50 years ago, right now, the US was in the midst of gearing up for “Bi-Centennial Fever.” Those alive and aware back then will recall that frenzy was epic. Companies and people everyone were prepping for parties, events, celebrations, trinkets, souvenirs and collectibles en masse. Store shelves would soon be filled for the 1976 memorials – everything from miniature Liberty Bells to Paul Revere tri-corner hats. Where are all those keepsakes now?....
As I’ve written before, the USPS and US Mint were cranking out new stamps, coins and currency. It’s still conjecture but they may be again. So far, both institutions as well as the Bureau of Engraving and Printing has done a masterful job of keeping what they are working on under wraps.
Understandably, our pending semiquincentennial anniversary of 250 years is not only a cause for festivities, it marks the longest existence of an enduring democracy in history. (For the record, the Roman Empire was not a democracy. It was autocratic and ruled by an emperor.)
Though the current climate doesn’t come close to resembling the almost carnival-like atmosphere of 1976, in mere months, we can expect a goodly number of collectibles to be unleashed. The few hints the US Mint has offered suggest that what’s old is definitely new again.
Case in point, for 2026, the Mint wanted to highlight the concept of “Liberty” on a new gold coin. For it, the Mint selected a design used way back in 1916 known as the “Standing Liberty.” It was both beautiful and controversial. You see, back then, modesty was the rule of the day. Yet, the allegorical image of female “Liberty” on the new coin showed her holding a shield and an olive branch while wearing a draped robe with her right breast clearly bared. Yikes.
Immediately, cries of the coin being inappropriate were rampant. Plenty of folks, from religious leaders to conservative women’s groups, decried the coin. (Not surprisingly, young boys thought it was the greatest thing since the introduction of the ice cream cone in 1904.)
There were no mobs or crowds with pitchforks and torches protesting the coin. Instead, there were cutting comments such as one appearing in an Iowa paper’s editorial section stating, “We can see no use in the government parading such pieces of art before the public." Even the Wall Street Journal noted, “Liberty as attired on the new quarter just draws the line at license.”
For collectors, the low mintage of the new quarter was most noted. People enjoying the image and/or collectors hoarding the coins sent prices high. By 1917, the Mint had gotten the message from the prudent portion of the population. The quarters from 1917 onward showed Lady Liberty’s breast covered with a “chain mail” breast plate.
Also, on the 1916 version, the date was engraved onto the pedestal on which she stands. Because those date numbers were raised, the digits quickly wore off in regular circulation and couldn’t be seen. Quarters from 1917 onward had the date recessed into the pedestal protecting them from that wear.
The impressive rise in value of the 1916 Standing Liberty quarter is due to its very low mintage of only 52,000. Today, price guides value the quarter in lousy to so-so condition at $3,500. In pristine, uncirculated shape expect to pay over $40,000.
Clearly, times, values and morals have changed. The Mint and people in general either have lessened scruples or become far more immune to any such image. So much so, the aforementioned new quarter-ounce gold coin celebrating our 250th anniversary features the exact portrait of Lady Liberty in all her glory with nothing covering her breast. In fact, her exposed breast is more prominent than ever. The quarter-ounce gold coin also has a small privy mark of “250” inside a small bell on the front.
On the reverse is the original soaring eagle below the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA E PLURIBUS UNUM” and above, “QUARTER DOLLAR.”
Although the wording “quarter dollar” is on the coin, being struck from gold it is naturally worth substantially more. As of this writing, quantities to be issued are currently unknown as is the price. My guess is that, given the coin is pure gold, a cost of something just north of $1,100 is probable. At the same time, the Mint will be striking a new 2026 silver dollar coin. I’ll keep you posted about that as soon as information is available.
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