In 2026, as part of the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration, unique, one-year-only designs will be introduced across circulating coins. For the dime, this includes the return of a traditional Liberty depiction for the first time in 80 years. Proposed designs for this coin have now been reviewed and recommended.
In total, thirteen obverse and eight reverse candidates were examined, with reviews conducted by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) on Oct. 16 and the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) on Oct. 17.
"The 2026 dime’s theme is ‘Liberty over Tyranny’ and explores our revolutionary era that set the stage for the next 250 years of American history," according to the Mint’s narrative for the design portfolio. "In combination with the half dollar, the dime will bookend the five Semiquincentennial quarter dollars by making further connections to the aspirations and ideals expressed in America’s founding."
In the end, the CCAC and CFA recommended different obverse designs but agreed on key elements for the reverse. Their selected pairings are displayed in the topmost images, with the CCAC’s in the first row and the CFA’s in the second.
CCAC’s Recommended Designs for the 2026 Dime
The CCAC’s recommended obverse, O-03, depicts a determined Liberty with the winds of revolution wafting through her hair. With steadfast resolve, she confronts the tyranny of the British monarchy. Her Liberty cap, adorned with stars and stripes, symbolizes the burgeoning nation and references early American coinage. Their chosen reverse, R-03A, portrays an eagle in flight carrying arrows in its talons, representing the American Revolution and the colonists’ fight for independence. For this design, CCAC members suggested adjusting the eagle’s wings to a more naturally straight flight position.
CFA’s Recommended Designs for the 2026 Dime
The CFA’s selected obverse, O-01A, presents Liberty in a style inspired by early American coinage, with laurel in her hair to symbolize victory over tyranny. They suggested exploring the reversal of the profile to face rightward, provided this adjustment does not overlap with the "L" in "LIBERTY." Their recommended reverse, R-03, matches the design chosen by the CCAC but omits the inscription "LIBERTY OVER TYRANNY." The CFA commended the simplicity of this design, noting its suitability for the dime’s small scale.
U.S. Mint images and descriptions of all proposed 2026 Semiquincentennial dime designs are provided below.
Obverse Candidate Designs for the Semiquincentennial Dime
DIME-O-01 and DIME-O-01A depict Liberty in a style inspired by early American coinage. In DIME-O-01 Liberty wears a coronet bearing the inscription "250 YEARS" to mark the nation’s Semiquincentennial. DIME-O-01A features Liberty with laurel in her hair, representing victory over tyranny.
DIME-O-02 and DIME-O-02A feature Liberty leaning forward with intensity and purpose in her battle against tyranny. The adornment in her hair is a nod to the decorative ribbons on revolutionary-era tricorn hats, while the elm leaves and seed pods reference the Liberty Tree in colonial Boston.
DIME-O-03, DIME-O-03A, and DIME-O-03B feature a determined Liberty as the winds of revolution waft through her hair. With steadfast resolve, she faces the tyranny of the British monarchy. In DIME-O-03, her Liberty cap bears stars and stripes, at once a symbol of our burgeoning nation and a reference to early American coinage. In DIME-O-03A a crown of laurel symbolizes victory, while DIME-O-03B combines the Liberty cap and the laurel.
DIME-O-04 and DIME-O-04A portray Liberty engaging the viewer, hands extended forward as if requesting consideration of the inscription "LIBERTY." In DIME-O-04A, the addition of the billowing fabric of Liberty’s dress is a nod to the dynamism of the revolution and America’s momentous shift from monarchy to democratic republic.
DIME-O-05 and DIME-O-05A feature a profile of Liberty whose flowing hair is a callback to early American coinage. Stars and laurel arc around her head.
DIME-O-06 and DIME-O-06A depict Liberty facing a rising sun, representing our new nation.
Reverse Candidate Designs for the Semiquincentennial Dime
DIME-R-01 and DIME-R-01A depict Liberty’s torch of enlightenment lighting the way to freedom from tyrannical rule. The inner flame represents the spark that ignited the colonists’ quest for liberty. DIME-R-01 features thirteen stars representing the original colonies.
DIME-R-02 and DIME-R-02A depict an American eagle in flight, its wings beating powerfully as it grasps a banner. The eagle’s head and wings stretch forward, symbolic of our determination for sovereignty. In DIME-R-02, the eagle holds a banner commemorating the Semiquincentenial with the inscription "250 YEARS." In DIME-R-02A, the banner reads, "ONE DIME."
DIME-R-03 and DIME-R-03A portray an eagle in flight carrying arrows in its talons, representing of the American Revolution and the colonists’ fight for independence. DIME-R-03A features the inscription, "LIBERTY OVER TYRANNY."
DIME-R-04 and DIME-R-04A depict the hand of Liberty raising her torch formed from the inscription, "E PLURIBUS UNUM," symbolizing the creation of a single new nation from the thirteen colonies. In DIME-R-04, the torch burns through the bonds of tyranny. DIME-R-04A features thirteen stars representing the original colonies.
