US Mint to issue first non-circular coin in modern history PHOTO

The United States Mint said it will release a non-circular gold coin shaped like the Liberty Bell to commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, marking a first in modern American coinage.

“The half-ounce ‘Liberty Bell’ gold coin is the first non-circular coin in modern U.S. history. <...> The Liberty Bell has long served as a symbol of freedom and equality for many Americans, but no symbol has carried as much meaning as the revolutionary struggle for sovereignty that led to the birth of the United States,” the Mint said in a statement.

The obverse features the Liberty Bell alongside the inscriptions LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST, as well as the dates 1776–2026. The reverse shows a building on Independence Square in Philadelphia—where the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776 and where the Liberty Bell was originally located—set against a backdrop of fireworks.

Additional inscriptions on the bell’s yoke include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM. The coin also carries a $250 denomination, a weight of 1 OZ., and a gold purity of .9999 FINE GOLD.

The coin is scheduled to go on sale on July 16.

Separately, a second commemorative coin marking the anniversary, featuring President Donald Trump, has been unanimously approved by the Commission of Fine Arts. It will be struck in 24-karat gold as part of a collector series not intended for circulation.

By Tamilla Hasanova