U.S. Mint’s 2026 Innovation $1 Coins Honor Steve Jobs and Other Innovators

The United States Mint has revealed the designs for its 2026 American Innovation $1 coins, continuing a program that began in 2018 to celebrate pioneering individuals, groups, and inventions from each state and territory. One of the 2026 reverses depicts a young Steve Jobs seated cross‑legged in front of a California landscape, intended to symbolize how the environment helped shape his intuitive approach to technology design.

The Innovation program works with state officials to select imagery that represents local achievements. For 2026, the Mint’s selections include a mix of technology, agriculture and engineering milestones.

• Steve Jobs (California): A contemplative portrait of a young Jobs amid rolling hills and oaks, illustrating his design philosophy.
• Dr. Norman Borlaug (Iowa): Honoring the agronomist credited with breakthroughs that helped increase crop resilience and global food production.
• Cray‑1 supercomputer (Wisconsin): An aerial view celebrating early advances in high‑performance computing.
• Mobile refrigeration (Minnesota): A 1940s truck with an early front‑mounted refrigeration unit representing innovations in cold‑chain logistics.

These coins are part of a broader effort by the Mint to showcase contributions from states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. The designs are chosen in coordination with governors and local representatives to ensure the images reflect regional significance.

For more details, see the Mint’s American Innovation dollar program page and the original coverage at Engadget.

Discussion: What do you think about featuring contemporary tech figures like Steve Jobs on circulating coinage — fitting tribute or controversial choice?