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American Women quarters

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American Women quarter
United States
Value25 cents (0.25 US dollars)
Mass5.67 g (standard)
6.34 g (silver proof) g
Diameter24.26 mm (0.955 in)
Thickness1.75 mm (0.069 in)
Edge119 reeds
Composition91.67% Cu 8.33% Ni (standard)
99.9% Ag (silver proof)
Years of minting2022–2025
Obverse
DesignGeorge Washington
DesignerLaura Gardin Fraser
Design date1931
Reverse
DesignVarious; up to five designs per year (inaugural design shown)
DesignerVarious

The American Women quarters program is a series of quarters featuring notable women in U.S. history, commemorating the centennial of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.[1] The United States Mint is issuing five designs each year from 2022 to 2025 for 20 total designs. One woman will be honored on the reverse of each coin, selected for "contributions to the United States in a wide spectrum of accomplishments and fields, including but not limited to suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, and arts."[2] The obverse depicts George Washington with a new design.[3] Most of the women featured have been from ethnic minority groups.[4][5]

The program was authorized by the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, sponsored by Representatives Barbara Lee and Anthony Gonzalez.[6] The original proposal was for 56 quarters, honoring one woman from each state and territory,[7] but with a set of circulating coins intended to be released in 2026 for the United States Semiquincentennial, it was amended to be shorter. One of the five quarters in that set will also feature a woman.[1] It replaced an alternative proposal of quarters featuring animals or endangered species.[8] It will be followed in 2027–2030 with a series depicting youth sports.[9]

In addition to circulating coins, the series is also minted as a silver proof set.[10]

It succeeds the America the Beautiful quarters and Washington Crossing the Delaware quarter. Some coin collectors were critical of the "seemingly unending" proposal to continue to issue five new quarter designs every year for a third decade.[11] Many numismatists are more interested in redesigns of other denominations and less frequent releases.[12]

Designs[edit]

Obverse[edit]

Laura Gardin Fraser's portrait of George Washington, which was originally submitted in 1931, was selected by the Commission of Fine Arts and Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee to appear on the obverse of the American Women quarters. The right-facing bust had been used for the 1999 George Washington half eagle for the 200th anniversary of Washington's death.[13]

Reverse[edit]

The United States Secretary of the Treasury selects the women featured for the series in consultation with the Smithsonian Institution's American Women's History Initiative, the National Women's History Museum, and the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues. Recommendations for women honorees were solicited from the public in 2021.[14][15]

2022[edit]

Honorees featured in 2022 are:[16]

  • Maya Angelou, the first Black woman featured on U.S. currency.[17] Designed by Emily Damstra, who said her depiction of Angelou "convey[s] the passionate way she lived". She indicated that the bird in flight that silhouetted Angelou's arms was modeled on a Purple martin, which is native to Angelou's home state of Arkansas, and symbolized her autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.[18] Oprah Winfrey called the design "a true treasure" and "an incredible moment" to commemorate her friend and poet's life.[19] Because a bust portrait was not permitted, Damstra chose to limit the details in the quarter, balancing negative space.[20]
  • Sally Ride, the first LGBT person on U.S. currency.[21] Her partner Tam O'Shaughnessy said Ride's design by the Space Shuttle's window reflected her quote, "But when I wasn't working, I was usually at a window looking down at Earth." It shows her wearing a patch with an element Ride designed for the STS-7 mission that represented her being the first American woman in space.[22] The design was unveiled at the 2021 Space Symposium.[23]
  • Wilma Mankiller; design released at an event at the Cherokee National Capitol. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said, "Chief Mankiller was the voice that first elevated Native American tribes and tribal issues in this country and served as the first female Chief in a role dominated by men during a time that the Cherokee Nation was first getting its footing after decades of suppression by the U.S. Government[...] She fought for civil rights and equality, and self-sufficiency for the Cherokee people, and was the anchor establishing what has now become the largest tribal health care system in the country. We are so proud she is forever honored on this coin by the U.S. Mint."[24]
  • Adelina Otero-Warren, the first Hispanic American on U.S. currency.[25]
  • Anna May Wong, the first Asian American on U.S. currency.[26]

2023[edit]

Honorees featured in 2023 are:[27]

  • Bessie Coleman; design released at an event at the Federal Aviation Administration. FAA Deputy Administrator Brad Mims said the coin "[is] a valuable symbol of an important chapter in U.S. aviation history."[28]
  • Jovita Idar; design released at an event at the University of Texas at San Antonio.[29]
  • Edith Kanakaʻole, the first native Hawaiian on U.S. currency.[30] The design was released at an event at the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo, where Kanakaʻole previously taught. Designer Emily Damstra said, "It was a joy to become aware of Edith Kanakaʻole’s legacy as I developed a design for her quarter[...] I came to understand that her deep connection to the land—her home in Hawaiʻi near the Maunakea volcano—played a large role in her life and work. To best honor the various ways she made an impact, I felt that the design should emphasize her relationship to that environment."[31]
  • Eleanor Roosevelt
  • Maria Tallchief, who also appears on the 2023 Sacagawea dollar.[32] Designer Ben Sowards said, "Although her artistry, precision, and technical skill made her one of the most renowned ballerinas of her time, it is Maria Tallchief’s courage, perseverance, and strength of character that I hope are evident in the design[...] Her legacy continues to inspire us to pursue our dreams."[33]

2024[edit]

Honorees featured in 2024 are:[34]

  • Pauli Murray; Murray's niece Rosita Stevens-Holsey said, "When I see my aunt's face looking out through the letters of the word 'hope', it brings to mind that she never lost hope in a society and world that needed to change to embrace the rights of all humans. Her selection as one of the honorees is validation and a testament to more than 50 years of achievements in social justice, women's rights, civil rights, and human rights."[35]
  • Patsy Takemoto Mink; the design honors Mink's work on the Title IX Amendment of the Higher Education Act, renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act in 2002.[36]
  • Mary Edwards Walker; Oswego Town Historian George DeMass, who advised the U.S. Mint on the design, said of the process, "The committees were so concerned about accuracy, which I’m very glad[...] They would ask questions like, ‘Do you happen to know what hairstyle she was wearing during the war?’ Which, you know, was 150 years ago, but fortunately we had pictures."[37]
  • Celia Cruz, the first Afro-Latina on U.S. currency.[38][39] Cruz's former manager Omer Pardillo said, "It's a significant honor to become the first Afro-Latina, who, despite her humble beginnings, managed to captivate the world with her exceptional talent and charisma[...] All Latinos should be very proud of this enormous accomplishment as Celia not only represents Cubans, but Latinos all over the world[...] She belonged to the world."[40]
  • Zitkala-Ša

2025[edit]

Honorees to be featured in 2025 are:[41]

List of designs[edit]

Year No. Woman Design Elements depicted Artist(s) Release date Mintage
Sculptor

(Medallic Artist)

Designer

(Artistic Infusion Program)

Denver Philadelphia San Francisco Total
2022[16] 1 Maya Angelou Angelou with her arms outstretched, in front of a flying bird and sunrise.[42] Craig Campbell Emily Damstra January 3, 2022[43] 258,200,000 237,600,000 303,480 496,103,480
2 Sally Ride Ride next to a Space Shuttle window, with Earth in the background.[44] Phebe Hemphill Elana Hagler March 22, 2022 278,000,000 275,200,000 304,000 553,504,000
3 Wilma Mankiller Mankiller wearing a shawl, by a seven-pointed Cherokee Nation star and ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎠᏰᎵ ("Cherokee Nation" in Cherokee syllabary).[45] Benjamin Sowards June 6, 2022 296,800,000 310,000,000 304,680 607,104,680
4 Nina Otero-Warren Otero-Warren with three Yucca flowers and the Spanish inscription Voto para la mujer (Vote for Women).[46] Craig Campbell Chris Costello August 15, 2022 219,200,000 225,000,000 305,560 444,505,560
5 Anna May Wong Wong surrounded by marquee lights.[47] John P. McGraw Emily Damstra October 25, 2022 240,800,000 226,800,000 303,080 467,903,080
2023[27] 6 Bessie Coleman Coleman in leather flying helmet looking into the clouds toward a flying biplane. The inscription "6.15.1921" is the date she received her international pilot's license.[48] Eric David Custer Chris Costello January 3, 2023 317,200,000 302,000,000 TBD 619,200,000
7 Edith Kanakaʻole Kanakaʻole, with her hair and lei poʻo (head lei) blending into a Hawaiian landscape. The inscription "E hō mai ka ʻike" translates to "granting the wisdom" and refers to the role of hula and chants in cultural preservation. This design features the denomination shown as "25¢" instead of "Quarter Dollar" used on all other previous designs.[49] Renata Gordon Emily Damstra March 27, 2023 368,600,000 372,800,000 TBD 741,400,000
8 Eleanor Roosevelt Roosevelt stands by the scales of justice in front of a representation of the globe, above the inscription "Universal Declaration of Human Rights".[50] Craig Campbell Don Everhart June 5, 2023 271,800,000 284,000,000 TBD 555,800,000
9 Jovita Idar Idar standing with her hands clasped. Her body is made up of inscriptions representing her accomplishments and the newspapers for which she wrote.[51] John P. McGraw August 14, 2023 184,800,000 190,600,000 TBD 378,600,000
10 Maria Tallchief Maria Tallchief spotlit in balletic pose. Her Osage name, 𐓏𐓘𐓸𐓮𐓟-𐓍𐓪͘𐓬𐓘, which translates to "Two Standards", is written in the Osage script.[52] Joseph Menna Benjamin Sowards October 23, 2023 184,800,000 185,800,000 TBD 370,600,000
2024[34] 11 Pauli Murray Portrait of Rev. Dr. Murray inside the word "HOPE," with the quotation "A song in a weary throat," from her poem "Dark Testament."[53] Joseph Menna Emily Damstra February 1, 2024 185,500,000 168,400,000 400,000 354,200,000
12 Patsy Mink Mink standing outside the Capitol holding a copy of Title IX and wearing a lei, with legend "Equal Opportunity in Education"[54] John P. McGraw Beth Zaiken March 25, 2024 187,200,000 210,200,000 TBD 397,400,000
13 Mary Edwards Walker Dr. Walker wearing her Medal of Honor.[55] Phebe Hemphill June 3, 2024 TBD TBD TBD TBD
14 Celia Cruz Cruz performing with a microphone, with her catchphrase “¡AZÚCAR!” ("Sugar!)[56] Phebe Hemphill August 19, 2024 TBD TBD TBD TBD
15 Zitkala-Ša Zitkala-Ša in traditional Yankton Sioux dress and holding a book. A stylized sun represents her Sun Dance Opera, while a red cardinal symbolizes her name, which means “Red Bird.” A Yankton Sioux-inspired diamond pattern sits underneath the sun.[57] Renata Gordon Don Everhart TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD
2025[41] 16 Ida B. Wells TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD
17 Juliette Gordon Low TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD
18 Vera Rubin TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD
19 Stacey Milbern TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD
20 Althea Gibson TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD

References[edit]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 signed by president". CoinWorld. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  2. ^ Lee, Barbara (2021-01-13). "Text - H.R.1923 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020". congress.gov. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  3. ^ Fischer, Debra; Masto, Catherine Cortez. "American women who shaped history are coming soon to quarters, just like George Washington". USA Today. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
  4. ^ Foust, Emaline (March 18, 2022). "You Suffered as a Woman and a Minority? You Oughta be on Quarters".
  5. ^ "Rulers, Goddesses and Activists: Portraits of Women on Coins". NewsClick. January 14, 2022.
  6. ^ "As Part of Women's History Month, Reps. Lee & Gonzalez Lead Bipartisan Effort to Issue Quarters Honoring Prominent American Women | Barbara Lee - Congresswoman for the 13th District of California". lee.house.gov. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  7. ^ Wattles, Jackie (2018-03-15). "Lawmakers push to put women on quarters". CNNMoney. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  8. ^ "Interview with Todd Martin of the United States Mint | Coin Update". news.coinupdate.com. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  9. ^ "Gonzalez bill to honor American women on the quarter passes U.S. House of Representatives". U.S. Representative Anthony Gonzalez. 2020-09-23. Archived from the original on 2020-09-27. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  10. ^ "Silver Proof Set for American Women Quarters". Numismatic News. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  11. ^ "Monday Morning Brief for Oct. 5, 2020: Too ambitious?". CoinWorld. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  12. ^ Golino, Louis (2021-01-28). "The Coin Analyst: Have Circulating Commemorative Programs Outlasted Their Welcome?". CoinWeek. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  13. ^ "Fraser portrait to finally debut on quarter in 2022". CoinWorld. Retrieved 2021-04-25.
  14. ^ Pietsch, Bryan (May 9, 2021). "Maya Angelou and Sally Ride Will Be Honored on Quarters". The New York Times. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  15. ^ "American Women Quarters Program" (Press release). United States Mint. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b "United States Mint Announces Designs for 2022 American Women Quarters™ Program Coins" (Press release). United States Mint. October 6, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  17. ^ Franklin, Jonathan (2022-01-10). "The poet Maya Angelou is the first Black woman to be featured on a U.S. quarter". NPR. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
  18. ^ White, Katie (2022-01-17). "Maya Angelou Is the First Black Woman to Appear on the U.S. Quarter. We Asked Its Designer to Walk Us Through Its Symbolism". Artnet News. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
  19. ^ "Oprah Reacts to Holding the Maya Angelou Quarter for the First Time". Oprah Daily. 2022-01-24. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
  20. ^ Brandon, Elissaveta M. (2022-01-26). "The fascinating design story behind the new Maya Angelou quarters". Fast Company. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
  21. ^ "Sally Ride will become first out LGBTQ person on US currency". Metro Weekly. 2021-10-18. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
  22. ^ "The new Sally Ride quarter has a lot of symbolism – Sally Ride Science". sallyridescience.ucsd.edu. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
  23. ^ Isaac, O'Dell (6 April 2022). "U.S. Mint unveils Sally Ride quarter at Space Symposium in Colorado Springs". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
  24. ^ Staff, Callie Morris, KTUL (2022-05-21). "Wilma Mankiller quarter to be released during ceremony in Cherokee Nation". KTUL. Retrieved 2022-05-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  25. ^ "These Queer Icons Will Be the First LGBTQ+ People Featured on U.S. Currency". them. 2021-10-12. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
  26. ^ "Anna May Wong will become the first Asian American to be on U.S. currency". NPR. 2022-10-18. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  27. ^ Jump up to: a b "United States Mint Announces Designs for 2023 American Women Quarters™ Program Coins" (Press release). United States Mint. August 29, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  28. ^ "U.S. Mint Presents its New Bessie Coleman Commemorative Quarter to the FAA" (Press release). Feb 24, 2023. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  29. ^ "UTSA, United States Mint, National Women's History Museum celebrate Jovita Idar quarter release". UTSA Today. Aug 10, 2023. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  30. ^ "Edith Kanaka'ole is the first Hawaiian woman to grace a U.S. quarter". NPR. 2023-06-02. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  31. ^ "Edith Kanakaʻole quarter released into circulation". University of Hawaiʻi News. 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  32. ^ "$1 coin, quarter celebrate legendary Osage ballerina". KOSU. 2023-02-20. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  33. ^ "US Mint Releases Maria Tallchief (Osage) Quarter". Native News Online. 2023-11-07. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  34. ^ Jump up to: a b "United States Mint Announces Designs for 2024 American Women Quarters™ Program Coins" (Press release). United States Mint. July 20, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  35. ^ "Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray on 11th American Women's Quarter". Pauli Murray Center. 2023-08-10. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  36. ^ "Patsy Takemoto Mink honored with U.S. quarter". University of Hawaiʻi News. 2023-07-25. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  37. ^ Connolly, Abigail (2023-07-25). "Dr. Mary Walker quarter design finalized by U.S. Mint". WRVO. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  38. ^ O'Connell-Domenech, Alejandra (February 8, 2023). "Celia Cruz to be first Afro-Latina on US currency". The Hill.
  39. ^ Valdivia, Pablo (February 7, 2023). "Queen of salsa Celia Cruz will be the first Afro Latina to appear on a U.S. quarter". NPR.
  40. ^ Burga, Solcyré (2023-08-03). "The Story Behind the Celia Cruz Quarter Coming in 2024". Time Magazine. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  41. ^ Jump up to: a b "United States Mint Announces Designs for 2025 American Women Quarters™ Program Coins" (Press release). United States Mint. October 17, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  42. ^ "Maya Angelou Quarter | American Women Quarters | U.S. Mint". United States Mint. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  43. ^ "American Women QuartersTM Program" (Press release). Federal Reserve Bank. 2022-01-10. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
  44. ^ "Sally Ride Quarter | American Women Quarters | U.S. Mint". United States Mint. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  45. ^ "Wilma Mankiller Quarter | American Women Quarters | U.S. Mint". United States Mint. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  46. ^ "Nina Otero-Warren Quarter | American Women Quarters | U.S. Mint". United States Mint. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  47. ^ "Anna May Wong Quarter | American Women Quarters | U.S. Mint". United States Mint. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  48. ^ "Bessie Coleman Quarter | American Women Quarters | U.S. Mint". United States Mint. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  49. ^ "Edith Kanakaʻole Quarter | American Women Quarters | U.S. Mint". United States Mint. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  50. ^ "Eleanor Roosevelt Quarter | American Women Quarters | U.S. Mint". United States Mint. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  51. ^ "Jovita Idar Quarter | American Women Quarters | U.S. Mint". United States Mint. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  52. ^ "Maria Tallchief Quarter | American Women Quarters | U.S. Mint". United States Mint. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  53. ^ "Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray Quarter | American Women Quarters | U.S. Mint". United States Mint. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  54. ^ "Patsy Takemoto Mink Quarter | American Women Quarters | U.S. Mint". United States Mint. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  55. ^ "Dr. Mary Edwards Walker Quarter | American Women Quarters | U.S. Mint". United States Mint. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  56. ^ "Celia Cruz Quarter | American Women Quarters | U.S. Mint". United States Mint. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  57. ^ "Zitkala-Ša Quarter | American Women Quarters | U.S. Mint". United States Mint. Retrieved 2023-10-24.

External links[edit]

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