The U.S. Mint will produce 250,000 Semiquincentennial 2026 Declaration of Independence Quarters featuring a special “July 4th” privy mark, the agency announced June 23, 2026. These limited-edition July 4th limited edition quarters will be placed randomly into circulation and made available to banks nationwide in time for the Fourth of July.
The quarters, which bear no mint mark, will be mixed in with standard 2026 Declaration of Independence Quarters. Mint Director Paul Hollis said in the announcement: “This is more than a coin; it’s a defining moment in our nation’s story. We hope Americans enjoy the search for these iconic quarters as they’re meant to be shared, saved, and remembered as part of this historic anniversary.”
A privy mark is a small symbol added to a coin’s design that historically was used to indicate the mint of origin and deter counterfeiting, according to numismatic sources. The July 4th privy mark on these quarters makes them instantly identifiable to collectors and the public searching through pocket change.
Limited-Edition Quarters and Collector Interest
Limited-edition quarters with special markings have a precedent for attracting collector attention. The 2019 and 2020 West Point Mint quarters—marked with a “W”—became highly sought after, with coins found in circulation selling for $20 to $25, and graded examples commanding significantly higher prices. That success demonstrates the appeal of rare, accessible coins that can be discovered in everyday transactions.
The 250,000 July 4th quarters represent a tiny fraction of total 2026 Declaration of Independence Quarter production, making them genuinely scarce. With production capped at that number, collectors will be competing to find these coins as they enter circulation through the banking system.
The announcement is part of the broader 2026 Semiquincentennial Coin Program, which celebrates America’s 250th anniversary with special designs on quarters, dimes, and other circulating coins. The Declaration of Independence Quarter itself, released into circulation on June 1, 2026, features the historic document and Independence Hall on its reverse.
Sources
- U.S. Mint — Official press release announcing the 250,000 July 4th privy mark quarters, June 23, 2026
- GOVMINT — Definition and history of privy marks on U.S. coins
- Multiple numismatic sources — Documented collector value of 2019-2020 W quarters in circulation
