The American Women Quarters Program is a recent initiative launched by the United States Mint. It began in 2022 and will run through 2025, celebrating twenty extraordinary women who have significantly influenced American history, culture, and achievement. Each year, the Mint unveils five distinct designs, each showcasing a different woman behind the design.
1. American Women’s Quarters History
The Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 authorized the program, giving the Treasury Secretary the authority to select the honorees in collaboration with organizations such as the Smithsonian’s American Women’s History Initiative and the National Women’s History Museum. The initiative aimed to honor American history while also highlighting the contributions of diverse and remarkable women who have often been overlooked in previous commemorative efforts.
The women selected came from a variety of fields, including activism, literature, science, politics, aviation, the performing arts, and civil rights. Through this initiative, the Mint continues the tradition of using conventional currency not only as a form of currency but also as a tool for education and cultural representation.
2. American Women Quarters Specifications
American Women’s Quarters maintain the standard design of regular U.S. quarters, but feature unique artwork on the reverse to honor notable American women. The official specifications issued by the U.S. Mint are listed below:
- Denomination: 25 cents
- Composition (clad version): Cupro-nickel (91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel)
- Weight: 5.67 grams
- Diameter: 24.26 mm
- Thickness: 1.75 mm
- Edge: Reeded (with grooves)
- Mint Marks: Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), San Francisco (S)
- Years of issue: 2022 to 2025 (20 different designs in total)
Coin collectors can also find these quarters in proof sets and silver proof sets, which contain 99.9% silver coins that display enhanced detail and a reflective finish. Typically, the San Francisco Mint is responsible for producing proof coins, while the Philadelphia and Denver mints produce circulation strikes.
3. American Women Quarters List
The American Women Quarters Program recognizes 20 extraordinary women, releasing five new designs each year from 2022 to 2025.
2022
- Maya Angelou – Author, poet, and civil rights activist
- Dr. Sally Ride – First American woman in space
- Wilma Mankiller – First female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation
- Nina Otero-Warren – Leader in New Mexico’s suffrage movement
- Anna May Wong – First Chinese American film star in Hollywood
2023
- Bessie Coleman – First African American and Native American woman pilot
- Edith Kanaka‘ole – Hawaiian cultural icon and educator
- Eleanor Roosevelt – First Lady, diplomat, and human rights advocate
- Jovita Idar – Mexican American journalist and activist
- Maria Tallchief – America’s first prima ballerina
2024
- Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray – Civil rights activist, lawyer, and writer
- Patsy Takemoto Mink – First woman of color in Congress and advocate for Title IX
- Dr. Mary Edwards Walker – Civil War surgeon and women’s rights advocate
- Celia Cruz – Cuban-American “Queen of Salsa”
- Zitkala-Ša (Gertrude Simmons Bonnin) – Author, musician, and Native American activist
2025
- Ida B. Wells – Journalist and civil rights leader
- Juliette Gordon Low – Founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA
- Dr. Vera Rubin – Astrophysicist who confirmed dark matter evidence
- Stacey Park Milbern – Disability rights activist
- Althea Gibson – Groundbreaking African American tennis champion
4. How Much Is an American Woman Quarter Worth?
Since these quarters are used as circulating currency, they generally hold a value of 25 cents in daily transactions. However, their worth to collectors may fluctuate based on condition, rarity, and mint mark.
Circulation strikes from the P and D mints: Typically valued at face value, although uncirculated rolls or mint sets could fetch a small premium, estimated between $1 and $3 per coin.
San Francisco (S) proof quarters: These coins are not distributed for general circulation and can be bought directly from the U.S. Mint. They usually retail for $5 to $15 each, influenced by market demand.
Silver proof quarters: Made of 99.9% silver, these quarters hold both numismatic and bullion value. Based on current silver prices, each coin’s silver content alone is worth $5 to $8, and proof coins can sometimes be sold for more.
Error coins: Similar to other U.S. coins, certain American Women Quarters may exhibit minting errors like double dies, off-center strikes, or distinct markings. These error coins can command much higher prices, ranging from $50 to several hundred dollars, contingent on their rarity.
Conclusion
The American Women Quarters Program (2022-2025) is more than just a series of coins. It honors the courage, leadership, and diversity of women who have played a significant role in shaping America’s narrative, giving them the recognition they deserve. Combining historical significance, artistic creativity, and collector appeal, the program has quickly gained popularity among coin collectors and casual enthusiasts.
