On what date was the first 2026 Semiquincentennial dime and half dollar released?
Answer
January 5, 2026
The first 2026 Semiquincentennial dime and half dollar were released on January 5, 2026.
The release date came months before the July 4 anniversary, allowing collectors and the public to encounter the commemorative coinage during the anniversary year. The same date also marked the release of the Mayflower Compact quarter into circulation.
The 2026 dime carries the theme “Liberty over Tyranny,” with Liberty on the obverse and an eagle clutching arrows on the reverse. The half dollar uses the theme “Enduring Liberty,” featuring the Statue of Liberty and imagery of a torch being passed between generations.
These coins belong to the semiquincentennial circulating coin program, not merely to a private medal series. The program also includes five special quarters, while the 1776~2026 cent was produced for collector sets rather than ordinary circulation.