Memorial district depicting a pilgrim.
Source: US Mint
The U.S. Mint on Wednesday unveiled special quarter dollar coin designs commemorating America’s 250th birthday that feature pilgrims and former presidents rather than previously circulated civil rights themes.
Designs considered ahead of next year’s anniversary included those focused on abolitionist Frederick Douglass and images depicting suffragettes with “Votes for Women” banners. Also in the running were several who featured Ruby Bridges, the first black student to integrate her school.
Instead, the spotlight is on the Mint’s five final designs for the 25 cent coin:
- Pilgrims and the Mayflower
- George Washington and the Revolutionary War
- Thomas Jefferson and the Liberty Bell
- James Madison and Independence Hall
- Abraham Lincoln and a quote from the Gettysburg Address
Acting Mint Director Kristie McNally said in a press release that the selected designs “represent the story of America’s journey toward a ‘more perfect union’ and celebrate America’s defining ideals of freedom.”
“We hope to give every American the opportunity to hold our country’s storied 250-year history in their hands,” said McNally.
Wednesday’s unveiling follows several high-profile moves surrounding U.S. coinage in recent months.
The U.S. Mint minted its last penny in November after more than 230 years of producing them, citing rising production costs and a decline in physical cash consumption due to the rise of electronic payment options.
U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach confirmed in October that the Treasury Department was considering minting a $1 coin featuring President Donald Trump on both sides to mark the 250th anniversary. The reverse of the coin would feature images similar to those of Trump after the assassination attempt against him last year.
A Treasury Department spokesperson told CNBC in October that the final design for a $1 coin had not yet been finalized. On Thursday, the Mint’s list of candidates included three designs for the “heads” side, all with Trump motifs.
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