It’s said, the Apple computer complex in Cupertino, California has a locked, heavily guarded security area where only a few individuals are allowed. According to a reliable television news program, the ideas and secrets being developed there are beyond futuristic. It’s believed many of the ultra-advanced concepts are for implementation five to 10 years in the future. We can only dream of what they are concocting....
Planning for what’s to come is a good idea for any person, company or government. That’s doubly true when an upcoming event is particularly historic. For those occasions, collectibles always come out of the woodwork, as do hopes for quick profits.
The last occurrence of note in the US was half a century ago, in 1976 – our bi-centennial. At that time, everything came to a screeching halt. Plans were made for celebrations unlike any other. New York and Boston were transformed. France became involved harkening back to when they presented us with the Statue of Liberty at our centennial in 1876.
My personal favorite was a letter sent from Great Britain to then-President Gerald Ford. The message satirically suggested that, because the American people had enjoyed the country for fully two centuries, how about now returning it to the British? That was very clever.
Of course, the most memorable collectibles from 1976 were the bi-centennial quarters and half dollars struck at the US Mint. (A bi-centennial Eisenhower dollar was also released.) That was the first time the design on our circulating quarter had changed since 1932.
Equally visible and collected were the sheets of bi-centennial stamps snapped up by collectors and hopeful investors. Many believed the newly released patriotic stamps and souvenir sheets would soar in value. (Sadly, virtually none of the coins or stamps proved lucrative investments.)
In barely a year, the US will begin celebrating our “Semiquincentennial,” or 250 years of existence. Some may brush that off. The thing is, the United States is the longest-existing democracy in the history of the world. Something of that major distinction is worthy of celebration and, of course, a host of collectibles.
Both the Mint and Postal Service are laboring feverishly to create compelling coins, stamps and possibly even paper currency for next year’s big event. Remember, in 1976, the image on the reverse of the elusive two-dollar bill changed to show John Trumball’s painting of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It remains on it today.
The Mint has already offered a few hints as to what we might be seeing in our pocket change. Back in 1976, the public didn’t have much, if any, input into the layouts. (In 2003, a Citizen’s Coin Advisory Committee (CCAC) was created to suggest and review coin design plans.) Preliminary sketches for the 2026 coins indicate the thinking behind the offerings are quite…uh, broad.
Not surprisingly, multiple quarter and half dollar motifs include the Declaration of Independence, allegorical Lady Liberty, the Liberty Bell and other colonial/patriotic representations. Others seem to focus on issues, problems or social hurdles that have been overcome and already showcased.
Regardless of the fact we have had and continue to release countless quarter dollar coins with accomplishments such as the abolishing of slavery, women’s rights, school desegregation and more, some of the proposals depart from the crux of our Semiquincentennial.
A few proposed examples include coins showing women picketing for equal rights; a young black girl defiantly marching to school; abolitionist Frederick Douglas; chains surrounding a “Votes For Women” banner and more. All are worthy subjects that have already been featured on many previously released coins.
There’s also talk of a new dime. That would be something of note. We haven’t had a change on a circulating dime since 1946. Two proposals include profiles of women – one black and one white near the words, “In God We Trust.” On the reverse is a large soaring eagle above the huge words, “ONE DIME.” Each includes the dates 1776 – 2026. One of the versions also features the words, “Liberty Over Tyranny.”
There are sure to be many more ideas and considerations before the final “winners” are chosen. And, yes, there will be commemorative sets aplenty sold to collector/investors hoping for abundant profits. We’ll wait to see what’s in the queue.
In the meantime, it would be refreshing for the Mint and USPS to focus on our uniquely positive patriotic heritage rather than using the anniversary to again rehash negative discontinued social mores. Been there – done that. Just a collectible and collective thought.
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