Top Designs for 2026 Quarter Dollars Celebrating U.S. History

The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) recently met to review several proposed designs for the 2026 quarter dollars, which will commemorate the United States’ 250th anniversary. These designs reflect key moments in the nation’s history, including the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, Abolitionism, Suffrage, and Civil Rights. Each design, representing significant historical milestones, aims to highlight the values and principles that have shaped the country. In this article, we’ll break down the committee’s recommended designs for each coin, discussing the themes and artistic choices behind them.

Historical Event	Obverse Design	Reverse Design	Significance
Declaration of Independence	Liberty holding a spark of enlightenment, crowned with oak leaves	Liberty Bell ringing in Independence Hall	Commemorates the values and principles embedded in the Declaration of Independence.
U.S. Constitution	Liberty holding the Constitution and a torch, symbolizing enlightenment	Sunrise detail from George Washington’s chair	Marks the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, a pivotal moment in defining the U.S. government.
Abolitionism	Profile of Frederick Douglass with a resolute expression	Shackled hand pointing downward, free hand reaching upwards	Reflects the fight against slavery and the triumph of abolition.
Suffrage	Suffragist flanked by fellow advocates in silhouette	Rosette-style button with “Votes for Women”	Honors the women’s suffrage movement and the passing of the 19th Amendment.
Civil Rights	Ruby Bridges as a 6-year-old girl holding schoolbooks	Americans marching arm-in-arm, representing unity and determination	Represents the Civil Rights Movement, including the efforts of Ruby Bridges and the Selma march.

2026 Quarter Dollar Designs Reviewed by CCAC

1. Declaration of Independence Quarter

The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in American history, symbolizing the nation’s commitment to liberty and justice. The designs for this coin focused on these ideals.

• Obverse Design: The recommended obverse shows Liberty holding a “spark of enlightenment,” symbolizing the core principles of the Declaration. Oak leaves adorn her hair, representing strength and resilience.
• Reverse Design: The reverse design features the Liberty Bell in Independence Hall, with its iconic crack visible. The crack serves as a reminder of the fragility of the young nation during its founding years. While the bell was not rung at the moment of the Declaration, it remains a powerful symbol of freedom.

2. U.S. Constitution Quarter

The U.S. Constitution laid the framework for American governance, establishing the executive, judicial, and legislative branches. The quarter designs for this theme reflect the document’s significance.

• Obverse Design: The obverse depicts Liberty walking confidently toward the future, carrying a torch (symbolizing enlightenment) and the U.S. Constitution. She is adorned with oak leaves and a shield, representing strength and protection.
• Reverse Design: The reverse includes a depiction of the sunrise detail from the chair George Washington used during the Constitutional Convention of 1787. The rising sun represents the birth of a new nation.

3. Abolitionism Quarter

Abolitionism acknowledges the paradox in America’s history, where the country stood for liberty while practicing slavery. The designs on this quarter focus on the abolition of slavery and key figures like Frederick Douglass.

• Obverse Design: The obverse features a powerful profile of Frederick Douglass, his face etched with determination and strength, symbolizing his fight against injustice.
• Reverse Design: The reverse depicts two hands: one shackled and pointing downward, representing the oppression of slavery, and another breaking free of chains, symbolizing the triumph of freedom. The CCAC recommended changing the word “Abolitionism” to the more familiar term “Abolition.”

4. Suffrage Quarter

The Suffrage quarter celebrates the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote in 1920, and the larger movement that fought for voting rights.

• Obverse Design: The obverse shows a suffragist alongside other advocates in silhouette, representing the many individuals who contributed to the movement.
• Reverse Design: The reverse features a rosette-style button with the phrase “VOTES FOR WOMEN,” a common symbol of the suffrage movement. The committee recommended adjusting the wording inside the rosette to avoid redundancy with the slogan on the obverse.

5. Civil Rights Quarter

The Civil Rights quarter honors key moments and figures in the fight for equality, focusing particularly on Ruby Bridges’ historic walk to integrate a New Orleans school.

• Obverse Design: Ruby Bridges is depicted on the obverse, holding her schoolbooks and looking determined. The design captures her innocence and courage as a symbol of the larger Civil Rights Movement.
• Reverse Design: The reverse portrays a group of diverse Americans marching arm-in-arm, representing the famous Selma to Montgomery marches. The inscription “WE SHALL OVERCOME” reflects the enduring struggle for equality and justice.

Conclusion

The CCAC’s review of the 2026 quarter dollar designs highlights the nation’s foundational principles and pivotal moments in history. From the Declaration of Independence to the Civil Rights Movement, these coins are set to commemorate America’s journey over the past 250 years. The artistic depictions of Liberty, key figures like Frederick Douglass and Ruby Bridges, and significant symbols such as the Liberty Bell and the suffragists’ button all serve to remind us of the values and ideals that continue to shape the United States. These coins are not just pieces of currency but also a reflection of the nation’s enduring commitment to liberty, equality, and justice for all.

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