Dual-dated Lincoln cents and Jefferson nickels have been recommended as a part of the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration in 2026, with circulating coins set to undergo redesign solely for that year.
Seven U.S. Mint proposed designs — four for the cent and three for the nickel — were reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) on Feb. 27 and by the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) on Feb. 15.
Both committees preferred the date range options of 1776 and 2026, separated by a tilde (~), over combinations of date(s) and privy mark. The proposed privy mark showcases “250” within an illustration of the Liberty Bell.
Of note, while other circulating coins will see redesigns in 2026 for both their obverses and reverses, the 1-cent and 5-cent coins will not, according to the U.S. Mint, “for various production reasons.”
Some members of the CCAC showed support for the addition of the privy mark, especially for the cent, while most considered the nickel’s design too busy with its inclusion. As for the CFA, their recommendation letter for the designs noted, in part:
"For both coins, the Commission members recommended Option 1, which would augment the minting year to provide the commemorative date range of 1776–2026. They commented that the simplicity of this modification would be appropriate for these small coins, while the other alternatives containing a Liberty Bell privy mark and the number ‘250’ would add excessive and illegible complexity. Acknowledging the intent to develop distinct designs for the two coins, they said this differentiation is already sufficiently achieved by the treatment of the word ‘Liberty’ — typeset on the one-cent coin, and in Thomas Jefferson’s cursive script on the five-cent coin."
In line with earlier discussions, for those who appreciate the privy mark, it is expected to appear on each of the “Best of the Mint” 2026 Semiquincentennial Gold Coins and Silver Medals.
Thumbs up to both designs.
I’ll be looking forward to those 2026 pennies.
I’m hoping for the new design to include the liberty Bell on the obverse with the Lincoln memorial and Monticello on the reverse
Two years away, but still looking forward to these 2026 coins. Mostly the Lincoln Cent.
ANOTHER gold Mercury, another gold Sai t, etc., boring. Privy whatever as with. The prior privy, and W state quarters, and even the 2008 minor coinage it will never see circulation. Kids will never see these spend money anymore. Completely new designs, my check all the fancy, and maybe terminating the penny after 2026? Know too many special interest.
How long have ppl called for the termination of the penny? 50 years? 70 years? Lol. Clearly its here to stay.
Thumbs up for the privy mark. Should be on all the 2026 coin designs.
These are disappointing, it’s not much of a change at all. Why not bring back the Indian sent for a year, or the Buffalo nickel? We’ve had the same tired designs of dead presidents for way too long. They say the cent is too small for a design change, yet the dime is going to be changed for this year?
I agree 100%! The “for production reasons” excuse seems entirely bogus.
I thought I was the only person tired of the ‘dead presidents’ on all of our circulating coinage. It seems odd to me that ‘americans’ are tearing down their statues all over the country, yet we refuse to remove their portraits from coins.
I agree. It’s a Centennial celebration. Come up with a Centennial design with a uniqueness of its own. The Indian head penny and Buffalo nickel are a good place to start, or design on coins 250 years ago.
It’s clean & simple. I do like the liberty bell between the years reminds as a kid & its a clean iconic American symbol that i wish we used more.