American Women quarters

American Women quarters. This program is a series of circulating commemorative coins issued by the United States Mint from 2022 to 2025. Authorized by the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, it celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of notable women from a diverse range of fields to the history and development of the United States. Each year features five new reverse designs honoring a different individual, while the obverse depicts a portrait of George Washington originally sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser.

Background and legislation

The initiative emerged from legislative efforts to feature more diverse American narratives on the nation's currency. The Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, which also authorized the American Innovation dollars series, mandated this program. Key proponents in Congress, including Representatives Barbara Lee and Anthony Gonzalez, championed the bill to honor underrepresented groups. The Secretary of the Treasury, advised by the Smithsonian Institution's American Women's History Initiative, the National Women’s History Museum, and the Congressional Bipartisan Women’s Caucus, was tasked with selecting honorees. This process aimed to include women from ethnically, racially, and geographically diverse backgrounds who have made significant contributions in areas such as suffrage, civil rights, government, the arts, and science.

Design and specifications

The obverse of each coin features a restored portrait of George Washington originally created by sculptor Laura Gardin Fraser in 1931 for a bicentennial commemorative. This design was recommended by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee and approved by the Secretary of the Treasury. The reverse designs are unique for each honoree, created by artists from the United States Mint's Artistic Infusion Program and sculpted by Medallic Artists at the Philadelphia Mint and Denver Mint. Each reverse must include the honoree's name, the inscription "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," and "QUARTER DOLLAR." The coins maintain standard Washington quarter specifications: a diameter of 24.26 mm, a clad composition of copper-nickel, and a reeded edge.

Release schedule and mintages

The program runs for four years, with five quarters released annually in approximately three-month intervals. The first coins, honoring Maya Angelou and Dr. Sally Ride, entered circulation in January 2022. Coins are struck at the Philadelphia Mint (mint mark P), the Denver Mint (D), and in proof quality for collectors at the San Francisco Mint (S). Annual mintages for circulation are determined by Federal Reserve orders, typically numbering in the hundreds of millions per design. Special numismatic products, including proof sets and rolls, are also sold directly by the United States Mint. The schedule concludes in 2025 with the final honorees.

Featured honorees

The program honors twenty women total. The inaugural 2022 honorees were poet Maya Angelou, astronaut Dr. Sally Ride, actress Anna May Wong, suffragist Nina Otero-Warren, and actress Wilma Mankiller. The 2023 series included ballerina Maria Tallchief, journalist Jovita Idar, entertainer Edith Kanakaʻole, former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and aviator Bessie Coleman. Selections for 2024 and 2025 encompass figures such as Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, Patsy Takemoto Mink, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, Celia Cruz, and Vera Rubin, representing fields from law and politics to astronomy and music.

Public and collector reception

The series has been generally well-received for broadening representation on U.S. coinage. Numismatic publications like Coin World have covered the designs extensively, and collector demand for annual proof sets and special finishes has been strong. Some criticism has arisen over specific design choices or honoree selections, a common occurrence in commemorative coin programs. Educational initiatives by the United States Mint and partner institutions like the National Women’s History Museum have leveraged the series to promote awareness of the honorees' achievements. The program's success has influenced discussions regarding future currency redesigns, including proposals for the Susan B. Anthony dollar and other circulating coins.

Category:Coins of the United States Category:2022 introductions