The Nation: Pocketful of History

Starting this week, Americans will be able to jingle part of the nation's Bicentennial celebration in their pockets: handsome new coins specially designed and minted for the occasion.

The faces of the coins will be familiar, except for the date, which will be 1776-1976. But the reverse sides will be totally new. The Kennedy half-dollar, which will become available this week, will feature Philadelphia's Independence Hall. Some time next month, the U.S. Mint will start releasing Washington quarters that will carry the image of a colonial drummer boy. In September, the Eisenhower dollar will appear, graced by the Liberty Bell and cratered moon.

The new coins are meant to be used, and while a goodly number will surely be squirreled away as collector's items, there should be more than enough to go around. The Government plans to issue 300 million dollars, 550 million half-dollars and 1.6 billion quarters. They are meant to be, in the words of Mary Brooks, director of the mint, "small pieces of our historical and cultural heritage."