Which federal law authorized special circulating coins for America’s 250th anniversary?

The Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 authorized special circulating coins for America’s 250th anniversary.

The law permitted redesigned United States coins for the semiquincentennial period, including special issues connected with the 250th anniversary of American independence. It also authorized the American Women Quarters Program and other planned circulating commemorative programs.

Representative Barbara Lee of California introduced the bill on March 27, 2020. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate ultimately supported it unanimously, and President Donald Trump signed it into law in 2021.

A common mix-up is confusing the authorization law with the coin program itself. The law created the authority for the program; the United States Mint later developed individual designs and production plans. The 2026 program includes special quarters, a dime, a half dollar, and a one-dollar coin, alongside regular cents and nickels.