New U.S. Mint director highlights new coin designs celebrating nation’s 250th birthday at Schaumburg convention

New U.S Mint Director Paul Hollis began a lifelong passion with coins at the age of 7.

He felt his grandmother gave him a direct link to the past with the Peace dollar she had saved since the Great Depression.

Thursday in Schaumburg, he proudly discussed the future of American coins. Soon, dual-date 1776-2026 dimes, quarters, and half-dollars will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in July.

His advice? Start paying attention to your change now.

Hollis believes most Americans will love the new designs on “a little metallic canvas that might last forever.”

He received the Q. David Bowers Award for lifetime achievement in coin study at the Central States Numismatic Society convention, which runs through Saturday at the Schaumburg Convention Center.

Not all his predecessors at the U.S. Mint began as young collectors. However, many found a deep passion for the history of currency during their time as director, Hollis believes.

But that’s also why the Central States Numismatic Society sees Hollis as something special — one of their own in the job — and presented him with the award, President Mitch Ernst said.

Though the new semiquincentennial coins were designed and scheduled for release long before he took the oath of office Jan. 5, Hollis said it’s always difficult to know what elements of a new design will be long-enduring.

For example, George Washington appeared on the quarter in 1932 to celebrate his 200th birthday. No one expected he would still be on the 25-cent piece nearly a century later. Meanwhile, the dime's size and shape is representative of original American coinage.

But in the 234-year history of the U.S. mint, there’s never been as busy a time of redesign as now, Hollis said.

While joking about receiving compliments for the new coins, he clarified that as director, he doesn’t have a strong personal say in the designs.

Despite his deep knowledge of coins, his job is to run a factory. The products result from a complicated, thoughtful decision-making process.

Hollis began his government career in 2011, elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives. He later joined the state’s Board of Education but resigned to become mint director, having applied for the position two years ago.