Teaching the Story of Liberty Through America’s Circulating Coins
Monthly Mint Trivia: For more than 150 years, Liberty appeared as a female figure on U.S. circulating coins. In what year was the last circulating coin featuring Liberty issued?
Depictions of a Modern Image
In recognition of the United States’ 250th anniversary, U.S. circulating coins will debut refreshed designs. For the first time in 80 years, Liberty will once again appear on circulating coinage—a homage to the nation’s founding ideals. Early American coins prominently featured personifications of Liberty, symbolizing freedom and independence. Read on to discover ways to bring these coins—and related educational resources—into your classroom.
- Exploring the Semiquincentennial Coin Program (Grades 3-12): Students will explore U.S. history, values and founding principles through observation, discussion, and creative application.
- Money Match (Grades K-2): Identify the name and value of coins using math concepts.
- Battle of the Coins (Grades K-2): Observe the physical attributes of coins and describe differences between coin types.
Additional resources from around the web:
- Virtual Field Trip: Take a virtual tour with the Museum of American Revolution to see artifacts and learn more about the Revolutionary War.
- Teaching with Historic Places: Learn about the cause of the American Revolution and connections to places and the stories that represent America’s diverse history.
- Preserving a Symbol: Explore the Statue of Liberty and learn why it has served as an iconic symbol for the entire world.
Coin of the Month: 2026 Revolutionary War Quarter
The obverse design features George Washington, the first President of the United States and Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. The inscriptions are “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “1776 ~ 2026.
The reverse design shows a Continental Army soldier at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Washington’s forces endured defeat at the Battle of Brandywine and faced disease and extreme cold during their winter encampment from 1777 to 1778. Independence had been declared the previous July, but the Second Continental Congress was forced to flee Philadelphia to evade a British attack. The soldier’s resolute gaze shows his will to overcome the trials of the war in pursuit of liberty. The inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “LIBERTY,” “25¢,” and “REVOLUTIONARY WAR.”
Counting with Coins
Coin Count Dice
2026 Coin Activity Book
Trivia Answer: 1947 - The Walking Liberty half dollar was the last circulating U.S. coin to feature Liberty.