The Declaration of Independence quarter, the third of five redesigned quarters for 2026, began entering circulation today as part of the U.S. Mint’s Semiquincentennial coinage program.
Featuring Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration and the nation’s third president, the coin continues the series marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. Each quarter features a one-year-only design and carries the dual date 1776 ~ 2026.
The five-quarter lineup includes:
- Mayflower Compact (entered circulation Jan. 5)
- Revolutionary War (entered circulation March 23)
- Declaration of Independence (entered circulation June 1)
- U.S. Constitution
- Gettysburg Address
All five designs are being issued only in 2026, with each released into circulation sequentially.
Jefferson appears on the obverse (heads) of the 2026 Declaration of Independence quarter, along with inscriptions E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST, and 1776 ~ 2026.
Designed by Benjamin Sowards and sculpted by John McGraw, the reverse (tails) depicts the Liberty Bell in motion. While it is unclear whether the bell sounded in July 1776, it was often rung to gather people and share an announcement, or a declaration. The Bell’s crack is visible, echoing the fragility of a young nation at its founding. Inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, QUARTER DOLLAR, and THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
Beyond finding them in circulation, collectors will be able to buy circulating-quality Declaration of Independence quarters struck at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints beginning Tuesday, June 16, through catalog.usmint.gov. The Mint will offer three product options: a $56 two-roll set, a Philadelphia 100-coin bag and a Denver 100-coin bag, with each bag priced at $63.
Rolls and bags for the first two 2026 Semiquincentennial quarters moved quickly, with Mayflower Compact and Revolutionary War products becoming unavailable soon after their releases.
Additional Semiquincentennial circulating coins for 2026 include a redesigned dime without Franklin D. Roosevelt’s portrait and a redesigned half dollar without John F. Kennedy’s portrait, along with other denominations featuring dual-dated or commemorative elements tied to the anniversary.
Images and background information on all five 2026 quarter designs are available in CoinNews‘ overview of the 1776–2026 semiquincentennial circulating coinage.
