The American Women Quarters Program, launched by the United States Mint in 2022, is a multi-year coin series designed to honor women who have made significant contributions to American history. Spanning from 2022 through 2025, this program aims to reflect the diversity of American society and highlight underrepresented voices in public coinage.

Program Overview

Authorized by Public Law 116-330, the American Women Quarters Program features five new reverse designs each year from 2022 to 2025. While the obverse consistently displays a modernized depiction of George Washington originally sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser in 1931, each reverse showcases a different influential American woman, covering a range of fields including civil rights, literature, aviation, and science.

These coins are struck for circulation, numismatic products, and collector sets, and are issued from the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints.

Annual Designs and Honorees

2022 Releases

• Maya Angelou – celebrated poet and author
• Dr. Sally Ride – the first American woman in space
• Wilma Mankiller – first woman elected 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 Releases

• Bessie Coleman – pioneering aviator and first African American woman pilot
• Edith Kanakaʻole – Hawaiian cultural practitioner and educator
• Eleanor Roosevelt – former First Lady and human rights advocate
• Jovita Idar – journalist and civil rights activist
• Maria Tallchief – America’s first prima ballerina

2024 Releases

• Patsy Mink – first woman of color elected to Congress
• Dr. Mary Edwards Walker – Civil War surgeon and women’s rights advocate
• Pauli Murray – civil rights activist, lawyer, and Episcopal priest
• Zitkala-Ša – Native American writer and activist
• Celia Cruz – Cuban-American singer and “Queen of Salsa”

2025 Releases (Announced)

• Ida B. Wells – Honored for her work as a pioneering investigative journalist and early leader in the civil rights movement.
• Juliette Gordon Low – Recognized for founding the Girl Scouts of the USA, empowering generations of young women.
• Vera Rubin – Celebrated for her groundbreaking astronomical research that provided evidence for dark matter.
• Stacey Park Milbern – Commemorated for her advocacy for disability justice and leadership in intersectional activism.
• Althea Gibson – Acknowledged as the first African American to win a Grand Slam title in tennis, breaking racial barriers in professional sports.

The final five designs are set to complete the series, with names expected to reflect similar historical significance and diverse backgrounds.

American Women Quarters Proof Coins

In addition to circulation strikes, the U.S. Mint also issues proof coins of each design. These proof coins are produced with specially polished dies and blanks, resulting in sharp detail and mirror-like fields. The proof versions are available in annual sets, including:

• Silver Proof Sets: Featuring quarters struck in 99.9% silver
• Clad Proof Sets: Featuring quarters struck in standard clad composition
• Limited Edition Silver Proof Sets: Higher-end products geared toward collectors

These sets are highly regarded for their visual appeal and are popular among modern U.S. coin collectors. Proof versions, especially in silver, tend to retain collectible premiums over time.

Notable Error Coins and Market Interest

As with most modern circulating coin programs, error varieties and anomalies have begun to emerge. Some of the most talked-about examples include:

• 2022-P Maya Angelou Die Cracks and Retained Cuds – minor but collectible die breaks.
• 2022-D Wilma Mankiller Drooling Washington Die Chip – die chips that appear from Washington’s mouth, reminiscent of popular errors from the 2020 Washington Crossing the Delaware quarter.
• 2023 Edith Kanakaʻole “Struck Through” errors – examples showing cloth or debris impressions during striking.

Most of these error coins trade for modest premiums, generally ranging from $5 to $50 depending on severity and condition. However, with time and broader market recognition, certain varieties may become more widely cataloged and valued by specialists.

Why the Series Appeals to Collectors

The American Women Quarters Series has found a solid audience among both casual and advanced collectors for several reasons:

• Historical and Cultural Relevance: Each coin provides a learning opportunity and celebrates underrepresented contributions to American life.
• Accessibility: With coins available at face value through banks or in rolls and bags from the U.S. Mint, entry costs are low.
• Design Variety: The frequent release of new designs each year keeps collector engagement high.
• Error Potential: As with most circulating coin programs, new issues present opportunities for error hunting and cherry-picking.

Additionally, the program has seen increased interest from educators and younger collectors due to its educational potential and modern themes, contributing to numismatic outreach in schools and public institutions.

Closing Thoughts

While not designed as bullion investments, the American Women Quarters Series offers educational and cultural value, and may in time present numismatic potential for those seeking modern-era collectible U.S. coinage. Whether pursued as a complete set, for specific honorees, or for potential error coins, the series marks an important thematic evolution in U.S. Mint coinage and continues to engage a diverse generation of collectors.