United States Semiquincentennial coins issued for America250 display the dual dates 1776–2026.
The first date points to the revolutionary founding year, while the second identifies the 250th-anniversary year. Together, the dates visually connect the nation’s origin with the modern commemoration.
Dual dating is a familiar commemorative technique. It lets a coin show both the historical starting point and the anniversary year without treating the issue date as the nation’s founding date. On semiquincentennial coins, the format also helps collectors identify the special 2026 program.
The dates should not be confused with 1787, the year the Constitution was drafted and signed, or 1789, when the new federal government began operating under it. America250’s central historical reference is the 1776 Declaration of Independence and the founding-era independence movement.