Last month, the United States Mint announced the official designs for the 2026 American Innovation $1 coins. The four designs for next year will honor the states of Iowa, Wisconsin, California, and Minnesota.
Authorized by Public Law 115-197, the program began in 2018 with an introductory coin and is following up with four coins per year. The multi-year series aims to honor innovation and innovators for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five United States territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Northern Mariana Islands).
The Mint works directly with executives from each state or city to determine the subject matter or persons significant to that territory and its role in the nation. While the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) give recommendations on designs, the Secretary of the Treasury makes the final decision for each coin.
A dramatic representation of the Statue of Liberty is seen on the obverse, remaining the constant design throughout the series. “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “$1” are inscribed per usual as the stylized gear privy mark representing industry and innovation has an added component special for the 2026-dated coins. In keeping with the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, the Mint has also incorporated a Liberty Bell with the inscription 250 atop the gear. Mintage year, mint mark and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” are incused on the edge of the coins depending on the strike.
Iowa
Showcasing his groundbreaking work developing crops capable of feeding a growing population, Dr. Norman Borlaug is the honoree on this design. He is depicted holding wheat stalks with the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IOWA, NORMAN BORLAUG, and FATHER OF THE GREEN REVOLUTION surrounding him. Artistic Infusion Program Designer (AIP) Don Everhart designed the reverse while Mint Medallic Artist Eric David Custer sculpted it.
Wisconsin
The Cray-1 supercomputer, which helped the government to predict the weather, control space flight, break codes, and map seismic hazards, is featured on the obverse of the design. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WISCONSIN, and CRAY-1 SUPERCOMPUTER is also inscribed. AIP design Paul Romano designed the reverse while Mint Medallic Artist John P. McGraw sculpted it.
California
A young Steve Jobs is depicted sitting in front of a California landscape for this design created by Elana Hagler (AIP). His posture and expression are reflective of how the environment helped shape his vision to transform technology into something as organic as nature. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CALIFORNIA, STEVE JOBS, and MAKE SOMETHING WONDERFUL are inscribed as well on the Phebe Hemphill sculpted design.
Minnesota
The design featured for Minnesota features a 1940s-era truck with an early front-mounted refrigeration unit. It will honor the development of mobile refrigeration with a focus on Minneapolis-based company U.S. Thermo Control (now called Thermo King). UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, MINNESOTA, and MOBILE REFRIGERATION are inscribed. Beth Zaiken (AIP) designed the image while Mint Medallic Artist Joseph V. Noorigian sculpted it.
Source: United States Mint