Washington quarter
United States | |
Value | 25 cents (0.25 US dollars) |
---|---|
Mass | 5.67 g |
Diameter | 24.3 mm |
Edge | reeded |
Orientation | coin (180°) |
Composition | Current—cupronickel clad to copper. Prior to 1965—6.25 grams, 90% silver, 10% copper. Silver versions for collectors since 1976 also exist |
Years of minting | 1932, 1934–present |
Mint marks | D, S, P, W. Mintmark location & history on 1932–2021 coins discussed in #Clad composition. |
Obverse | |
Design | Bust of George Washington. Variants of above obverse shown in #Silver quarter production. |
Designer | Laura Gardin Fraser |
Design date | 1931 |
Design used | 2022 |
Reverse | |
Design | Eagle |
Designer | John Flanagan |
Design date | 1931 |
Design used | 1932, 1934–1974, 1977–1998 |
Design | Washington crossing the Delaware River in 1776 |
Designer | Benjamin Sowards, sculpted by Michael Gaudioso |
Design date | 2020 |
Design used | 2021 |
Design | Various commemorative designs |
Designer | Various |
Design used | 1975–1976, 1999–2021 |
The Washington quarter is the present
As the United States prepared to celebrate the 1932 bicentennial of the birth of its first president,
The new silver quarters entered circulation on August 1, 1932, and continued to be struck in silver until the Mint transitioned to copper-nickel clad coinage in 1965. A special
Flanagan reverse (1932–1998)
The original Washington quarter design struck until 1998 depicted a head of George Washington facing left, with "Liberty" above the head, the date below, and "In God We Trust" in the left field. The reverse depicted an eagle with wings outspread perches on a bundle of arrows framed below by two olive branches.[1]
It initially contained 6.25 grams of 90% silver until 1964 when it switched to a base-metal composition of cupronickel (75% copper, 25% nickel) clad to a pure copper core. Non-circulating versions of the quarter containing silver have also been produced for collectors since 1976.
Inception
On December 2, 1924, Congress created the United States George Washington Bicentennial Commission. The 200th anniversary of the birth of Washington, the first president of the United States, would occur in 1932, and Congress wished to plan for the event well in advance. President Calvin Coolidge was ex officio chairman of the commission, which included government officials as well as prominent private citizens such as automobile manufacturer Henry Ford. In 1929, the Secretary of Commerce, Herbert Hoover, succeeded Coolidge both as president and in his commission role. By that time, however, the commission had become inactive, doing little after sending out an initial flurry of press releases.[2] A new group, the George Washington Bicentennial Committee was established by Act of Congress in February 1930.[3]
Hoover was concerned about the large numbers of designs used for commemorative coins in the 1920s; he feared that confusion would aid counterfeiters. When a commemorative coin bill was sent to him by Congress, Hoover vetoed it on April 21, 1930. In a lengthy veto message delivered to Congress with the returned bill, Hoover noted his counterfeiting concerns, and stated that the coins were selling badly anyway—large quantities of Oregon Trail Memorial half dollars remained unsold.[2]
The Bicentennial Committee wanted a commemorative Washington half dollar, and sought to assuage Hoover's concerns by proposing that all 1932 half dollars depict Washington instead of bearing the usual
After reviewing the entries, both the Bicentennial Committee and the
On February 9, 1931, New Jersey Representative Randolph Perkins introduced legislation for a Washington quarter, to the dismay of the Bicentennial Committee and Fine Arts Commission. The House of Representatives Committee on Coinage, Weights and Measures issued a memorandum stating that the design of the existing Standing Liberty quarter had been found to be unsatisfactory, and that the new piece would not only be struck for 1932, it would permanently replace the older design. Thus, a new quarter would both be a tribute to Washington on his bicentennial, and relieve the Mint of the burden of having to coin a difficult-to-strike piece. On February 12, Fine Arts Commission Chairman Charles W. Moore wrote to the House Committee, objecting to the change of denomination, and proposing that they mandate that Laura Fraser's design for the medal also appear on the coin. Moore was ignored, and Congress passed authorizing legislation for a Washington quarter on March 4, 1931.[7] The act provided that Washington's image, to appear on the obverse, was to be based on the "celebrated bust" of the former president by Jean-Antoine Houdon; Fraser had based her design on Houdon's work.[8]
Competitions
On July 14, 1931, Assistant Mint Director
Mellon left office on February 12, 1932; he was succeeded by Ogden L. Mills.[10] With a new Secretary of the Treasury in office, Moore renewed his protest, sending Mills a letter on March 31 deprecating Flanagan's design and urging the new secretary to accede to the commission's recommendation.[11] Mills had already been briefed by O'Reilly on the quarter matter, and responded to Moore on April 11. Secretary Mills informed Moore that the chairman's letter had caused him to request changes from the sculptor, but that he would not override Mellon's decision.[10] On April 16, the selection of Flanagan's designs was publicly announced.[12]
Mellon was aware of which artists had submitted which designs, and has been accused of discriminating against Fraser as a woman. Numismatic historian Walter Breen stated, "it has been learned that Mellon knew all along who had submitted the winning models, and his male chauvinism partly or wholly motivated his unwillingness to let a woman win."[13] Bowers, however, noted that Mellon had approved Fraser's designs for commemorative coins several times, as well as those by other women, and that no contemporary source speaks to any bias on Mellon's part. Bowers called the belief "modern numismatic fiction".[12] Fraser's design was used in 1999 as a commemorative half eagle issued 200 years after Washington's death,[12] and has been recommended as the obverse beginning in 2022.[14]
Obverse design
In 1785, the French sculptor
Portraits of Washington on medals and in other media subsequent to the sculptor's visit were most often based on Houdon's work, beginning with the 1786 "Washington Before Boston" medal engraved by Pierre Simon DuViviers. Although only one American, Abraham Lincoln, had appeared on a circulating US coin by the 1920s, the Houdon bust had been used as the basis of the portrait of Washington on the commemorative Lafayette dollar dated 1900 and on the Sesquicentennial half dollar of 1926. According to coin dealer and numismatic historian Q. David Bowers, the Houdon bust, even then, was the most common representation of Washington on coins and medals.[5] Little is known of Flanagan's creative process, although models of Flanagan's quarter with a different portrayal of Washington, facing right, and with a different eagle, have come on the market.[8] Flanagan's adaptation differs from the Houdon bust in some particulars: for example, the shape of the head is different, and there is a roll of hair on the quarter not found on the bust.[17]
Art historian
Silver quarter production
In early July 1932, newspapers announced that the Washington quarter was being struck and would be issued at the end of the month, once there were sufficient pieces for a nationwide distribution. They stressed that the new quarter was not a commemorative.[20][21]
The quarter was released into circulation on August 1, 1932. There was no great need for the coins in commerce;[22] despite that, it was announced that six million pieces would be struck in honor of the Washington bicentennial.[23] The coins were generally well received,[22] though the reverse prompted discussion as to whether a bald eagle was depicted, or some other sort of eagle. An eagle expert consulted by The New York Times concluded it was a bald eagle.[24]
About 6.2 million quarters were struck in 1932, of which 5.4 million were coined at the
Unlike many earlier coins, the Washington quarter struck exceptionally well, bringing out its full details. This sharpness is possible because the designs of both sides were spread out, with no points of high relief.[17] Nevertheless, the Mint repeatedly adjusted the design. In the first three years of striking (1932, 1934 and 1935), three different varieties of the obverse are known. They are generally called after the appearance of "IN GOD WE TRUST", to the left of Washington's head: the Light Motto, Medium Motto, and Heavy Motto.[26] Only the first was used in 1932. All three were used on the 1934 Philadelphia strikes, though only the latter two on the 1934 Denver Mint coins.[27] In 1935 only the Medium Motto was used at all three mints. However, the Heavy Motto apparently proved most satisfactory to the Mint as beginning in 1936 only pieces of that variety were struck at all sites.
For unknown reasons, the original reverse hub was used only in 1932; a new hub was used when coining resumed in 1934. The original style had a high rim around the reverse design, protecting it from wear so well that 1932 quarters in lower grade generally are about equally worn on either side. In later years, with a lowered rim, circulated silver pieces tend to be more worn on the reverse.[28]
The fine-tuning of the design continued through the end of silver production with pieces dated 1964. During that time, the obverse was modified six times. One revision, in 1944, left Flanagan's initials, on the cutoff of the bust, distorted; this was adjusted the following year. Beginning in 1937, and continuing until the end of silver circulation production with pieces dated 1964, a very slightly different reverse was used for
The piece was struck in numbers exceeding 100 million in some years through 1964. The San Francisco Mint ceased striking coins after 1955; it struck no quarters that year or in 1949.[30]
Clad composition
In 1964, there was a severe shortage of coins.[31] Silver prices were rising, and the public responded by hoarding not only the wildly popular new coin, the Kennedy half dollar, but the other denominations, including the non-silver cent and nickel.[32] Hopeful that issuing more 1964-dated coins would counter the speculation in them, the Treasury obtained Congressional authorization to continue striking 1964-dated coins into 1965.[33]
The Mint's production of coins rapidly depleted the Treasury's stock of silver. Prices for the metal were rising to such an extent that, by early June 1965, a dollar in silver coin contained 93.3 cents' worth of it at market prices. On June 3, 1965, President
The new clad quarters were struck without
Beginning in 1976, and continuing over the following twenty years, Mint engravers modified the design a number of times.[40] Quarters were struck at the West Point Mint between 1977 and 1979, but they bore no mint mark.[41] The Philadelphia Mint's mint mark "P" was used on coins struck at that facility beginning in 1980. Coins dated 1982 and 1983, both from Philadelphia and Denver, command a large premium over face value when found in near-pristine condition.[42]
Beginning in 1992, the Mint began selling silver proof sets, including a quarter struck in .900 silver; this has continued to the present day.[43] Although President George H. W. Bush signed authorizing legislation for these pieces in 1990, coinage did not begin until 1992 due to difficulty in obtaining sufficient coinage blanks in .900 silver.[44]
Bicentennial commemorative quarters
In January 1973, Representative
Washington quarters since 1999
50 State quarters
At a congressional hearing in June 1995, Mint Director Philip N. Diehl and prominent numismatists urged Congress to pass legislation allowing a series of circulating commemorative coins similar to the quarters Canada had recently struck for its provinces. In response, Congress passed the United States Commemorative Coins Act of 1996, which was signed by President Bill Clinton on October 20, 1996. The act directed the Mint to study whether a series of commemorative quarters would be successful.[54] The Mint duly studied the matter and reported favorably. Although the act had given Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin the authority to carry out the report by selecting new coin designs, Secretary Rubin preferred to await congressional action. The resulting 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act was signed by President Clinton on December 1, 1997. Under the act, each of the fifty states would be honored with a new quarter, to be issued five a year beginning in 1999, with the sequence of issuance determined by the order the states had entered the Union. The act allowed the Secretary to determine the position of the required legends, such as "IN GOD WE TRUST" on the coin: To accommodate a large design on the reverse, "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and "QUARTER DOLLAR" were moved to the obverse, and the bust of Washington shrunken slightly.[55] A state's design would be selected by the Treasury Secretary on the recommendation of the state's governor.[56]
As part of the series, the Mint sold collector's versions in proof, including pieces struck in .900 silver.
District of Columbia and United States Territories quarters
Legislation to extend the program to the
America the Beautiful quarters
In 2008, Congress passed the America's Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act. This legislation called for 56 coins, one for each state or other jurisdiction, to be issued five per year beginning in 2010 and concluding in 2021. 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.[62] In addition to the circulating pieces and collector's versions, bullion pieces with 5 troy ounces (160 g) of silver are being struck with the quarter's design.[63]
In May 2012, the Mint announced plans to strike the first circulation-quality quarters at the San Francisco Mint since 1954, to be sold only at a premium in bags and rolls. All five 2012 designs were struck, the first circulation-quality coins struck at San Francisco since 1983 (when
2021: Return of the original obverse
Following the conclusion of the National Parks quarter series in 2021, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had the option of ordering a second round of 56 national parks quarters, but did not do so by the end of 2018 as required in the 2008 legislation.
The quarter's design for 2021 therefore reverted to Flanagan's original obverse design, paired with a new reverse rendition of Washington crossing the Delaware River on the night of December 25, 1776. In October 2019, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) met to consider designs, with the final choice made by Mnuchin.[67] On December 25, 2020, the Mint announced the successful design, by Benjamin Sowards as sculpted by Michael Gaudioso. This quarter was released into circulation on April 5, 2021, and was minted until the end of 2021.[68]
Coin Redesign Act of 2020
The Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 (
American Women quarters
The American Women quarters program will issue up to five new reverse designs each year from 2022 to 2025 featuring the accomplishments and contributions made in various fields by women to American history and development. The obverse design features Fraser's portrait of Washington originally intended for the first Washington quarter in 1932.[70]
See also
References
- ^ Guth & Garrett 2005, p. 79.
- ^ a b Bowers 2006, p. 30.
- ^ Bowers 2006, p. 31.
- ^ Bowers 2006, pp. 31–32.
- ^ a b Bowers 2006, p. 32.
- ^ Taxay 1983, p. 360.
- ^ Bowers 2006, p. 33.
- ^ a b c Vermeule 1971, p. 178.
- ^ Taxay 1983, pp. 360–362.
- ^ a b Bowers 2006, p. 35.
- ^ Taxay 1983, p. 363.
- ^ a b c Bowers 2006, p. 36.
- ^ Breen 1988, p. 365.
- ^ Gilkes, Paul (April 23, 2021). "Fraser portrait to finally debut on quarter in 2022". Coin World. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ Cadou 2006, p. 120.
- ^ Vermeule 1971, pp. 177–178.
- ^ a b Bowers 2006, p. 39.
- ^ Vermeule 1971, p. 179.
- ^ Vermeule 1971, p. 180.
- ^ San Jose News & 1932-07-09.
- ^ The Reading Eagle & 1932-07-10.
- ^ a b c Bowers 2006, p. 40.
- ^ The Star and Sentinel & 1932-08-06.
- ^ The New York Times & 1932-08-21.
- ^ Breen 1988, p. 366.
- ^ The Washington Quarters of 1934
- ^ "1934 & 1934D; Light Medium and Heavy Motto". Archived from the original on January 14, 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
- ^ Bowers 2006, pp. 46–48.
- ^ Breen 1988, p. 367.
- ^ Yeoman 2014, pp. 171–173.
- ^ Bowers 2006, p. 41.
- ^ Bardes & 1964-11-22.
- ^ Bardes & 1964-09-13.
- ^ Dale & 1965-06-04.
- ^ The New York Times & 1965-07-15.
- ^ Bardes & 1966-07-17.
- ^ a b Bowers 2006, pp. 42–45.
- ^ Bowers 2006, pp. 49–50.
- ^ Yeoman 2014, p. 173.
- ^ Bowers 2006, pp. 50–51.
- ^ a b Gilkes & 2019-04-02.
- ^ Yeoman 2014, pp. 178.
- ^ Yeoman 2014, pp. 349–351.
- ^ Gilkes & 2012-03-12.
- ^ Coin World Almanac 1977, p. 419.
- ^ Coin World Almanac 1977, pp. 421–422.
- ^ Coin World Almanac 1977, p. 422.
- ^ Breen 1988, p. 421.
- ^ Coin World Almanac 1977, p. 51.
- ^ Ganz 1976, pp. 66–68.
- ^ Yeoman 2014, p. 228.
- ^ Reiter & 1979-07-08.
- ^ Webster & 1986-10-26.
- ^ United States Mint 2009, p. 4.
- ^ United States Mint 2009, p. 6.
- ^ United States Mint 2009, p. 14.
- ^ United States Mint 2009, p. 11.
- ^ United States Mint 2009, p. 12.
- ^ United States Mint 2009, p. 13.
- ^ Ganz & 2007-12-20.
- ^ United States Mint, DC & Territories.
- ^ United States Mint & 2010-03-24.
- ^ Numismatic News & 2009-09-09.
- ^ Gilkes & 2012-05-21.
- ^ Coin News & 2019-02-20.
- ^ Gilkes & 2020-01-21.
- ^ Gilkes & 2019-10-18.
- ^ "United States Mint announces new quarter dollar reverse design". United States Mint. December 25, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ^ "Text – H.R.1923 – 116th Congress (2019–2020): Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020". www.congress.gov. January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ "American Women Quarters Program". United States Mint. November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
Books and reports
- Bowers, Q. David (2006). A Guide Book of Washington and State Quarters. Atlanta, Ga.: Whitman Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7948-2059-6.
- Breen, Walter (1988). Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins. New York, N.Y.: Doubleday. ISBN 978-0-385-14207-6.
- Cadou, Carol Borchert (2006). The George Washington Collection: Fine and Decorative Arts at Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon Ladies' Association of the Union. Manchester, Vt.: Hudson Hills Press. ISBN 978-1-55595-268-6.
- Coin World Almanac (3rd ed.). Sidney, Ohio: Amos Press. 1977. ASIN B004AB7C9M.
- Ganz, David L. (1976). 14 Bits: The Story of America's Bicentennial Coinage. Washington, D.C.: Three Continents Press. ISBN 978-0-914478-63-8.
- Guth, Ron; Garrett, Jeff (2005). United States Coinage: A Study by Type. Atlanta, Ga.: Whitman Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7948-1782-4.
- Taxay, Don (1983) [1966]. The U.S. Mint and Coinage (reprint ed.). New York, N.Y.: Sanford J. Durst Numismatic Publications. ISBN 978-0-915262-68-7.
- United States Mint (c. 2009). "50 States Quarters Report" (PDF). United States Mint Financial Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 10, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
- ISBN 978-0-674-62840-3.
- OL 28306197M.
News and other sources
- Bardes, Herbert C. (September 13, 1964). "Treasury to Go Ahead On '64 Date Freeze". The New York Times. p. X32. Retrieved February 13, 2012. (subscription required)
- Bardes, Herbert C. (November 22, 1964). "Turmoil in the Capital". The New York Times. p. X26. Retrieved February 13, 2012. (subscription required)
- Bardes, Herbert C. (July 17, 1966). "1966 Date Begins Aug. 1" (PDF). The New York Times. p. 96. Retrieved February 13, 2012. (subscription required)
- Dale, Edwin L. Jr. (June 4, 1965). "President Asks Quarters And Dimes Without Silver". The New York Times. p. 1. Retrieved February 13, 2012. (subscription required)
- Ganz, David L. (December 20, 2007). "Quarter Program Adds Territories". NumisMaster.com. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Publications. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
- Gilkes, Paul (March 12, 2012). "Mint touts cost savings in .999 silver switch". Coin World. pp. 1, 52, 56.
- Gilkes, Paul (May 21, 2012). "San Francisco Mint strikes circulation-quality quarters". Coin World. Archived from the original on September 27, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- Gilkes, Paul (April 2, 2019). "Circulating rarities head to circulation: Quarters with the W mint mark". Coin World. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- Gilkes, Paul (October 18, 2019). "Quarter dollar for 2021 and beyond to depict Washington crossing the Delaware". Coin World. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
- Gilkes, Paul (January 21, 2020). "U.S. Mint releases images of 2020-W quarter dollar with privy mark". Coin World. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
- Reiter, Ed (July 8, 1979). "Bicentennial Hangover". The New York Times. p. D38. Retrieved February 13, 2012. (subscription required)
- Webster, Daniel (October 26, 1986). "Gold Eagle Coming Soon". The Blade. Toledo, Ohio. Knight News Service. p. F-8. Retrieved February 13, 2012. (subscription required)
- "Eagle on New Quarter Defended By Expert as Bald, Not Golden". The New York Times. August 21, 1932. p. 2. Retrieved February 13, 2012. (subscription required)
- "Coin Bill Approved By Senate and Sent To the White House". The New York Times. July 15, 1965. p. 1. Retrieved February 13, 2012. (subscription required)
- "Quarter series starts in 2010". Numismatic News. Iola, Wisc.: F+W Publications. September 10, 2009. Archived from the original on October 14, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
- "George Washington on new silver quarter". The Reading Eagle. Reading, Pa. July 10, 1932. p. 12. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
- "Don't Quote Me". San Jose News. July 9, 1932. p. 7. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
- "New Washington Quarters Are In Circulation Here". The Star and Sentinel. Gettysburg, Pa. August 6, 1932. p. 1. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
- "The 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program". United States Mint. Archived from the original on March 28, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
- "United States Mint Unveils First Five Coins in America the Beautiful Quarters Program" (Press release). United States Mint. March 24, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
- Unser, Mike (May 21, 2012). "U.S. Mint Ends Production of 90% Silver Coins". Coin News. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
External links