United States Mint Announces Designs for 2022 American Women Quarters™ Program Coins
vulcanize
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The United States Mint (Mint) is pleased to announce the official designs for the first five coins in the American Women Quarters Program. Authorized by Public Law 116-330, this four-year program features coins with reverse (tails) designs emblematic of the accomplishments and contributions of trailblazing American women. Beginning in 2022 and continuing through 2025, the Mint will issue five quarters in each of these years. The ethnically, racially, and geographically diverse group of individuals honored through this program reflects a wide range of accomplishments and fields, including suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, and the arts. The 2022 coins recognize the achievements of Maya Angelou, Dr. Sally Ride, Wilma Mankiller, Nina Otero-Warren, and Anna May Wong.
“These inspiring coin designs tell the stories of five extraordinary women whose contributions are indelibly etched in American culture,” said United States Mint Acting Director Alison L. Doone. “Generations to come will look at coins bearing these designs and be reminded of what can be accomplished with vision, determination and a desire to improve opportunities for all.”
2022 Reverse Designs
The Secretary of the Treasury selected the final designs in accordance with the design selection process, which is available here. All reverse designs were created by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designers and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artists. Line art of the designs is available here.
Maya Angelou—celebrated writer, performer, social activist Designer: Emily Damstra, AIP Designer Sculptor: Craig A. Campbell, Medallic Artist The design depicts Maya Angelou with her arms uplifted. Behind her are a bird in flight and a rising sun, images inspired by her poetry and symbolic of the way she lived. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “MAYA ANGELOU,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “QUARTER DOLLAR.” Dr. Sally Ride—physicist, astronaut, educator, and first American woman to soar into space Designer: Elana Hagler, AIP Designer Sculptor: Phebe Hemphill, Medallic Artist This design depicts Dr. Ride next to a window on the space shuttle, inspired by her quote, “But when I wasn’t working, I was usually at a window looking down at Earth.” The inscription “E PLURIBUS UNUM” is intentionally positioned over the Earth next to America, indicating that out of all women in the United States, Dr. Ride was the first into space. The additional inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “QUARTER DOLLAR,” and “DR. SALLY RIDE.” Wilma Mankiller—first woman elected principal chief of the Cherokee Nation and an activist for Native American and women’s rights Designer: Ben Sowards, AIP Designer Sculptor: Phebe Hemphill, Medallic Artist This design depicts Wilma Mankiller with a resolute gaze to the future. The wind is at her back, and she is wrapped in a traditional shawl. To her left is the seven-pointed star of the Cherokee Nation. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “QUARTER DOLLAR,” “WILMA MANKILLER,” “PRINCIPAL CHIEF,” and “CHEROKEE NATION,” which is written in the Cherokee syllabary. Nina Otero-Warren—a leader in New Mexico’s suffrage movement and the first female superintendent of Santa Fe public schools Designer: Chris Costello, AIP Designer Sculptor: Craig A. Campbell, Medallic Artist The design features an image of Nina Otero-Warren on the left, flanked by three individual Yucca flowers—New Mexico’s state flower. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “QUARTER DOLLAR,” “E PLUIBUS UNUM,” “NINA OTERO-WARREN,” and “VOTO PARA LA MUJER,” the Spanish counterpart for the suffragist slogan “Votes for Women.” Anna May Wong—first Chinese American film star in Hollywood, who left a legacy for women in the film industry Designer: Emily Damstra, AIP Designer Sculptor: John P. McGraw, Medallic Artist This design features a close-up image of Anna May Wong with her head resting on her hand, surrounded by the bright lights of a marquee sign. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “QUARTER DOLLAR,” and “ANNA MAY WONG.”
Common Obverse (Heads) Design
The obverse design of all coins in the American Women Quarters Program is by Laura Gardin Fraser, one of the most prolific female sculptors of the early 20th century, whose works span the art and numismatic worlds. Fraser’s design depicts a portrait of George Washington, which was originally composed and sculpted as a candidate to mark George Washington’s 200th birthday. Though recommended for the 1932 quarter, then-Treasury Secretary Mellon ultimately selected the familiar John Flannigan design. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “2022.”
On-sale dates for products containing the 2022 American Women Quarters Program will be published on the Mint’s Product Schedule here. When available, the Mint will accept orders at catalog.usmint.gov/.
Comments
another series to put on my do not bother to collect list.
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I don't collect modern stuff, but the designs seem worthy of interest by the public.
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Now listen boy, I'm tryin' to teach you sumthin' . . . . that ain't an optical illusion, it only looks like an optical illusion.
My mind reader refuses to charge me....
You know, while this series doesn't appeal to me personally, maybe this will encourage more women to consider coins in general? We talk periodically about how the hobby is shrinking so why not encourage not just youths but also women to consider collecting as we do?
TurtleCat Gold Dollars
I don't think so. Perhaps they would love to spend them
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/quarters/PCGS-2020-quarter-quest/album/247091
Lol, just like some guys... My wife was the farthest thing from a collector but she's gotten much more interested as I share my collecting journey with her. She's gotten some liberty nickels (her favorite) and has even listened to a few of the Coin Week podcasts. She encourages me to buy and prods me to get the good stuff when I have an opportunity.
TurtleCat Gold Dollars
I expect the innobucks to be modern design but almighty I do wish they had done these with a classic design. I hope they sell well and find out they look good in hand but maybe classy is what I mean. I fear as the other thead points out the C.McC coins maybe should have been challenger related.
Next
They call her Lady Liberty and the lady part is important. I shall stop and live with this outlook for awhile 🤔
🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶
If you were to ask Americans who these women were and what their significance was most wouldn't have nary a clue - nor would they care.
Sad but true.
I like that Anna May design the best, but I could be wong...
Waitin' on the "W" announcement.
Exit bunker, enter Matrix. LOL
Another U.S. Mint fail.
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
A whole new batch of horrible designs from the mint, surprising.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
Will there be 5 oz silver versions?
Whatcha know? I was hoping for a “W” something. You got any ideas?
🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶
If this series encourages my wife to spend QUARTERS instead of the Tubman TWENTIES, I will consider it a great success!!
Gonna have a nice Obverse though.
Pete
My main takeaway from the announcement is that the series ends in 2025.
Those artist's renditions look OK but will they translate well to actual coins. (Hint: in most cases, no they won't).
This is a link to the Public Law.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1923/text
In addition to the 2022 women quarters, it discusses the 2026 semiquincentennial coin program. There are also 5 ounce and fractional bullion versions allowed. Then in 2027-30 there are changes to the quarters and half dollars to reflect youth sports. Another new Washington and Kennedy design quarter and half dollar obverse to go with them. It then adds gold and silver medals for the 2028 LA Olympics.
Really a major coinage law with a lot of changes planned.
My US Mint Commemorative Medal Set
Interesting line designs, though not sure how well they will look once coined. No doubt there will be collectors for this series, as there have been with all of the quarter themes. I disagree with the recurring thought that the hobby is shrinking.... Venues are changing, but if anything, my perception is that there are more collectors than ever before. The online venues are booming. Cheers, RickO
I'll be picking up a set, and that Maya Angelou design is fantastic.
Collector, occasional seller
Whatever.
At least they put their name on the coin so we know who they are...
Meh. Not for me.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Very interesting comment. I never thought about that. It is quite telling that their names are included......Why would that be?
The majority of the public doesn't even know most or any of these people.
No, because the public overwhelmingly doesn't even know these programs exist. It's predominantly if not exclusively coin collectors who do.
If a poll were taken asking members here to list the post 1998 quarters, only a very low minority would be able to do so. A somewhat higher proportion could identify a noticeable minority.
I've only heard of two of the 5 shown here and I'm somebody who reads all the time. If nothing else, an opportunity to learn something (or in this case someone) new.
It's possible I do know of them but don't have the face and name to put to what I know. I didn't know Duke Ellington's name until he appeared on the quarter, but then when I researched him I learned that I did indeed know of him and his music, I just didn't know who created it.
The Maya Angelou design looks very good to me.
Looking forward to this series. A couple of these initial designs look too crowded in the fields, but a couple of them look great. Great opportunity to collect with the kids and learn a bit of history in the process. For those complaining about the subject matter - the mint is making something for just about everyone - the American eagle and platinum first amendment series feature great designs in classical motifs. Collect what you like!
There’s no hate like Numismatic love.
I'd like to see designs of anonymous average people doing typical things
As one who's always curious about history: I know 3 out of 5 names, but not in depth. I've read one of Maya's books, which was very good. Anna Mae Wong I know of as an actress long before my time. The point of the series may be to encourage folks like me to research these people, just like one might research some of the icons in the state quarters series and some of the parks in the ATB series or the people in the Innovations dollar series, so it's of benefit.
I might add that the U.S. Postal Service has been doing this kind of thing for generations in its issuance of stamp commemoratives.
As a collector: I've gotten awful tired of lengthy series.
I wonder who they will chose for the American Men Quarter series?
I think they covered that with the presidential dollar series…
So people can do a web search to figure out who they are. I didn't recognize two of them.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
"They" already chose Washington... starting in 1932 to present.
Love the "new" obverse, got tired of the rotating reverses since the end of the Statehood/Territory Quarter series ended. Like all the quarter designs prior to these, I won't be collecting them, but I will be spending them. Thanks for posting these first 5 designs.
"Bongo hurtles along the rain soaked highway of life on underinflated bald retread tires."
~Wayne
I especially appreciate the new permanent reverse of Washington crossing the Delaware for six months before embarking on special issues for the foreseeable future.
At least I got a few silver proofs stashed before next years change.
Guess folks in the space fraternity are chuffed to bits.
https://www.space.com/amp/sally-ride-american-women-quarter-design
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/quarters/PCGS-2020-quarter-quest/album/247091
Five more designs is too much. The mint should have dialed the output down to three for the year, along with a standard design that doesn't change year after year for a fourth coin. Some consistency would really be nice to have.
I agree with the comments about the hobby not shrinking. I think now is the time for greatest potential of expansion and growth and established numismatists must do their part to pass the torch along.
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I can’t wait to see this in hand. I’m really not liking the dress. Why is it rendered so low res?! Is it even a dress? What am I looking at?!
I’m glad they put the names on the quarters, if you’re not gonna have allegorical Lady Liberty it helps us to figure out who these people are. That’s par for the course for commemoratives were not everyone is so well-known.
Ending in 2025, that's good but still too long.
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
The Mint should have the new Washington on the obverse facing right, and on the reverse have the Washington Crossing the Delaware design.
Just what we need - 2 heads on each quarter
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
So whoever calls heads during coin toss wins
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/quarters/PCGS-2020-quarter-quest/album/247091
@vulcanize This new 5 year quarters series is a magicians dream - US mint Magician coins by the millions plus.
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
I'm waiting for the Caitlyn Jenner Quarter.
If they want women to start collecting coins they should put Kim Kardashian on one, clothed of course.
Or Britney Spears - saw a random article today on Yahoo where she is supposedly only wearing thongs and high heels
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/quarters/PCGS-2020-quarter-quest/album/247091
What does everyone think about the new obverse portrait of Washington? It has an interesting, almost "Art Deco" look to it, in my opinion, but I still prefer the prior left-facing designs. And it's a shame the "Crossing the Delaware" reverse was just a "one-and-done", apparently.