Poll Question: Do you think the SemiQ coins are the push the hobby needs in revitalizing numismatics? Why or why not?

The semiquincentennial coins, I'm sure, will attract some interest among current collectors, but they may not generate much interest from non-collectors. In this day and age, when most people can't even be bothered to glance at their coins to make sure they get the right amount in change, very few will be checking for this year's special designs. Many of us started collecting when we saw a coin that stood out as different, but with the plethora of coin designs already in circulation, there's no new coin different enough to attract a potential collector's attention. We have over a hundred quarter designs alone! 

Name and Address withheld

Yes, the different designs are great. But the prices are pushing me and others to cut back a lot or just quit altogether.

With all the collectors grabbing the coins, everybody doesn't have a chance at their high prices.

And when the mint puts a limit on your order. How come the big coin dealers seem to have an unlimited supply? Then the mint tells us sold out.

Larry McCreary, Address withheld

New collectors, I am sure the hype about all of the new coins for this anniversary year won't hurt, but I'm not sure it will be enough. I have been collecting coins for 59 years now, and I cannot find ANY NEW COIN in the wild. I check my bank weekly and use cash in the hope of getting new coins in change, but it seems to be a fool’s errand so far. Sure, I have purchased all the collector sets from the mint, at the overpriced amount they want. I believe that if the seasoned collector can't find any, it may take away from new collectors’ ability to actually find them in change, and if they do resort to paying outrageous amounts for a minimum return of collector coins, they might not continue staying in the hobby. I have been forced to buy about 25 percent of what I usually buy; I don't think the hobby will see a large group of new collectors staying in the hobby. Bottom line, I can't find them in change returned from a transaction, and overpriced mint cost for non-precious metals just might scare them off. It's very sad to have to say that.

James Faulkerson, Hillsboro, Mo.

The new coins could be, but I have yet to see one in circulation. It is like the W mints of 2019 and 2020 (assuming my dates are correct). They were highly touted but hard to find. I found none of those either. I guess I could buy hundreds of dollars of rolls to get them, but that defeats the purpose for me. The thrill of finding them in my change is important to me. Like the privy-marked final edition of Lincoln pennies that sold for 6 figures, sometimes I think that where these coins go is pre-determined. 

Name and Address withheld

Popularity and originality of designs for the Semiquincentennial coins have allowed me to see brisk sales online, but I don't think that is enough to really encourage or revitalize numismatics.  

The "July 4th" Declaration of Independence chase quarter will probably continue next year in another form with low mintage, if it proves to be a successful U.S. Mint campaign. This could be a help to the hobby, as long as the chase coin retains its aftermarket demand. Prices have varied widely since the "July 4th quarter" premiered, with some offering and selling them initially for as much as $2,500 apiece! They seem to have trended down to the $300-$400 range more recently.

The Mint products are overpriced. Coin stores and shows these days show limited affordability for younger numismatists, and that is where the future of the hobby will be determined. I paid $5 from the Mint in 1964 for a silver Proof Set. Today one costs $250! 

In 1958, when I was young, lower-denomination gold coins still appeared in cash registers occasionally, and an observant and lucky young numismatist could buy it for face value ($5). That same gold coin costs upward of $1,220 today, beyond the reach of most aspiring youngsters.

The basic start to many numismatic careers has traditionally been the lowly cent. The "discontinued" Lincoln cent still appears in Proof and Uncirculated Sets and refuses to die. It remains the lowest-cost interest-inspiring denomination for new collectors, especially those 2009 error cents, like the doubled dies, die clashes, and off-center strikes which consistently and affordably sell well.

James A. Porter, Author, "An Introduction to 2009 Lincoln Cent Errors"

No!  It's impossible to get these coins! I rarely use cash anymore, so the odds of getting one of them in change is practically zero. I have attempted to purchase these coins directly from the mint, in the
two roll sets (P & D), and all of them say "Currently not available". How do they expect us to get these coins? Once again, the U.S. Mint policies have been obstructive to collectors.

Joseph L. Onishchuk, D.O.

No, I don’t think so. Most people I've talked to have no idea that there are such "new 2026" coins. They don't read numismatic magazines, and the U.S. Mint has done an abysmal job of advertising their existence. 

Talking about existence, they only exist if you're willing to pay 10x or 20x or much more for each coin, from a dealer or feeBay. At the last coin show I participated in, dealers were selling the Nickel, Dime, Quarters and Half Dollar for $15/set. And they sold out fast!

I've been "pestering" quite a few banks to see if they have any 2026 coins, and their unified reply is "nope".  Some bank employees had no idea that there are special 2026 coins, and I needed to show these coins to them on my phone.

This is not like the State Quarters that started in 1999. Those Quarters were massively minted and distributed all around the country. 

Since then, there have been numerous Quarter designs, as well as Nickels and Cents, and the vast majority of the public, as well as many collectors, are fed up with these design changes, which are mostly done very poorly, with designs that excite nobody. 

Bottom line - unless the mint floods all the banks with these 2026 coins, including small banks in rural areas, these coins will lie only in dealers & collectors' hands, and the public will not know, or care, about them.

Oded Paz, Arco, Idaho 

Yes, I do think this will give a boost to coin collecting. But I should add that it would be more enticing if such coins were given to me as pocket change.

Ricky Laliberte, Address withheld

I remember when I was 13 back in 1975, and the new Bicentennial coins were available at banks and in your change. I know it's still early in the year, and not all new 2026 coins are out yet, but I have yet to get any in my change. I have also been asking for new rolls at the banks, and they haven't had any either. The banks tell me they can't request them and they are only supplied with randomly dated rolls. None of them get bags anymore as all the coins arrive pre-rolled and in boxes.

I have heard numerous people talk about placing orders through the U.S. Mint for the coinage they offer, but many have had problems calling in or finding out what they want isn't available at that time.

If dealers are buying them all out and selling them at huge profits, it kind of reminds me of people trying to buy concert tickets online. It seems like that was also the case with the West Point quarter program. 

As for the 250K July 4th quarters, are those mixed in with circulation quarters or are they mixed in with new uncirculated quarters only?

If the big dogs in the coin collecting business are making the coins only available through them, then the average kid isn't going to be interested in the new coins, nor will they be able to afford them.

That's my two bits about it. 

Allan R. Wartella, Address withheld

I think lower interest in the nation’s 250th anniversary in such things as the poor attendance at the D.C. events is likely reflected in commemoratives.

Why is that? Part of it is the endless glorification of Trump. Putting his name and signature on currency, along with his face on 250th dollar coins, will be monumentally unpopular. We live in a Republic that was created to end a monarchy, and Trump’s presence on literally everything runs contrary to our entire history.

Douglas Trabaris, Address withheld

The coins are uninspired. The initial designs, which were 'woke', were ridiculous. We didn't need critical statements. However, the replacements are boring for the most part. The Trump coins are a political atrocity based on pleasing the ego of Trump. In fact, the idea of the Trump coin has convinced me not to buy Mint products until he is out of office. 

I was looking forward to an affordable gold coin to complement my 1926 2 1/2 one. A bullion coin with a date - boring. 

My experience from the last several months at our Coin Club is that the new one-year design coins have drawn a lot of interest with collectors, especially those that focus on coins before 1950.  They are now looking at modern coins, and the Mercury dime is one of those that has drawn a lot of interest.  Our younger collectors are excited in getting these coins, and those of us that focus on modern coins after 1950 are excited with these new one-year designs.

It's not only my opinion but many club members that these new SemiQ coins is revitalizing the numismatics.  We needed this one-year design and some of the low 1776 population coins and medals to gain more interest in collecting coins.  This is what numismatics needed to grow!

Name and Address withheld

My opinion is that the new 250th anniversary coins will not generate a measurable amount of new collectors. WHY?  First, because the U.S. Mint is again charging ridiculously high prices. Second, no method is provided for wide distribution of the coins. And third, dealers charge two and three times the U.S. Mint prices. At a March 2026 show, nickel, dime, and quarter were $3 each and the half dollar was $4 each. At an April 2026 show, the prices were $4 and $6 each. I received the 2026 nickel enclosed in an organization fundraising letter. A friend received one of the 2026 quarters in change at Dairy Queen and gave it to me. A local bank received a shipment of the 2026 half dollars, and I stocked up. 

At the May meeting, club members present were given the option of purchasing one or two half dollars at face value. Used them during National Coin Week for medal design contest K-Grade 5 winners. The design contest is co-sponsored by the Bridge City Coin and Stamp Club and the A.H. Brown Public Library.  Each entry received a foreign coin, and the top three entries in each class received higher value prizes funded by the club. This year there were 217 entries. Also used the half dollar for radio KOLY Burger King daily trivia contest winners. The local Bridge City Coin and Stamp Club provides the questions and prizes. 

Robert Maisch, 2026 Club National Coin Week Chairman

It would have if the mint didn't get greedy and overprice every coin in their inventory. Yes, silver jumped in price, but to charge so much over cost is nuts. How is the new kid collector going to afford those prices? How is a collector such as myself with over 60 years of experience able to afford it? 

Name and Address withheld

No, because the U.S. Mint and Federal Reserve have done a terrible job at ensuring these are distributed in adequate numbers. They should have culled millions in old, worn, and outdated common pocket change in order to have banks replace their inventories with the new SemiQ designs. Instead, the few new designs that are out there are getting hoarded and not circulated, while the Mint asks that you shell out hundreds of dollars over face just for the opportunity to add these "historic rarities" to your collection. Better luck next time, perhaps for the 2076 Tricentennial!

JJ, Milwaukee, Wis.

No. The 2026 coins don't circulate, and banks don't have them. I've asked. The 3 Freedom Ringing Coins are a joke, pricewise.

David N., Meadowbrook, Pa.

I think that the regular issue coins are great for hobby interest. The Dime should be a permanent change from the F.D.R. dime, which is way past time to change! The return to the Liberty obverse is much needed.

On the downside, are the coins like the super high-priced 1 oz Silver and Gold bells. That is only for the elite of the coin collector/investors. Those two, as well as the high prices for all items this year, will turn away more collectors than it will attract. I know I am currently thinking of stopping my coin collecting as it has become a financial burden to me.

No wonder it's known as the hobby of Kings! 

Colonel Steve C., Address withheld

No.

As a long-time collector, not investor, I find that the Mint has extreme pricing for minimal return in things like the mint and proof sets, as well as making most new collector coins in gold, instead of silver or base metal versions that are affordable to the average collector.

Especially frustrating is the making of the classic designs in gold coins, and a “modernized” design in silver medals, again eliminating the average collector from being able to purchase the classics.

I have not seen a single commemorative for the 250^th in circulation in my area, and purchasing them in rolls and bags from the Mint is, again, cost-prohibitive.

Disappointing, but completely in line with this administration’s thinking.

James O’Connell, III, Address withheld

I think the 250th Birthday started out sparking some new interest in the hobby, but now that it's mid-year? 

The banks make it entirely too difficult to obtain change in general, and I feel that is making things shift backward, especially for a new numismatist.

Last month I introduced my 11-year-old granddaughter to numismatics, and three different banks wouldn't even talk to us about obtaining change without an account. We watched two guys bring in literal coffee cans of change while there, and they just dumped the coins onto a counter and sent them off to be sorted elsewhere.

After attending the 2026 FUN event in Orlando last Saturday, there was very little 2026 product availability around the bourse floor.  

When Mint Director Paul Hollis was signing items, there were no more than 10 people in line with dealers making multiple trips for him to sign their items and items purchased at the U.S. Mint display. Even the Mint change machines had less than a 10-minute wait at most.  

The 2026 coins are demanding premium prices at 5 to 30 times face value of the coins, even on eBay. 

I feel it just created an unrealistic way for some dealers to overprice coins, including the U.S. Mint orders, at almost $125 for an Uncirculated Mint Set at collector cost.

The July 4th privy-marked Quarters are already over $300 each. I'll pass on those because of that. 

I'm losing interest very quickly at these prices and buying just a few rolls in FOMO. 

Bah humbug.

GV Hillyer, Naples, Fla.