Oregon Trail Coin

America 250 (or the U.S. Semiquincentennial) commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, celebrated on July 4, 2026. It is a nationwide initiative to honor 250 years of American history. 100 years ago in 1926, the country was celebrating the sesquicentennial and Congress authorized the minting of the Oregon Trail half dollar coin, to help fund the installation of markers along the Oregon Trail. Prior to the request by the Oregon Trail Memorial Association in 1926 there was a lot of public interest in the history of the Oregon trail – For example. in 1923 Paramount Pictures released the silent film “The Covered Wagon” about two caravans of emigrants traveling the Oregon Trail in 1848. You can watch the full silent movie on YouTube. To celebrate the Nation's Semiquincentennial (SemiQ) this year, the United States Mint is proud to unveil one-year-only changes to well-known American coinage, such as the circulating dime, quarter, and half dollar. You can find out more at https://www.usmint.gov/coins/coin-programs/semiquincentennial/