1776–2026 Constitution Quarter Rolls and Bags: The United States Mint has added another entry to its yearlong celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday, releasing the 1776–2026 U.S. Constitution Quarter today in rolls and bags. This marks the fourth of five one-year-only quarter designs the Mint is issuing throughout 2026 as part of the Semiquincentennial commemorative program, and collectors and pocket-change hunters alike are already taking notice.
Struck at both the Philadelphia and Denver facilities, the new circulating-quality quarters are available directly from the Mint in 100-coin bags and two-roll sets, with sales opening at noon ET. Given how quickly the Mint’s branded rolls and bags for the year’s first three quarter releases disappeared from inventory, buyers hoping to secure this design in original Mint packaging will want to move fast. For those who prefer to let the coin come to them naturally, it’s already begun entering general circulation, with shipments to Federal Reserve Banks starting on August 10.
The Constitution Quarter honors James Madison and Independence Hall, paying tribute to the document that established the framework of American government. It’s a fitting addition to a broader redesign effort touching nearly every denomination of circulating U.S. coinage this year the cent and nickel retain their familiar imagery but now carry a dual 1776–2026 date, while the dime, all five quarters, and the half dollar feature entirely new, one-year-only designs.
Coin Specifications at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Quarter Dollar |
| Design Theme | U.S. Constitution (Semiquincentennial Series) |
| Obverse Subject | James Madison |
| Reverse Subject | Independence Hall |
| Composition | 8.33% nickel, balance copper |
| Weight | 5.670 grams |
| Diameter | 0.955 inch (24.26 mm) |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Mint Marks | P (Philadelphia), D (Denver) |
| Privy Mark | None |
| Release Date | August 26, 2026 |
| Two-Roll Set Price | $56 (80 coins total — 40 from each mint) |
| 100-Coin Bag Price | $63 (single mint) |
| Household Order Limit | 2 per product for the first 26 hours |
| Obverse Designer/Sculptor | Joel Iskowitz (design); Don Everhart (sculpt) |
| Reverse Designer/Sculptor | Donna Weaver (design); Phebe Hemphill (sculpt) |
How to Order: Buying Process, Limits, and Timing
Anyone hoping to add the Constitution Quarter to their collection in original Mint packaging should plan around a few key details:
- Sales window: Ordering opened at 12:00 p.m. ET on the release date, August 26, 2026, through the U.S. Mint’s online catalog.
- Product formats: Buyers can choose between a 100-coin bag sourced from a single mint facility (Philadelphia or Denver) or a two-roll set that combines 40 coins from each mint for a total of 80 coins.
- Pricing: The two-roll set carries a price of $56, while the 100-coin bag is priced at $63.
- Purchase limits: To give as many collectors as possible a fair shot at securing coins, the Mint has capped orders at two units per product, per household, for the first 26 hours after launch. This limit may lift after that window closes, depending on remaining inventory.
- Expect fast sell-outs: Based on the pattern set by the year’s first three Semiquincentennial quarters all of which sold out of Mint-branded rolls and bags collectors serious about obtaining the Constitution Quarter directly from the Mint should order as close to the noon ET launch as possible.
- An alternative route: Collectors who miss the online sale, or who simply want circulated examples for a type set, can also search bank-wrapped rolls or pocket change, since the coins are actively being distributed through Federal Reserve Banks as of mid-August.
Historical Background of the 2026 Semiquincentennial Quarter Series
The entire five-coin quarter program stems from the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-330), which directed the Mint to issue five distinct one-year-only quarter reverse designs during 2026 to mark 250 years of American independence. Each coin in the series spotlights a different milestone in the nation’s founding story.
1. Mayflower Compact Quarter (Released February 5, 2026)
The series opened with a tribute to the Mayflower Compact, the 1620 agreement signed by Pilgrim settlers aboard the Mayflower before they came ashore at present-day Massachusetts. Often cited as an early seed of American self-governance, the compact established a system of rule by consent among the colonists, laying informal groundwork for the representative government that would follow more than a century later. As the first release in the anniversary series, it set the tone for a chronological journey through the nation’s founding.
2. Revolutionary War Quarter (Released March 27, 2026)
The second design commemorates the Revolutionary War, the armed conflict from 1775 to 1783 in which the thirteen American colonies fought for and won independence from Great Britain. This release honors the sacrifice and determination of the Continental Army and the broader colonial population whose resistance ultimately made American nationhood possible.
3. Declaration of Independence Quarter (Released June 16, 2026)
Timed to arrive just ahead of Independence Day, the third quarter in the series pays homage to the Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. Authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration formally announced the colonies’ break from British rule and articulated the founding ideals of liberty and self-determination that continue to define American civic identity.
4. U.S. Constitution Quarter (Released August 26, 2026)
The newest release in the series honors the U.S. Constitution, drafted in 1787 and ratified in 1788, which established the structure of the federal government and remains the supreme law of the land. The coin’s obverse spotlights James Madison, frequently referred to as the “Father of the Constitution” for his central role in drafting the document and later championing the Bill of Rights. The design was created by former Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by former Mint Medallic Artist Don Everhart.
5. Gettysburg Address Quarter (Scheduled for Fall 2026)
Rounding out the series is a coin commemorating the Gettysburg Address, President Abraham Lincoln’s brief but enduring 1863 speech delivered during the Civil War at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. As of this writing, the Mint has only listed a general “Fall 2026” release window for rolls and bags of this final design, without a firm date.
Obverse and Reverse Design Details
Obverse (Heads Side): The obverse presents a portrait of James Madison, the fourth President of the United States. Madison’s likeness was chosen to represent his outsized influence over the Constitution’s drafting and ratification, an achievement that earned him his enduring nickname, the “Father of the Constitution.” Surrounding the portrait are the traditional inscriptions E PLURIBUS UNUM and IN GOD WE TRUST, along with the anniversary dual date 1776–2026. Joel Iskowitz handled the original artwork, and Don Everhart translated it into the sculpted relief used for striking.
Reverse (Tails Side): The reverse depicts Independence Hall in Philadelphia the very building where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated and signed. A subtle design touch sets the building’s clock to 2:50, a quiet numerical nod to the nation’s 250th anniversary. To the right of the building appears the phrase WE THE PEOPLE, drawn from the Constitution’s own preamble. Additional inscriptions round out the reverse, including UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, U.S. CONSTITUTION, and QUARTER DOLLAR. Donna Weaver designed this side of the coin, with sculpting work completed by Phebe Hemphill.
Why This Matters for Collectors
The Constitution Quarter carries appeal on several fronts:
- Limited window of production: Like its predecessors in the series, this design will only be struck for a single year, making early acquisition attractive to collectors who want original Mint packaging rather than relying on secondary-market circulated finds later.
- Strong demand track record: The sell-out pattern of the year’s first three quarter releases suggests the Constitution Quarter could follow suit, potentially making unopened rolls and bags more difficult and pricier to find as time passes.
- Historical significance of the subject matter: A coin honoring the Constitution and James Madison touches one of the most consequential documents and figures in American governance, giving it thematic weight beyond typical circulating coinage.
- Series completion appeal: Collectors assembling a full five-coin set spanning the Mayflower Compact through the Gettysburg Address will want this piece to keep their Semiquincentennial run intact.
- Companion collector products: Beyond circulating rolls and bags, the design has already appeared in the 2026 Silver Proof Set and Uncirculated Mint Set (both currently sold out at the Mint), with a standard 2026 Proof Set featuring all five designs still expected this fall giving collectors another future opportunity to obtain the design in a different format.
Quick-Reference Buying Guide
- Mark your calendar for future related releases, including the standard 2026 Proof Set expected this fall and the still-unscheduled Gettysburg Address Quarter.
- Visit the U.S. Mint’s online catalog to place an order for Constitution Quarter rolls or bags.
- Choose your product: decide between a two-roll set ($56, 80 coins total from both mints) or a 100-coin bag ($63, single mint of your choice).
- Order early household limits cap purchases at two per product for the first 26 hours, and prior 2026 quarter releases sold out quickly.
- Check availability if you missed the initial window; some products may remain limited or unavailable once the household caps are lifted.
- Watch your pocket change and bank rolls as an alternative, since the coins began shipping to Federal Reserve Banks on August 10 and are entering general circulation.
- Track the full series if collecting all five 2026 quarter designs, and consider the upcoming Proof Set for a complete, presentation-quality set later this year.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or numismatic appraisal advice. Prices, mintage figures, order limits, release dates, and product availability are subject to change without notice and should be independently verified through the official U.S. Mint website (catalog.usmint.gov) before making a purchase. Coin values in the secondary market can fluctuate and are not guaranteed. This piece is not an official publication of the United States Mint, and the author/publisher assumes no liability for purchasing decisions made based on this content.
