U.S. Mint to Release Freedom 250 Race Medal

IndyCar will race on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for the first time. To celebrate this historic race and the 250th anniversary of the United States, the U.S. Mint announced it will release the “Freedom 250 Race Medal” on August 21, 2026.

The medal commemorates the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, which will be held on August 22 and 23. The race will run for 147 laps, totaling 250 miles, on a 1.7-mile course around the National Mall. Landmarks such as the U.S. Capitol Building and the Washington Monument line the route.

U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis stated the medal's significance.

“The Freedom 250 Race Medal captures our national pride, technological advancement, and the tradition of open-wheel racing, while also celebrating the first-ever IndyCar Series race in our nation's capital.”

Hollis added that the medal will be a perfect collectible for both motorsport enthusiasts and numismatists to commemorate the 250th anniversary.

IndyCar in the Capital and the Motorsport Pioneer on the Reverse

The medal’s obverse features an IndyCar inscribed with “USA” against the backdrop of the U.S. Capitol. The surrounding inscriptions read “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “FREEDOM 250.”

The reverse displays a portrait of Roger Penske, one of the most prominent figures in American motorsports. It is inscribed with “MOTORSPORT PIONEER” and “ROGER PENSKE” to honor his achievements. Team Penske, led by Mr. Penske, has a record 20 wins at the Indianapolis 500, and he owns both INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

This medal is produced at the Philadelphia Mint with a matte finish.

Specifications are a diameter of 1.205 inches and a weight of 11.340 grams. The composition is 8.33% nickel with the remainder copper, which is the same size, weight, and composition as the U.S. 50-cent coin. The medal has a plain edge with no reeding and carries no mint mark.

The price is $60. The product and mintage limit is set at 15,000, but the final number of medals produced will be determined by the quantity ordered during the pre-order window. The Mint will accept orders until this limit is reached and will not produce additional medals after the period ends. Each medal is encapsulated and presented in a black box bearing the official U.S. Mint seal.

Pre-orders will be accepted on the U.S. Mint's official website from 12:00 PM Eastern Time on August 21 until 3:00 PM ET on September 4. Shipping is scheduled to begin on September 28.