Commems Collection Classic: Quick Bits 155 - American Independence Milestones

In 2026, the United States ("US") Mint will be issuing a myriad of coins and medals to mark the 250th Anniversary of American Independence. Before we get too deep into 2026, I thought it would be good to take a quick survey of past US Congress/US Mint efforts regarding major independence anniversaries.

Note: This post is meant to be a quick survey, not an exhaustive list of Mint-produced coins and medals for American Independence anniversaries. Please forgive me if you don't see one of your favorites herein.

1876 Centennial

While coins for the Centennial were considered, none were actually struck for collectors or circulation. To explore such coin proposals, see:

- What If? 1876 Centennial Dollar

OR

- What If? 1876 Centennial Coinage

The US Government-backed Centennial Exposition was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from May 10 to November 10, 1876 (it was closed on Sundays).

The Mint struck multiple commemorative/souvenir medals in various compositions and sizes. Here's one of the "coin size" pieces:

1876 Independence Centennial Exposition Souvenir Medal by US Mint


For more on the Centennial Exposition and the medal shown, see:

- 1876 Centennial Exposition


1926 Sesqui-Centennial

To financially support the Sesquicentennial Exhibition Association and its staging of the Sesquicentennial Exhibition, the US Congress authorized the striking of a Gold Quarter Eagle and a Silver Half Dollar that the Association could buy at face value, but sell at a premium.

1926 Independence Sesqui-Centennial Quarter Eagle




1926 Independence Sesqui-Centennial Half Dollar


I've posted about the 1926 American Independence coins multiple times, you can find the stories via: Commems Collection - US Classic Commemoratives

The Mint also struck a series of commemorative/souvenir medals for the Exposition (in several compositions). Here's an example of the Copper-Nickel piece:



For more about the medal, see:

- 1926 American Independence Sesquicentennial - Official Medal


1976 Bicentennial

Likely the most well-known of the coins struck to celebrate American Independence are the three denominations (Quarter Dollar, Half Dollar and Dollar) struck in 1975 and 1976 for the US Bicentennial. Versions were struck for Circulation, as well as Collectors. Collector versions were available in Copper-Nickel ("CuNi") Clad and Silver; Circulation examples were CuNi) Clad.

Here's my set of Clad Layer Missing Bicentennial coins:

US Bicentennial Quarter Dollar


US Bicentennial Half Dollar


US Bicentennial Dollar


For more on these error coins, see:

- 1976 Bicentennial Clad Layer Errors

I've posted a few other Bicentennial coin and coin-related stories here on CCF, you can find them via: Commems Collection - US Modern Commemoratives

The US Mint also struck a series of commemorative medals for the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration (ARBA). Here are a couple of stories on these pieces:

- US Mint ARBA Medals - Part I

- 1976 ARBC / ARBA National Medals

You can also check out my What If? series for proposed Bicentennial coins.


Happy Semiquincentennial - Let the buying begin!