New quarters were set to honor women's suffrage and civil rights. Trump is canceling them
Quarters that were meant to honor the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, and the civil rights movement will no longer be produced
Courtesy: US Mint
Three of five special quarters that were planned to be released in 2026 have been jettisoned by the Trump administration.
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Quarters that were meant to honor the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, and the civil rights movement will no longer be produced, The Wall Street Journal reports. Instead, the Treasury Department will replace those with designs honoring the Mayflower, the Revolutionary War, and the Gettysburg Address.
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Quarters that were going to feature Frederick Douglass, a women’s suffrage marcher, and Ruby Bridges will now have Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and James Madison.
The Trump administration gave no reason for the shift. But it has pushed to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, and has more criticized "woke" ideology. President Donald Trump has criticized museums, including the Smithsonian, for focusing too heavily on what he says are negative parts of the country's history. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent gave final approval to the new coins.
The change-up in quarters, though, contradicts the law that authorized the celebration currency, which was signed during Trump's first administration. One quarter was required to show a woman’s contribution to either the birth of the U.S. or some other important moment.
Still under discussion is a $1 coin featuring Trump. No Trump coin was unveiled by the U.S. mint in the unveiling of the new designs.
The quarter isn't the only coin changing for America's Semiquincentennial celebration. The dime, nickel, and half-dollar will also get new looks. The dime will revert to its previous look in 2027. The quarter and half-dollar will celebrate Youth and Paralympic Sports as part of a new four-year program
“The designs on these historic coins depict the story of America’s journey toward a ‘more perfect union,’ and celebrate America’s defining ideals of liberty,” acting Mint Director Kristie McNally said in a statement. “We hope to offer each American the opportunity to hold our nation’s storied 250 years of history in the palms of their hands as we Connect America through Coins.”