What happened to the quarter’s George Washington?
Quarter collectors are adding the first coins not to have a familiar George Washington obverse – either the 1932 profile or the 2022-2025 motif from the just completed U.S. Woman Quarter Series. And they’re snapping them up like hotcakes!
The heads and tails of this year’s dual-dated quarters are unique to the USA’s 250th anniversary. Let’s jump right in with a look at the motifs and the adjacent portfolios of designs produced by the U.S. Mint’s Medallic Artists, its skilled digital sculptor-engravers, and the talented external Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) designers who originated the concepts.
Mayflower Compact Quarter
This first of the 2026 quarter designs emphasizes the ideal of “liberty through consent.” The obverse represents the Pilgrims’ journey towards religious freedom while the reverse honors the foundation of self-governance known as the Mayflower Compact, a document signed November 21, 1620 onboard the ship that brought these English settlers to a new continent.
The obverse was designed by Ronald Sanders of the AIP and digitally sculpted by Eric David Custer. The pair previously collaborated on the 2017 National Scenic Riverways quarter for Missouri.
Ron also designed the 2013 Great Basin National Park quarter for Nevada and the 2021 U.S. Innovation dollar for New York. Eric was the Medallic Artist for the2022 Negro Leagues Baseball Commemorative silver dollar.
The Mayflower Compact quarter’s reverse was designed and sculpted by well-regarded U.S. Mint designer-sculptor-engraver Phebe Hemphill. She based her motif on sculptor Cyrus E. Dallin’s rendition of the Mayflower for the reverses of the silver Pilgrim Tercentenary half dollars struck in 1920 and 1921.
As a quick aside: If you missed this earlier Heads & Tails blog, one of our inventory specialists discovered an unusual struck-through error on the obverse of this first quarter of the year. And, it’s attracting quite a bit of collector interest!
Revolutionary War Quarter
The obverse of the second 2026 quarter design might be recognizable to Washington collectors. The motif previously graced the 2007 George Washington Presidential dollar. Of course, when Washington was Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, he couldn’t have predicted he’d be called out of post-war retirement to become our nation’s first president.
This obverse was designed by the U.S. Mint’s 14th chief engraver, Joseph Menna, whose impressive portfolio stretches back to 2005. He was the first full-time artist possessing both digital and traditional skills to be hired by the mint and was the first medallic artist in mint history. His other presidential dollar obverses include Theodore Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower. His reverse motif for Louisiana’s 2015 National Forest quarter won Best Circulating Coin at the 2017 World Money Fair in Berlin, Germany.
This quarter’s reverse depicts a Continental Army soldier at Valley Forge, his gaze showing resolve to continue pursuing liberty despite serious military reversals and a bitterly cold winter. The AIP designer was Donna Weaver, whose other pieces include the 2007 Wyoming statehood quarter and the 2021 Native American dollar reverse.
The Revolutionary War reverse was digitally sculpted by Medallic Artist Craig Campbell. He and Donna worked together on the 2025 Marine Corps 250th anniversary commemoratives. Among Craig’s other coins were three U.S. Women quarters, including the visually complex reverse that honored Eleanor Roosevelt in 2023.
Declaration of Independence Quarter
Thomas Jefferson was a young lawyer who had served in the Virginia House of Burgesses before it was dissolved by the crown-appointed governor. He was subsequently elected to the Continental Congress. At a meeting in Philadelphia, Jefferson was tasked with writing the first draft of the Declaration of Independence.
From the U.S. Mint’s archives, this third quarter motif came from an 1801 Indian Peace medal created by the first chief engraver and assistant engraver, Robert Scot and John Reich, respectively.
On the reverse is a contemporary design of the iconic Liberty Bell. It is unclear to this day whether it was rung July 8, 1776, to call the public to the Philadelphia square where the Declaration was first read aloud. But it remains a revered symbol of freedom. The AIP designer was Ben Sowards whose previous motifs include the silver dollar 2024 commemorative of the Greatest Generation and two 2022 U.S. women’s quarters honoring Cherokee Chief Wilma Mankiller and Anna May Wong.
The Declaration of Independence reverse was digitally sculpted by Medallic Artist John P. McGraw whose earlier motifs include the intricately detailed 2023 quarter honoring Jovita Idar, the Mexican-American journalist, teacher and civil rights activist from Texas.
U.S. Constitution Quarter
The fourth 2026 quarter obverse pays homage to James Madison, who is regarded as the “Father of the Constitution” for his role in drafting and promoting the document that established the framework of American government.
Like the 2026 Revolutionary War quarter, this obverse was previously used on a 2007 coin – the James Madison Presidential dollar. The AIP designer was Joel Iskowitz, whose U.S. Mint portfolio includes the 2011 quarter for Gettysburg National Park, and the U.S. Presidential dollar honoring John Adams.
The U.S. Constitution quarter’s obverse was executed by Medallic Artist Don Everhart, who also collaborated with Joel on the golden dollar honoring President Madison. Don also designed that coin’s reverse, featuring the Statue of Liberty, done when he was an AIP participant. As a Medallic Artist, Don digitally sculpted Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes as a 2014 National Park quarter.
The reverse of the U.S. Constitution quarter features a new angle of the bell tower and Independence Hall where this important document was debated and signed. This 2026 quarter bears the inscription we the people – highlighting the principle that America’s government is grounded in the consent of those governed. The design reflects the collaboration of AIP Designer Donna Weaver and Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill; the women previously worked on the 1999 silver dollar honoring Dolley Madison.
If you are collecting coin memorabilia relating to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, consider adding this impressive challenge coin that includes the reverse of a silver Franklin half dollar depicting the Liberty Bell.
Gettysburg Address Quarter
The fifth and final 2026 motifs honor the writer of one of the most powerful speeches in American history, President Abraham Lincoln. His historic Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery defined the Civil War’s purpose as a fight for equality and freedom and proved a turning point in our nation’s story.
The obverse features a portrait of the 16th president previously seen on the commemorative silver dollars struck for the bicentennial of his birth in 2009. AIP Designer Justin Kunz created the bust; Medallic Artist Don Everhart was the digital sculptor.
The reverse motif features the inscription a new nation conceived in liberty from Lincoln’s speech. AIP Designer Beth Zaiken originated the clasped hands for the silver commemorative struck in 2024 to honor Harriet Tubman. Medallic Artist Craig A. Campbell sculpted the 2026 reverse.
You may also want to pair the 2026 quarter with Littleton Coin’s informative Showpak® featuring the Gettysburg National Park quarter issued in 2011 or the standalone coin layered in gold.
To help collectors organize their coins issued during the country’s 250th anniversary, Littleton has produced a dedicated archival-quality folder for 10 regular P&D issues. There are spaces for the quarters, dime, half dollar and Native American dollar. Order here. And, as always, happy collecting!
