Frederick Douglass as an elder statesman, his dignified yet weathered features a testament to his fight for abolition. He is depicted older, representing the hard-won progress toward freedom and inspiring future generations to continue the arduous yet essential fight for justice for all.
AQ-O-06 depicts a profile view of Frederick Douglass, mirroring Laura Gardin Fraser’s bust of George Washington on the American Women Quarters obverse. This parallel acknowledges Douglass as a founding father of a more just America, one who reaffirmed our founding principles through civic action to collectively move our nation forward.
Reverse Candidate Designs for the 2026 Abolitionism Quarter
AQ-R-01 symbolizes the journey from enslavement to freedom through abolition. A shackled hand points down at the inscription "ABOLITIONISM," reflecting the cruel reality of slavery that the abolitionists confronted — an unflinching acknowledgment of its injustice and their commitment to eradicating it. Opposite, a hand breaking free of its shackles reaches upward, representing the end of slavery and the true embodiment of the inscription "LIBERTY" that circles it.
AQ-R-02 and AQ-R-02A demonstrate how civic action shattered the institution of slavery in the United States. The dynamic postures of the hands vividly portray the struggle for abolition. The sunburst emerges from behind the broken links, symbolizing the dawn of this new era of emancipation.
AQ-R-03 and AQ-R-03A depict a man raising Liberty’s torch, symbolizing the founding ideals of the nation and asserting his right to the freedoms they represent. Others’ hands offer support, embodying the collective strength of the Abolitionist movement. In Design 03, his gaze is fixed on the Capitol Building, a monument to American governance. At its threshold, he demands justice – his hard-fought freedom codified into law, reflecting back at him a nation that upholds its promise of liberty for all.
AQ-R-04 captures abolitionism as a fierce battle. The shackle, large and ominous, carries the crushing weight of generations trapped in systemic oppression. Yet in this pivotal moment, we witness the triumph of the human spirit. The figure strains every muscle to resist, illustrating at once the tiring struggle for Abolitionism and the steadfast determination of those fighting for it.
AQ-R-05 is inspired by early depictions of the Liberty Bell. The Liberty Bell was adopted as a symbol of their cause by the Abolitionists in the 1830s, a deliberate connection to America’s foundational promise of freedom. A variation of its text is included as an inscription, "PROCLAIM LIBERTY UNTO ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE LAND," and is a reminder that the struggle for freedom was a struggle to realize the full meaning of liberty for all.
AQ-R-06 depicts a stylized fist, symbolizing the collective strength and shared purpose of those who fought for abolitionism. A broken chain encircles the design, representing the successful shattering of the American institution of slavery.
AQ-R-07, AQ-R-07A, and AQ-R-07B present a powerful allegory for the abolition of slavery in America. Human figures ascend stone stairs, representing the arduous climb from slavery to emancipation. The stairs bear inscriptions that form the moral foundation of this ascent and reflect our nation’s core principles: "ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL" (from the Declaration of Independence) and "THE PROGRESS OF HUMAN LIBERTY" (from one of Douglass’s speeches). The sun’s rays light their way, symbolizing the bright promise of true liberty for all.
AQ-R-02A for the Reverse.
Move On Dot Com.