Gettysburg Address Quarter Debuts at the Battlefield, Closing Out the 2026 Quarter Lineup
Hundreds lined up at Gettysburg for the last of the Mint's five 1776–2026 quarters. The design, the artists, and how to get rolls, bags, and proofs.
Written by Admin User
The last of the U.S. Mint's five quarters for the nation's 250th anniversary is officially out. On Wednesday, October 21, the Mint launched the 1776–2026 Gettysburg Address quarter at Gettysburg National Military Park, the same ground where Abraham Lincoln spoke for about two minutes at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery on November 19, 1863. Collectors lined up for free coin boards and a chance to swap cash for fresh quarters.
A crowd at the battlefield
The ceremony began at 11 a.m. at the park's Museum and Visitor Center, hosted by the National Park Service with the U.S. Mint and the Gettysburg Foundation. Local TV station abc27 reported that hundreds of people turned out, with lines stretching into the visitor center parking lot and some visitors driving hours to attend. FOX43 spoke with a collector who came up from North Carolina for the coins and a chance to meet the Mint director.
The speakers were U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach, U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis, park superintendent Stephanie Stephens, and Barbara Sardella of the Gettysburg Foundation. The program included a Civil War–era brass band and a ceremonial "coin pour" into a reproduction of Lincoln's trademark stovepipe hat.
In the Mint's announcement, Hollis said that more than 160 years later, Lincoln's words "continue to resonate." Stephens spoke about carrying the Address's message of sacrifice and liberty to Americans across the country. Afterward, the Mint handed out free Gettysburg Address quarters in commemorative coin boards, and Hollis and Beach signed boards for the people in line. ACNB Bank ran a cash-only coin exchange inside the visitor center.
Neither the Mint nor local outlets have released attendance or exchange totals yet. For comparison, the Mint's 2011 Gettysburg quarter launch at the same visitor center drew about 1,600 people, who exchanged roughly $57,000 for $10 rolls.
The design and the artists
- Obverse: A portrait of Lincoln showing the weight of the war on his weathered face, with a forward gaze. Inscriptions: E PLURIBUS UNUM, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the dual date 1776 ~ 2026. It was designed by Justin Kunz of the Mint's Artistic Infusion Program and sculpted by former Mint Medallic Artist Don Everhart.
- Reverse: Two clasped hands, symbolizing Lincoln holding the nation together, beneath the phrase "A NEW NATION CONCEIVED IN LIBERTY." It is framed by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 25¢, and GETTYSBURG ADDRESS. It was designed by Beth Zaiken and sculpted by Medallic Artist Craig A. Campbell.
How we got five quarters in 2026
The coins exist because of the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, signed in January 2021. It allowed up to five different quarter designs for the 250th anniversary, plus redesigned dimes and half dollars for 2026. Starting in 2027, the quarter and half dollar move to youth-sports designs.
The final lineup changed late. In 2024, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) and the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed five original themes. In December 2025, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent replaced three of them (abolition, suffrage, and civil rights) with the Mayflower Compact, the Revolutionary War, and the Gettysburg Address. The CCAC did not review the replacement designs, and its chair, Donald Scarinci, publicly criticized the decision.
The 2026 quarters reached circulation on this schedule:
| Quarter | Into circulation |
|---|---|
| Mayflower Compact | January 5 |
| Revolutionary War | March 23 |
| Declaration of Independence | June 1 |
| U.S. Constitution | August 10 |
| Gettysburg Address | October 19 |
Getting one for your collection
In circulation: The Mint began shipping Gettysburg Address quarters to Federal Reserve Banks on October 19. Banks get them as they order coin, so timing varies by region. The Mint has reported 2.8 million struck through September, split evenly between Philadelphia (P) and Denver (D).
From the Mint: A two-roll set (one P roll and one D roll, 40 coins each) for $56, and 100-coin bags from either mint for $63, go on sale November 13 at noon ET, limited to two per household per option. Rolls and bags of the four earlier 2026 quarters sold out quickly.
Proofs: The San Francisco proof version is in the 2026 Semiquincentennial Proof Set ($107, still on sale at last report). The silver proof set that also contained it is no longer available from the Mint.
A tip for error hunters: No errors have been reported on the 2026 Gettysburg Address quarter so far. Many "Gettysburg quarter error" listings online are actually the 2011 America the Beautiful quarter, which shows the 72nd Pennsylvania Infantry monument rather than clasped hands.
Where to find it at a coin show
Fittingly, Gettysburg has its own show coming up: the Thanksgiving National Battlefield Coin Show runs November 27–28 at the Eisenhower Hotel Ballroom, a few minutes from the battlefield. That's two weeks after the Mint's rolls and bags go on sale, so it's a good place to compare dealer prices on P/D pairs and complete 1776–2026 quarter sets. The Lehigh County Coin Expo on November 7 is another option in the region. Browse every upcoming show on our Pennsylvania coin shows page.
