With bipartisan support and new leadership at the U.S. Mint, Congressman Aderholt’s landmark bill revives a century-old denomination to celebrate the nation’s Semiquincentennial.
The U.S. House of Representatives has unanimously passed Congressman Robert Aderholt’s bipartisan bill to authorize a new $2.50 commemorative coin honoring America’s 250th anniversary. The coin will revive a denomination not struck for circulation in nearly a century and feature an updated version of the historic 1926 Sesquicentennial design. Supported by Congress and advancing under new U.S. Mint leadership, the initiative aims to celebrate national unity while giving collectors and Americans alike a lasting tribute to the Semiquincentennial.
As a lifelong coin collector, I have learned that some moments in numismatic history feel bigger than metal. They feel like milestones. The recent unanimous passage of Congressman Robert Aderholt’s bill to authorize a new $2.50 coin in honor of America’s 250th anniversary is one of those moments.
For those of us who study and cherish American coinage, this announcement is nothing short of historic.
A Return of the $2.50 Coin — Nearly 100 Years Later
The U.S. House of Representatives has unanimously passed legislation that would create a new $2.50 legal tender coin to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Let that sink in.
The last time a $2.50 coin was struck for circulation was in 1929, when the beloved Indian Head Gold Quarter Eagle ended its run. Nearly a century has passed since Americans last saw this denomination in their pockets. For collectors, the revival of the $2.50 denomination is a powerful nod to our numismatic heritage.
The legislation — titled the Two Dollar and 50 Cent Coin for America’s 250th Act — authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to issue a collectible $2.50 commemorative coin and conduct a viability study for a potential circulating $2.50 coin for everyday use as the nation prepares to celebrate the Semiquincentennial in 2026.
This is not simply about minting a coin. It is about reconnecting Americans to a tangible piece of history.
A Design Rooted in America’s 150th Anniversary
One of the most exciting aspects of this bill is its historical continuity.
The collectible coin will feature the historic design originally issued for America’s 150th anniversary in 1926, updated to reflect the new 250-year milestone. In 1926, the 68th Congress authorized commemorative coinage to celebrate the Sesquicentennial. That design now serves as the foundation for this new tribute.
As Congressman Aderholt stated on the House floor, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence marks a turning point not just in American history, but in world history. By linking the 1926 design to the 2026 celebration, this coin bridges past, present, and future.
As collectors, we understand the symbolism of continuity. Coins are among the few objects that survive generations unchanged. They outlast governments, economic cycles, and even centuries. This updated design will honor the same ideals recognized in 1926 — liberty, democracy, and self-governance — while celebrating another century of American progress.
A Bipartisan Effort That Reflects National Unity
Another reason this legislation stands out is its overwhelming bipartisan support.
Congressman Robert Aderholt of Alabama introduced the bill alongside Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey. The measure passed unanimously in the House — a rare achievement in today’s political climate.
“As we mark 250 years of independence, it is important we find meaningful ways to bring Americans together,” Aderholt said. “This coin offers a lasting tribute to our shared heritage and a reminder that what unites us is far greater than what divides us.”
In his remarks, Congressman Aderholt emphasized that this coin is about more than metal — it is about celebration, pride, and patriotism. He recalled the excitement of the 1976 Bicentennial and expressed hope that this new coin will inspire the same national unity and enthusiasm as America approaches its 250th birthday.
"I still remember America's 200th birthday in 1976 when I was 10 years old, and the incredible excitement and national unity that came with it. That Bicentennial celebration was something special, and I hope this coin helps spur that same kind of celebration and patriotism across our country as we approach America's 250th anniversary. Americans from all walks of life should be able to carry a small reminder of our nation's greatness with them every day, celebrating our country jingling right there in their pockets." Aderholt said.
As a collector, I remember the Bicentennial coinage vividly. Those quarters, half dollars, and dollars were more than change — they were keepsakes. Many families saved them, passed them down, and associated them with a moment of shared national pride.
This new $2.50 coin aims to do exactly that.
A New Era at the U.S. Mint
Equally exciting is the broader momentum we are seeing from the United States Mint under the leadership of new U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis. With strong support from Congress and the Treasury, the Mint appears to be embracing ambitious and historically meaningful projects that energize collectors and engage the public.
The revival of a dormant denomination is bold. It signals creativity, confidence, and a willingness to invest in programs that celebrate American heritage in tangible form.
Under Director Hollis’s leadership, the Mint has an opportunity to make the Semiquincentennial one of the most dynamic eras in modern U.S. coinage. When Congress and Mint leadership work together — as they have here — collectors benefit, history is honored, and the American public gains something lasting.
Why This Matters to Collectors
From a numismatic perspective, the implications are enormous:
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A bipartisan initiative tied to America’s 250th anniversary
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The first $2.50 legal tender coin struck in nearly a century
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A historically rooted design tied directly to the 1926 Sesquicentennial
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A potential study into circulating $2.50 coinage for everyday use
This is the type of issue that future collectors will reference when discussing landmark modern commemoratives. If a circulating version is ultimately approved, it could fundamentally reshape how Americans interact with their coinage — carrying a piece of the Semiquincentennial in their pockets.
More Than a Coin
As Congressman Aderholt put it, Americans from all walks of life should be able to carry a small reminder of the nation’s greatness with them every day.
That sentiment captures why this project resonates so deeply with collectors like me.
Coins are democratic artifacts. They pass through every hand. They are touched, saved, gifted, and inherited. They connect generations. The 1926 commemorative coin connected Americans to the 150th anniversary of independence. The 1976 Bicentennial coinage connected families to a shared celebration. And now, the 2026 $2.50 coin promises to do the same.
Nearly 250 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the United States continues to mark its milestones not only in speeches and fireworks — but in metal.
And for those of us who love American coinage, there is no better way to celebrate history than by holding it in the palm of your hand.
