1976 National Bicentennial Medal Set – Silver & Brass Editions | US Mint (310977)

In 1976, the United States celebrated its 200th anniversary—a moment steeped in reflection, pride, and a renewed sense of possibility. As the country honored its revolutionary roots, the US Mint crafted something tangible, a piece of history encased in metal to mark the occasion: the 1976 National Bicentennial Medal Set.

This beautiful set includes both a silver and brass version of the medal, presented together in a sleek box—a treasure chest of memories and symbols that echo the past while speaking to the present.

Lady Liberty: The Beacon of Hope

On the obverse of each medal stands the indomitable Statue of Liberty, a figure known to millions around the globe as a symbol of freedom and opportunity. With her torch held high, she illuminates not just the shores of New York Harbor, but the path America has traveled since its birth in 1776. The artistry of her likeness captures the hope that has long fueled the American dream—a beacon guiding not only a young nation but generations of immigrants and seekers.

In the gleam of the silver version, Lady Liberty’s form takes on an almost ethereal quality, as if cast from the very moonlight that once shone upon the first daring revolutionaries. The brass version, by contrast, grounds her in a warm, earthly glow, connecting her ideals to the toil and courage of those who built the nation from the ground up.

"We the People": A Timeless Declaration

Flip the medal over, and you are greeted with three simple yet profound words: “We the People.” This phrase, carved into the reverse, forms the bedrock of American identity—a reminder that the power of the nation lies not in its monuments or leaders, but in its people. The words seem to hum with the same revolutionary fervor that once stirred the Founding Fathers, urging future generations to continue the experiment they set in motion.

Above this phrase, the Presidential Seal asserts its presence, symbolizing the unity of governance that has, for better or worse, held the republic together through war and peace, through hardship and triumph. Surrounding the seal is the woven Bicentennial Star, a geometric tribute to the American Revolution. This star isn’t just a decorative detail—it’s an emblem of the interconnectedness of the nation’s past, present, and future, a tapestry of ideals that continues to evolve with each passing year.

Bridging Two Centuries

These medals serve as more than just a remembrance of America’s first 200 years—they are a bridge between eras. As the world celebrated the Bicentennial, America was in the midst of great change, confronting the aftershocks of civil rights movements, social upheavals, and technological innovations that would soon shape modern life. Today, as we hold these medals in hand, they remind us that the challenges of yesterday still resonate. We stand, as those in 1976 did, at a crossroads of history, poised between tradition and transformation.

The woven Bicentennial star also carries a deeper significance—a reminder that history is not linear. Much like the star, the journey of a nation is complex and intertwined, reflecting the struggles, successes, and enduring hope of its people.

A Treasure for the Present and Future

Opening the box that holds these medals feels like unlocking a story, one that stretches from the cobblestone streets of revolutionary Boston to the sprawling cities of today. With each medal, whether in silver’s cool gleam or brass’s warm glow, you hold not just metal but memory, not just artistry but history itself.

These pieces offer a reflection of a nation that continues to redefine itself, even today. The 1976 National Bicentennial Medal Set isn’t just a collector’s item—it’s a living connection to America’s past and a reminder of the enduring ideals of liberty and unity that will carry us forward.