U.S. Mint Unveils Unique $1 Coin to Commemorate Steve Jobs’ Influence as an Innovator
The visionary Steve Jobs transformed the globe with his technological breakthroughs. From his role in the creation of Macintosh, the Apple II, and the iPhone, to his significant involvement with Pixar in its formative years, his impact positioned him among the foremost innovators in American history. In tribute to this legacy, the United States Mint is set to unveil a unique Steve Jobs coin within the 2026 American Innovation $1 Coin Program.
The artwork portrays a youthful Jobs, seated cross-legged, donning his iconic turtleneck, jeans, and sneakers. The backdrop illustrates a northern California scenery, featuring the undulating hills adorned with oak trees. “[Jobs’] pose and demeanor, as he is depicted in a contemplative moment,” states the U.S. Mint, “demonstrates how this setting fueled his vision to turn intricate technology into a form as instinctive and natural as the environment itself.”
The inscriptions on the coin pay homage to both California, the represented state, and Jobs. Additionally, the coin showcases the expression “Make Something Wonderful,” a fragment of a broader quotation by Jobs that states: “There’s lots of ways to be as a person, and some people express their deep appreciation in different ways, but one of the ways that I believe people express their appreciation to the rest of humanity is to make something wonderful and put it out there.” This phrase is also the title of a posthumously published book compiling Jobs’ writings, interviews, and speeches.
The coin’s imagery was crafted by Elana Hagler, the artistic infusion program designer for the U.S. Mint, and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, a Mint medallic artist. The obverse design includes a striking depiction of the Statue of Liberty in profile alongside the inscription “In God We Trust.”
The other three figures included in the 2026 American Innovation $1 Coin Program are Dr. Norman Borlaug from Iowa, an agricultural trailblazer recognized as “the father of the Green Revolution;” the Cray-1 supercomputer, envisioned in Wisconsin; and mobile refrigeration, invented in Minnesota, which revolutionized the trade of perishable goods.
Jobs was chosen to symbolize California following a nomination by Governor Gavin Newsom earlier this year. “Innovation and California are intertwined, and Steve Jobs epitomizes the distinctive type of innovation that California represents: innovation not motivated solely by commerce, but as a means to fundamentally alter the world,” remarked Newsom.
The $1 Steve Jobs coin is slated for release next year, priced at $13.25. To keep informed about more limited-edition coins, check the U.S. Mint website.
In recognition of Steve Jobs’ legacy, the United States Mint will launch a distinct coin as part of its 2026 American Innovation $1 Coin Program.
The design was executed by Elana Hagler and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill.
U.S. Mint: [Website](https://www.usmint.gov/)
Sources: [United States Mint Releases 2026 American Innovation® $1 Coin Program Designs](https://www.usmint.gov/news/press-releases/united-states-mint-releases-2026-american-innovation-one-dollar-coin-program-designs?srsltid=AfmBOoqWFjH17ZnVe3-2kJIe26ryAc6ljjKhAfaKj4qBtFCVloSNdl2Y); [Apple’s Steve Jobs to Appear on $1 U.S. Coin: ‘Make Something Wonderful’](https://variety.com/2025/digital/news/steve-jobs-1-dollar-us-coin-american-innovation-1236554423/)
All images via U.S. Mint.
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