On Monday, January 5th, a coin minted to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States began circulation. The U.S. Mint announced this news on social media on that day.
The coin, named the “Mayflower Compact,” is the first of five new 25-cent commemorative coins planned for release in 2026. It features two Puritan pilgrims, a man and a woman, with the motto “E Pluribus Unum” from the U.S. national emblem on the top banner.
The other four 25-cent coins planned for circulation include the American Revolutionary War commemorative coin, the “Declaration of Independence” commemorative coin, the “U.S. Constitution” commemorative coin, and the “Gettysburg Address” commemorative coin.
The American Revolutionary War commemorative coin features a portrait of George Washington on the obverse and a portrait of a Continental Army soldier at Valley Forge on the reverse, with the inscription “American Revolutionary War.” The “Declaration of Independence” commemorative coin features a profile portrait of Thomas Jefferson on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse. The “U.S. Constitution” commemorative coin features a portrait of James Madison on the obverse, while the “Gettysburg Address” commemorative coin displays Abraham Lincoln’s portrait on the obverse and his clasped hands with the inscription “A New Nation Conceived in Liberty” on the reverse.
In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the U.S. Mint will also mint other coins, including a 10-cent coin featuring the Statue of Liberty, a 5-cent coin with a portrait of Thomas Jefferson and the inscription “1776-2026,” a half-dollar coin with the Statue of Liberty, and a one-cent coin with the “1776-2026” inscription.
These special commemorative coins were approved for issuance as early as 2021, with the coin designs officially announced by the Mint on December 11, 2025.
Kristie McNally, Acting Director of the U.S. Mint, expressed in a press release that these designs “depict America’s journey towards ‘a more perfect union,’ celebrating the fundamental ideals of American freedom.”
McNally further stated, “Through the issuance of commemorative coins, we hope to provide every American with the opportunity to hold in their hands the illustrious 250-year history of our country, thereby connecting Americans together.”
It is currently unclear when the remaining coins will enter circulation, but they are expected to all be issued before the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
These coins can be purchased directly on the U.S. Mint’s website.
In October of last year, the Treasury Department revealed a design sketch for a one-dollar commemorative coin featuring the portrait of President Trump to commemorate the signing of the “Declaration of Independence” and the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. This move sparked controversy and it remains uncertain whether the design will ultimately be selected.
In accordance with the 2020 Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act, the Treasury Department has the authority to issue one-dollar coins throughout 2026 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
(Note: This article referenced reporting from “USA Today.”)