In the early 1960s, episodes of the cartoon Tooter Turtle and Mr. Wizard aired on TV in the afternoons. They always featured Tooter visiting his friend Mr. Wizard. In quests of curiosity, Mr. Wizard would magically transport Tooter Turtle back in time to visit bygone days of mostly famous places and people. Invariably, Tooter would get into life-threatening trouble resulting in his running and yelling, “Help me Mr. Wizard!” Mr. Wizard would then bring Tooter back in the nick of time.
Like Tooter, people again seem to want to turn the clocks back to when things were simpler (and cheaper). Take clocks themselves. A mere 18 years ago, in 2007, when the iPhone was introduced, young people quickly derided anyone wearing a wristwatch contending all needed info was on their smart phones. So, wearing a watch was ridiculed. That continued until 2015, when the iWatch came out. Young cynics immediately reversed course. Wearing a wristwatch again became fashionable if not mandatory.
Simultaneously, cell phones became ubiquitous. They’re everywhere. Evidently too much so. Last week, educators in many schools noticed how student depression and distraction had soared since the advent of and permission to use cell phones in school. Now, schools across the country are returning to the early 2000s by banning phones and prohibiting any student use during the school day.
How about credit cards? Beginning in the 1970s, use of the cards ramped up – then exploded. Their convenience led stores to not only embrace them but even issue cards of their own. The use of cash dwindled. But wait. Now, in 2025, stores have begun quietly adding three- to five-percent to charges to cover the cost the card companies levy on them.
This comes on the heels of sinking wages, rising unemployment and “tip fatigue” of customers shamed into paying substantial gratuities on top of the cost of a simple service. Consequently, the good old days of cash are looking better. Once thought to be a doomed medium of the past, cash is again becoming king-ish. The old may well be “new” again.
With our looming US semiquincentennial (250th anniversary in 2026), there just may be shades of that same trend. Or not. We simply don’t know. Unlike in 1975, when unbridled celebrations and events were unveiled for our 1976 bicentennial, the government, specifically the US Postal Service and US Mint, are keeping fairly mum about what’s in the works. So too for cities such as New York and Boston – each of which threw massive parties and fireworks celebrations in 1976.
As I’ve said, the collectible stamps, coins and currency issued then were impressive. Collectors still marvel at the famous bicentennial quarter featuring the first alteration of the coin since introduced in 1932. When issued in 1932, the Washington quarter was intended as a one-year-only tribute to celebrate the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. Yet, it proved so popular, we still have and use them today. (BTW, George’s 300th birthday is just seven years away.)
What little has been revealed by the US Mint are rumblings of a temporarily modified quarter for our 250th. Artists at the Mint have been playing with various selections.
Some possibilities are curious such as quarters recognizing women’s rights, civil rights for African Americans, and the abolition of slavery. All are justifiable topics though none really have anything to do with celebrating our 250 years. Additionally, each of those subjects has already been featured on recent commemorative coins.
An alternate option being explored is again dialing the clock back by returning to an allegorical image of Lady Liberty as we had on coins dating to the late 1700s. In those early versions, Liberty was stoic, often a scowling woman of fortitude and resolve. One of the variations being considered for the 2026 quarter features her much like that in stride wearing a flowing robe holding a torch and a scroll. A friendlier incarnation shows her in a far more gentle and introspective light peering at a starlight object.
There’s also talk of redesigned dimes and nickels, as well as the possibility of a revised Kennedy half dollar. To date, it’s all conjecture. As for a change to our paper money, the only confirmed modification is for the $10 bill to contain a raised tactile feature helping the visually impaired.
Whatever the options, someone best get moving. 2026 is barely three months away. You gotta hope solid plans for collectibles and celebrations are close to finalization. If not, anticipatory manufacturers and retailers will soon be yelling for help from Mr. Wizard.
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