US Mint launches $1 Steve Jobs innovation coin on sale today

At a glance:

• The US Mint's $1 Steve Jobs Innovation coin goes on sale today, May 12 at 12 PM Eastern, priced at $61 for a 25-roll bundle ($2.44 each) or $154.50 for a 100-coin bag ($1.55 each).
• Jobs is depicted as a younger man sitting cross-legged against a California landscape of rolling hills and oak trees, with "Make something wonderful" inscribed on the tails side.
• Coins minted in Philadelphia and Denver are available today; California-minted versions arrive in the third quarter of 2026.

A new chapter in the Innovation coin series

The US Mint is selling its latest $1 Innovation coin today, May 12 at 12 PM Eastern, honoring Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. This is the latest entry in an annual program the Mint has run since 2018, designed to celebrate American innovation and the pioneering efforts of individuals or groups who shaped the country's technological and cultural landscape.

The 2026 Innovation coin was unveiled late last year with a design that depicts Jobs as a younger man sitting cross-legged in front of a quintessential California landscape of rolling hills and oak trees. The Mint described the imagery in a statement: "His posture and expression, as he is captured in a moment of reflection, show how this environment inspired his vision to transform complex technology into something as intuitive and organic as nature itself."

Design and inscriptions

The tails side of the coin carries Jobs' name along with the words "Make something wonderful," a phrase closely associated with his philosophy of design and user experience. The heads side features a profile of the Statue of Liberty alongside a Liberty Bell bearing the inscription "250," marking the United States' 250th anniversary. On the edge of the coin, buyers will find the mint mark and the year of minting.

Collectors can choose between coins minted in Philadelphia or Denver when purchasing today. Coins minted in California will not be available until the third quarter of 2026, giving the Mint time to produce the West Coast run of the series.

Pricing and purchasing options

The coin is available in two bulk formats:

• 25-roll bundles for $61, which works out to roughly $2.44 per coin
• 100-coin bags for $154.50, or about $1.55 per coin

These prices reflect the standard premium the Mint charges for its collectible and commemorative products, which are sold directly to the public rather than circulated through everyday commerce.

Why it matters for collectors and tech history

The Innovation coin program has become a fixture in the numismatic calendar, and the Jobs selection signals the Mint's willingness to honor tech industry figures alongside more traditional icons of American achievement. Jobs, who died in 2011, remains one of the most recognizable names in Silicon Valley history, and a federal coin bearing his likeness is likely to draw both Apple loyalists and mainstream coin collectors.

The inclusion of the 250th-anniversary Liberty Bell element ties the product to a broader national milestone, potentially boosting mainstream appeal beyond the tech community. Whether the coin appreciates in value over time will depend on secondary-market demand, but the early pricing suggests the Mint expects strong initial interest.