The United States Mint has issued a new commemorative half-dollar coin bearing the date of the September 11th terrorist attacks and the solemn pledge “NEVER FORGET,” as the nation prepares to mark a quarter century since that tragic day.
Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent announced the coin’s release on Thursday, stating that as America approaches the 25th anniversary of September 11th, the nation honors the memory of those lost and the courage of those who risked everything to save their fellow citizens. The Treasury Secretary emphasized that a quarter century later, the promise to the victims and their families remains unchanged.
The coin’s obverse features Lady Liberty prominently, with the words “NEVER FORGET” encircling the fateful date. The reverse side depicts Liberty passing her torch to a new generation, symbolizing the continuation of American values and vigilance. The reverse also bears the inscriptions “E pluribus unum,” “Half Dollar,” and “Knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.”
The Philadelphia Mint has struck these circulating-quality coins, which became available for pre-order through September 25th on the Mint’s website. The Treasury Department indicated that shipments were expected to begin December 3rd. Purchasers may order a 20-coin roll for $40 or a 100-coin bag for $100.
This release follows closely on the heels of the Mint’s issuance of one-dollar coins featuring President Donald Trump’s likeness, created to mark America’s 250th anniversary. The Mint has maintained a tradition of commemorating the September 11th attacks through various numismatic offerings. For the tenth anniversary in 2011, it released a one-ounce silver September 11 National Medal depicting Lady Liberty holding a “Lamp of Remembrance” with the inscription “ALWAYS REMEMBER.”
The events of September 11, 2001, remain etched in the national consciousness. Nearly 3,000 Americans lost their lives that day when Islamic terrorists affiliated with Al-Qaeda hijacked commercial aircraft and deliberately flew them into the World Trade Center towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. A fourth hijacked plane crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers courageously fought back against the terrorists, preventing what intelligence officials believe would have been an attack on the United States Capitol or the White House.
The United States Mint, established by Congress in 1792, became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. It continues to serve as the nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, producing billions of coins annually for commerce while also creating commemorative pieces that mark significant moments in American history.
This new half-dollar serves as both currency and remembrance, a tangible reminder that the nation’s commitment to honor those lost on September 11th endures across generations.
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