Quarter USD History and Features

The quarter USD has a rich history dating back to 1796, when it was first introduced as a 25-cent coin. It was designed by John Reich, a German-born engraver.

The quarter has undergone several design changes over the years, with the most significant change occurring in 1965, when the coin's composition was changed from 90% silver to copper-plated zinc. This change made the quarter cheaper to produce and more durable.

Today, the quarter is one of the most widely used coins in the United States, with over 5.5 billion quarters minted annually.

The Washington quarter has a rich history and design. The original version issued from 1932 to 1998 was designed by sculptor John Flanagan.

George Washington is featured on the obverse of the coin, facing left, with "Liberty" above his head and the date below. The reverse depicts an eagle with wings outspread perched on a bundle of arrows framed by two olive branches.

The Washington quarter was minted in 0.2204 oz. of 90% fine silver until 1964, when the composition changed to the present-day cupronickel-clad-copper. This change was due to rising silver prices.

It cost 11.14 cents to produce each coin as of 2011. This is a significant cost, especially considering the coin's value.

There have been various commemorative and bullion issue Washington quarters over the years. Some notable examples include:

The design of the Washington quarter has also undergone changes. For example, the 1983 clad composition features an obverse and reverse design.

US Coins are a fascinating part of American history, and the quarter USD is a staple in many American wallets. The first quarter was minted in 1796 and featured Lady Liberty on the front.

The quarter has undergone many design changes over the years, with the most notable being the introduction of the 50 State Quarters program in 1999. This program featured a unique design for each state, showcasing its individuality.

The quarter is a denomination that has remained relatively unchanged, with its value being 25 cents.

The Washington quarter is a beloved coin in American numismatics. It was first minted in 1932 and continued until 1964.

The "silver series" of Washington quarters is a highly sought-after collection. It spans from 1932 to 1964, with certain mints abstaining from production in various years.

Some of the rarest Washington quarters include the 1932-D, 1932-S, and 1934 with Doubled Die Obverse (DDO). These coins are highly valuable due to their condition rarity.

The 1934 Philadelphia strike is particularly interesting, as it appears in two versions: one with a light motto and the other with a heavy motto. The difference in value between the two is minor, except in the highest grades.

The mint mark on the Washington quarter is located on the reverse beneath the wreath on which the eagle is perched. It will either carry the mint mark "D" for the Denver Mint, "S" for the San Francisco Mint, or be blank if minted at the Philadelphia Mint.

Here are some of the rarest Washington quarters, listed by year:

The obverse design of US coins has a rich history. The original Washington quarter, designed by John Flanagan, features George Washington facing left.

The obverse design has undergone changes over the years. The Washington quarter was minted in 0.2204 oz. (6.25 g) of 90% fine silver until 1964.

The Houdon bust, created by French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon in 1785, was the basis for many portraits of Washington on coins and medals. This bust was used as the basis for the portrait of Washington on the commemorative Lafayette dollar dated 1900.

Flanagan's adaptation of the Houdon bust differs in some particulars, such as the shape of the head and the presence of a roll of hair on the quarter. Flanagan's adaptation of the Houdon bust was used on the original Washington quarter.

Some art historians, like Cornelius Vermeule, have questioned the use of an idealized portrait of Washington on the quarter. Vermeule preferred a different version of Washington's portrait.

Here's a list of notable obverse designs:

The Houdon bust remains one of the most common representations of Washington on coins and medals.

The Bicentennial Commemorative quarter is a special edition coin that was minted to celebrate the 1976 United States Bicentennial.

In January 1973, Representative Richard C. White introduced legislation for commemorative dollars and half dollars, which eventually led to the redesign of the quarter.

The temporary redesign of the quarter was mandated by law and featured a double date 1776–1976.

President Richard Nixon signed the legislation on October 18, 1973, which allowed for the temporary redesign of the quarter.

Almost two billion Bicentennial quarters were struck, and the Mint sold the silver sets, in both uncirculated and proof, for more than a decade.

The silver sets were sold until the end of 1986, and the Bicentennial quarter was replaced by a new design after 1976.

The America the Beautiful quarters have been a fascinating addition to our circulating coins. In 2008, Congress passed the America's Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act, which called for 56 coins, one for each state or other jurisdiction.

Each coin features a National Park Service site or national forest, one per jurisdiction. Flanagan's head of Washington was restored to bring out detail. In addition to the circulating pieces and collector's versions, bullion pieces with 5 troy ounces of silver are being struck with the quarter's design.

The San Francisco Mint has been involved in striking circulation-quality quarters since 2012. All five 2012 designs were struck, the first circulation-quality coins struck at San Francisco since 1983.

In 2019, the silver version of the quarter was struck in .999 silver, marking a permanent change from the previous .900. The Mint struck 2,000,000 of each circulating quarter design at the West Point Mint bearing its mint mark W.

A quarter is a 25-cent coin in the United States, made of copper-plated zinc.

The quarter's design has changed over the years, with the first quarter introduced in 1796 featuring Lady Liberty on the front.

You can use quarters to make small purchases or as a form of savings, with many people collecting them as a hobby.

The quarter's composition is 91.67% copper and 8.33% zinc, which gives it a distinctive color and durability.

Quarters are also used in some video games and online platforms as a virtual currency or reward system, making them a fun way to earn rewards.

In the United States, quarters are widely accepted as payment for parking meters, vending machines, and other small transactions.

The quarter's size and weight are standardized, making it easy to recognize and handle.

The Redesign Act of 2020 was a significant development in the history of the Washington quarter. This act established three new series of quarters for the next decade.

The Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 (Pub. L.116–330 (text)(PDF)) was the official name of the legislation. It aimed to revamp the design of the Washington quarter.

The first series of quarters, featuring prominent American women, was set to begin in 2022. Up to five coins could be produced each year, with a new obverse design of Washington.

A table outlining the new series of quarters is below:

The redesign of the obverse, or front side, of the quarter was also planned. A new design was chosen for the 2021 quarter, featuring Washington crossing the Delaware River.