SOFT NEWS Check your quarters: Rare ‘July 4th’ coins entering circulation

[tanstaafl]

United States Mint Strikes Limited-Edition 2.5-Ounce Silver Fourth of July Declaration of Independence Quarters

WASHINGTON, July 6, 2026 — The United States Mint (Mint) at Philadelphia struck 250 2.5-ounce silver Semiquincentennial 2026 Declaration of Independence quarters on the Fourth of July under the authority at 31 U.S.C. 5112(u), which authorizes the minting and issuing of silver fractional coins with designs for the Semiquincentennial quarters and half dollar in sizes, weights, fineness, and denominations, and with inscriptions, that the Secretary of the Treasury determines to be appropriate. Bearing no mint mark and featuring a special "July 4" privy mark, these unique quarters were struck sequentially and edge-numbered from 1 through 250.

“These 250 coins represent a truly remarkable moment in our nation’s history,” said Mint Director Paul Hollis. “Struck on the Fourth of July during America’s Semiquincentennial, they commemorate 250 years of independence, making them far more than collectibles—they’re historic artifacts that connect us to this milestone celebration and will be treasured for generations to come.”

The 2.5 oz. Silver Quarters are a collectible version of the Declaration of Independence privy mark quarters, struck on July 4th, identical in design, with the sequence of each coin lasered on the edge. These Silver Quarters will be auctioned at a later date, to be determined. These unique and rare Silver Quarters will be a lasting tribute to our Semiquincentennial and will be cherished by collectors.

Customers can learn more about all the Semiquincentennial coins and medals by visiting the Mint’s website.

https://www.usmint.gov/news/press-releases/united-states-mint-strikes-limited-edition-two-and-a-half-ounce-silver-fourth-of-july-declaration-of-ndependence-quarters

 

[tanstaafl]

Just an update that the quarters are now (yesterday and today) going for below $500 each on eBay, and I saw one that went for $250 yesterday. I also saw someone spent $40,000 on July 5th to buy fifty quarters (which is $800 each), probably thinking the quarters would always be worth $2,500 or so. There are/were no shortage of offerings, and the number of quarters sold or for sale is probably over 500 or so by now. I expect the price will continue to drop as people try to sell thousands of the things. I'm still interested in knowing if anyone in the PNW or on the West Coast is finding these quarters.

 

[WriterMom]

I just found one this evening on the street in front of my house (Liberty Bell on the back)! Wonder if I should try to sell it....

ETA...I am seeing them for sale for as low as $1.99 on ebay, so I guess I'm holding onto it.

 

[tanstaafl]

I just found one this evening on the street in front of my house (Liberty Bell on the back)! Wonder if I should try to sell it....

ETA...I am seeing them for sale for as low as $1.99 on ebay, so I guess I'm holding onto it.

What you almost certainly found was the regular circulating quarter minted in the multi-millions. The one in this thread is a special quarter with the exact same design but without a mint mark and instead has "July 4th" to the left of Jefferson (only 250,000 were minted). The U.S. Mint mixed those special quarters into the huge mass of circulating quarters in a PR stunt for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The Mint wasn't selling them and the only place you could find them was to search the new circulating quarters just like everybody else. Then people started finding them and selling them on eBay and other places, but the novelty of being among the first to have one quickly wore off and the collector value is dropping quite rapidly. Even $250 for a 25 cent coin is still 1,000X the face value and worth selling if you have the means -- you can probably buy it back later for much cheaper if you just have to have one (I would expect the price to eventually settle into the $25-$50 range, but that's just a wild assed guess on my part).

 

[West]

What you almost certainly found was the regular circulating quarter minted in the multi-millions. The one in this thread is a special quarter with the exact same design but without a mint mark and instead has "July 4th" to the left of Jefferson (only 250,000 were minted). The U.S. Mint mixed those special quarters into the huge mass of circulating quarters in a PR stunt for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The Mint wasn't selling them and the only place you could find them was to search the new circulating quarters just like everybody else. Then people started finding them and selling them on eBay and other places, but the novelty of being among the first to have one quickly wore off and the collector value is dropping quite rapidly. Even $250 for a 25 cent coin is still 1,000X the face value and worth selling if you have the means -- you can probably buy it back later for much cheaper if you just have to have one (I would expect the price to eventually settle into the $25-$50 range, but that's just a wild assed guess on my part).

Good info. Thank you.

Can only add that IMHO, if one can exchange any types of clad coins for PMs coins, thats the much better exchange than to more fiat dollars.

 

[tanstaafl]

Can only add that IMHO, if one can exchange any types of clad coins for PMs coins, thats the much better exchange than to more fiat dollars.

The buyer who paid $40,000 for fifty quarters just kills me. If the new value is $500 (today that seems to be the going eBay asking price), in just three days the buyer already lost $15,000 on their "investment." I'm more like you, if I was going to blow $40K on something it would have been silver or gold coins/bullion. I wouldn't mind having one of the special quarters for my coin collection, but I don't intend to pay more than $25 or so to get one. It won't bother me not to have one since I already have the 2026 Mint Silver Proof Set and eventually will be getting the regular 2026 Mint Proof Set (which isn't out yet, maybe in the fall).

 

[West]

I recall buying my first piece of silver in 1976. I bought a half dime from little town stamp and coin company. For around $5 bucks in total, also included a V and Buffalo nickel it was a 5 cent set IIRC.

About in this condition...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/236281681549?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338590836&toolid=10044&loc_physical_ms=84041&customid=d2fb3edba1cd189f7593548be60dee4e

It was a months worth of collecting bottles and aluminum cans.

Was also around 10 years old. I know I'm weird. But its turned out to be one of my better investments.

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