In 2026, the United States will mark its 250th anniversary, or Semiquincentennial, with special, one-time-only designs on circulating coins. For the dime, this will include a return to a classic Liberty design, the first such depiction in 80 years. The proposed designs for the 2026 Semiquincentennial dime have now been reviewed and recommended by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) and the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA).
Recommended Designs for the 2026 Semiquincentennial Dime
Above are the recommended obverse and reverse designs for the 2026 Semiquincentennial dime, with the CCAC’s favored design in the first row and the CFA’s preference in the second row. A total of thirteen obverse and eight reverse designs were considered during reviews held by the CCAC on October 16 and the CFA on October 17, 2024.
The theme for the 2026 dime is “Liberty over Tyranny,” reflecting the ideals of the American Revolution that paved the way for the next 250 years of the nation’s history. The dime, along with the half dollar, will complement the five Semiquincentennial quarter designs, reinforcing the aspirations expressed at America’s founding.
Both the CCAC and CFA agreed on certain elements for the reverse design but favored different obverse options. Below is a breakdown of the designs they each recommended.
CCAC’s Recommended Designs for the 2026 Dime
The CCAC’s preferred obverse design, labeled O-03, features Liberty in a powerful pose, with winds of revolution flowing through her hair. Her determined expression signifies her resistance against British tyranny, while her Liberty cap adorned with stars and stripes references the nation’s early symbolism and coinage. The chosen reverse design, R-03A, depicts an eagle in flight clutching arrows in its talons, representing the fight for American independence during the Revolution. The CCAC suggested adjusting the eagle’s wings to create a more natural, straight-flight position.
CFA’s Recommended Designs for the 2026 Dime
The CFA’s favored obverse, O-01A, depicts Liberty in a style inspired by early U.S. coinage, with laurel in her hair as a symbol of victory over tyranny. The CFA also proposed that the profile be adjusted to face rightward, provided it does not interfere with the “L” in “LIBERTY.” The CFA’s selected reverse design, R-03, is the same as the CCAC’s but omits the inscription “LIBERTY OVER TYRANNY,” a detail the CFA appreciated for the reverse’s simplicity, noting it was well-suited for the small scale of the dime.
Breakdown of the Obverse and Reverse Candidate Designs for the 2026 Dime
Obverse Candidate Designs:
The following are some of the obverse design concepts under consideration for the 2026 dime:
- DIME-O-01 and DIME-O-01A: Both feature Liberty inspired by early American coinage. DIME-O-01 includes a coronet inscribed with “250 YEARS” to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary, while DIME-O-01A features Liberty with laurel in her hair to symbolize victory.
- DIME-O-02 and DIME-O-02A: These designs depict Liberty in a forward-leaning stance, symbolizing her intensity in the fight against tyranny. The embellishments in her hair reference revolutionary-era tricorn hats, and the elm leaves are a nod to the Liberty Tree in Boston.
- DIME-O-03, DIME-O-03A, DIME-O-03B: These variations show a determined Liberty with winds of revolution flowing through her hair. DIME-O-03 features a Liberty cap with stars and stripes, while DIME-O-03A and DIME-O-03B incorporate laurel wreaths to signify victory.
- DIME-O-04 and DIME-O-04A: In these designs, Liberty engages the viewer with extended hands, as if urging consideration of the word “LIBERTY.” The addition of flowing fabric in DIME-O-04A adds a sense of dynamism, reflecting the energy of the revolution.
- DIME-O-05 and DIME-O-05A: These feature a profile of Liberty, with flowing hair surrounded by stars and laurel, recalling earlier coin designs.
- DIME-O-06 and DIME-O-06A: These designs present Liberty facing a rising sun, symbolizing the dawn of the new nation.
Reverse Candidate Designs:
The reverse side of the dime has several proposed designs, with the following notable options:
- DIME-R-01 and DIME-R-01A: Depict Liberty’s torch of enlightenment lighting the path to freedom. DIME-R-01 includes thirteen stars representing the original colonies, and both designs incorporate a flame that ignites the colonists’ quest for liberty.
- DIME-R-02 and DIME-R-02A: These designs showcase an American eagle in flight, clutching a banner. DIME-R-02 features a banner that reads “250 YEARS,” while DIME-R-02A displays “ONE DIME.”
- DIME-R-03 and DIME-R-03A: These reverse designs show an eagle in flight, carrying arrows in its talons as a symbol of the American Revolution. DIME-R-03A also includes the inscription “LIBERTY OVER TYRANNY.”
- DIME-R-04 and DIME-R-04A: These designs depict the hand of Liberty raising a torch formed from the inscription “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” symbolizing the formation of the nation from the thirteen colonies. The torch in DIME-R-04 burns through the bonds of tyranny, while DIME-R-04A features thirteen stars representing the original colonies.
Conclusion
The 2026 Semiquincentennial dime will be a significant coin, reflecting the ideals and struggles that shaped the United States. While the CCAC and CFA have recommended different obverse designs, they both agree on key reverse elements, emphasizing the themes of liberty and revolution. The final designs will be chosen after further review, marking a historic milestone in the nation’s coinage history.