2026 Gettysburg Address Quarter Value Guide

The 2026 Gettysburg Address Quarter: What Collectors Need to Know

The 2026 Gettysburg Address quarter is one of five special commemorative quarters the U.S. Mint is releasing this year to mark America's 250th anniversary — and it's already drawing serious collector attention. This specific design accurately depicts the historic Lincoln portrait and the symbolic clasped hands on the reverse.

Here's a quick snapshot before we dive in:

Feature	Details
Program	Semiquincentennial (America 250)
Release	Fall 2026
Mints	Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), San Francisco (S)
Obverse	Abraham Lincoln portrait, dual date 1776~2026
Reverse	Two clasped hands, "A New Nation Conceived in Liberty"
Circulating composition	Copper-nickel clad, 5.67 g, 24.26 mm
Silver proof composition	99.9% fine silver, 6.19 g, 24.26 mm
Silver proof value (PR-65)	$29 or more
Silver melt value	$17.12
100-coin bags (P or D)	$42.00–$63.00 (limit 10 per household)
Single coin retail	From $2.99

This coin is part of a once-in-a-lifetime series — five quarter designs issued only in 2026, each honoring a defining moment in American history. Whether you want one for circulation finds or you're hunting the San Francisco silver proof, knowing the details now puts you ahead of the crowd. You can browse our full selection of commemorative quarters and silver proof quarters to see what's available.

I'm Chris Sistrunk, owner of USSQ, and after shipping more than 80,000 U.S. Mint coins annually to collectors around the world, I've watched the 2026 Gettysburg Address quarter generate some of the strongest early interest of any coin in this anniversary series. Let's break down everything you need to know to collect it with confidence.

History of the 2026 Gettysburg Address Quarter

To understand why the 2026 Gettysburg Address quarter is so highly anticipated, we have to look at the massive celebration it belongs to. This year, 2026, marks the United States Semiquincentennial — the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

To celebrate this monumental "America 250" milestone, the U.S. Mint was authorized under the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-330) to completely overhaul our circulating coinage for one year only. This means the classic quarter, dime, half dollar, and even the penny are getting historic, dual-dated redesigns.

While some of the anniversary coins focus on the earliest days of our founding, the Gettysburg Address quarter honors a critical moment of national preservation. As noted in the historical announcement that the U.S. Mint Will Release Gettysburg Address Commemorative Quarter, this coin represents the enduring strength of American democracy and the heavy cost paid to keep our nation whole.

Historical Significance of the Gettysburg Address

On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln stood on the battlefield of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The nation was torn apart by the Civil War, and Lincoln was there to dedicate a national cemetery for the soldiers who had fallen during the brutal three-day battle just four months earlier.

In a speech that lasted just over two minutes and contained fewer than 275 words, Lincoln redefined the meaning of the Civil War. He reminded the audience that the United States was "conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

By placing Lincoln's words on the 2026 Quarters, the U.S. Mint is honoring not just a speech, but the painful, necessary process of national healing and unity. It represents the triumph of the Union and the ongoing promise of a government "of the people, by the people, for the people."

Part of the 2026 Semiquincentennial Coins Guide

The Gettysburg Address design is the final coin in a five-quarter sequence mapping out key pillars of American history. If you are following our 2026 Semiquincentennial Coins Guide, you know that the five themes chosen for this year's quarters are:

1. The Mayflower Compact (Founding principles of self-governance)
2. The Revolutionary War (The fight for independence)
3. The Declaration of Independence (The birth of our national ideals)
4. The U.S. Constitution (The framework of our law)
5. The Gettysburg Address (The preservation of the Union)

Because the Gettysburg Address quarter represents the culmination of this historical narrative, it holds a special place in the hearts of collectors who appreciate the long, complex journey of American democracy.

Official Designs and Symbolism of the Coin

The visual power of the 2026 Gettysburg Address quarter lies in its combination of a classic presidential portrait and deeply emotional reverse imagery.

Abraham Lincoln Obverse Design

Unlike the other four Semiquincentennial quarters, which feature George Washington on the obverse, the Gettysburg Address quarter features a stunning portrait of President Abraham Lincoln.

This obverse design, sculpted by United States Mint Chief Engraver Joseph F. Menna, was originally used on the highly popular 2009 Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial commemorative silver dollar. It captures a side-profile view of Lincoln that conveys both the immense physical and emotional burden of leading a fractured nation through war, alongside a quiet, forward-looking resolve.

Inscriptions on the obverse include:

• LIBERTY
• IN GOD WE TRUST
• E PLURIBUS UNUM
• The historic dual date 1776 ~ 2026

The presence of the dual date on a circulating coin is a direct nod to the iconic 1976 Bicentennial quarters, making these coins instantly recognizable in your pocket change.

The Clasped Hands Reverse Design

The reverse of the coin, also designed and engraved by Joseph F. Menna, is a masterpiece of symbolic simplicity. It features two hands firmly grasping each other.

This image carries multiple layers of meaning:

• National Healing: It represents the symbolic reunion of the North and the South after the devastation of the Civil War.
• Honoring the Fallen: It depicts the final handshakes of soldiers and the promise of the living to carry on their unfinished work.
• Democratic Unity: It symbolizes the diverse people of the United States holding fast to one another to preserve their shared liberty.

Curving around the top edge of the reverse is the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Below the clasped hands is the famous phrase from Lincoln's speech: "A NEW NATION CONCEIVED IN LIBERTY". At the very bottom, the coin is inscribed with GETTYSBURG ADDRESS and QUARTER DOLLAR.

Specifications and Mints for the Coin

The U.S. Mint is producing the 2026 Gettysburg Address quarter at three different facilities, using two distinct metal compositions. This ensures that both casual pocket-change hunters and high-end registry set collectors have plenty of options to pursue.

Specifications of the 2026 Gettysburg Address Quarter

For the circulating versions you will find in daily transactions, the coin retains the standard copper-nickel clad composition used for U.S. quarters since 1965. However, for collectors who prefer precious metals, the San Francisco Mint is striking a magnificent proof version in 99.9% fine silver.

According to the official catalog specifications on 25 Cents (Gettysburg Address; Silver) - United States – Numista, here is how the two versions compare:

Technical Spec	Circulating Clad Version	Silver Proof Version
Composition	8.33% nickel, balance copper	99.9% fine silver
Weight	5.67 grams	6.19 grams (6.343g total mass)
Actual Silver Weight	0.00 oz	0.1988 troy oz (6.184 grams)
Diameter	24.26 mm (0.955 in)	24.26 mm (0.955 in)
Thickness	1.75 mm	1.75 mm
Edge Type	Reeded	Reeded
Mint Marks	P (Philadelphia), D (Denver)	S (San Francisco)

Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints

The mint mark on your quarter will tell you exactly where it was born and what finish to expect:

• Philadelphia (P Mint Mark): Striking billions of circulating quarters for the Eastern half of the United States. These are clad coins with a standard business-strike finish.
• Denver (D Mint Mark): Striking circulating quarters for the Western half of the country, also in clad with a business-strike finish.
• San Francisco (S Mint Mark): This facility does not strike coins for general circulation. Instead, it produces the highly polished collector finishes, including the standard clad Proofs and the stunning 99.9% silver proof quarters.

Collector Value and Pricing Guide

Because these coins are brand new for 2026, their market values are highly dependent on their condition, their metal content, and how you purchase them.

Collector Value of the 2026 Gettysburg Address Quarter

If you are looking to pull a Gettysburg Address quarter straight out of your pocket change, it will generally be worth its face value of 25 cents. However, because these are one-year-only issues, many people will hoard them. The Numista rarity index currently rates the circulating clad version at a high 92 out of 100, meaning that in the early phases of release, finding clean, undamaged examples in the wild can be surprisingly difficult!

For collectors seeking pristine specimens, buying uncirculated rolls or proof sets is the way to go:

• Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Singles: Individual uncirculated quarters from Philadelphia or Denver retail starting around $2.99 each.
• Silver Proof Version (PR-65 to PR-70): The San Francisco silver proof version has an estimated collector value of $29.00 or more in a PR-65 grade.
• Melt Value: Because the silver proof quarter contains 6.184 grams of pure silver, it has an intrinsic melt value of $17.12 (based on current silver spot prices). This provides a solid value floor for precious metal investors. The Numista rarity index for the silver proof sits at 69 out of 100, reflecting its popularity among serious numismatists.

U.S. Mint Rolls, Bags, and Proof Sets

For those who want to buy in bulk directly from the source, the U.S. Mint offers official packaging options. According to the product pages for the Semiquincentennial Quarters 2026 Rolls and Bags - Gettysburg Address | US Mint, collectors can purchase:

• 100-Coin Bags (P or D): Priced between $42.00 and $63.00.
• Two-Roll Sets (P and D): Containing one 40-coin roll from Philadelphia and one from Denver (80 coins total) for $25.00.

Due to the massive demand for these historic coins, the U.S. Mint has instituted a strict household order limit of 10 units per customer for these rolls and bags. If you miss the Mint's initial release window, you can always check out our selection of Semiquincentennial Silver Proof Quarters to secure your set.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Gettysburg Address Quarter

When will the 2026 Gettysburg Address quarter be released?

The Gettysburg Address quarter is scheduled for official release in the Fall of 2026. It is the fifth and final quarter design of the Semiquincentennial series to be released this year. While banks will begin receiving them in late autumn, it can take several weeks or even months for them to actively show up in local cash registers and change jars.

What is the silver content of the silver proof version?

The silver proof version struck at the San Francisco Mint is composed of 99.9% fine silver (often referred to as three-nines fine). It contains 6.184 grams (0.1988 troy ounces) of actual silver weight. This is a higher purity than the pre-1965 circulating quarters, which were only 90% silver.

How does this coin differ from the other 2026 Semiquincentennial quarters?

While all five 2026 quarters feature the historic dual date "1776 ~ 2026," the Gettysburg Address quarter is the only one in the series to feature Abraham Lincoln on the obverse instead of George Washington. Its reverse design of clasped hands also represents a later period in American history (the Civil War era), whereas the other four designs focus on colonial and revolutionary-era milestones like the Mayflower Compact, the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, and the writing of the U.S. Constitution.

Conclusion

The 2026 Gettysburg Address quarter is more than just a piece of pocket change; it is a beautiful, tangible piece of American history. By bringing together the legendary portrait of Abraham Lincoln and the powerful symbol of clasped hands, this coin serves as a daily reminder of the sacrifices made to keep our nation "conceived in Liberty."

Whether you are a seasoned collector looking to add a 99.9% silver proof to your registry set, or a parent helping a child start their very first coin folder, this quarter is a must-have.

Here at Coins Online LLC, we have been helping collectors find the perfect additions to their vaults since 1999. From classic commemorative quarters to the newest Semiquincentennial releases, we offer competitive prices, low shipping rates, and a worry-free 14-day return policy.

Happy hunting, and may your pocket change always bring you a little piece of history!