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In recent years, the United States Mint has strived to launch commemorative programs that praise and perpetuate the contributions of national leaders. One of the most impactful of these initiatives is the American Women Quarters Program, which continues into 2024 with five distinguished new releases.
In essence, the series focuses on the outstanding representatives of our society, i.e., females who aspired to bring the nation to a new level. This is captured in metal in a fresh and illustrative manner that draws the attention of collectors from all over the world. So, what are the 2024 women's quarters generally about? What do they look like, and where to check coin value for precise and up-to-date records?
What Does the American Women Quarters Program Mean?
The American Women Quarters Program, which was introduced by the United States Mint in 2022, is a four-year commemorative coin series aimed at recognizing women's unique accomplishments and contributions to American history. The initiative, which is to run until 2025, has five new reverse quarter designs each year, each of which honors a woman who has made a significant contribution to civil rights, government, science, the arts, or the humanities.
Here is what makes this initiative unique! For many years, US coinage was primarily dedicated to the Founding Fathers and early political leaders. However, the XXI has changed the game. The American Women Quarters series deepens that narrative as it finally focuses on the accomplishments of innovators who were often overlooked at the time.
Related article: The Faces of Change: Stories Behind American Women Quarters
Each design is meticulously developed in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution's American Women's History Initiative, the National Women's History Museum, and the Congressional Bipartisan Women's Caucus. The outcome, i.e., the metal plates with portraits of female leaders, is for educational purpose that elevates major historical personalities to the forefront of American culture, with 5 pieces per year.
General Overview of New Quarters 2024
Firstly, it is vital to note that though each design is unique, they all have a feature in common: the obverse side. Every coin within the series may boast the portrait of George Washington on the obverse, which was meant to continue a tradition that dates back to 1932. However, the 2024 US quarters got a slightly renovated version of the portrait designed by Laura Gardin Fraser. What about other characteristics?
The Main Features of the 2024 Quarter Designs | |
Denomination | 25 cents |
Composition | 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel (standard) 99.9% silver (proof) |
Weight | 5.67 grams (standard) 6.34 grams (silver proof) |
Diameter | 24.26 mm |
Thickness | 1.75 mm |
Edge | 119 reeds |
Mint Locations | Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), San Francisco (S) |
Nevertheless, each instance was devoted to a separate female figure with an exceptional background and exquisite design. Let us briefly check the designs and the 2024 quarter value provided by the PCGS Price Guide one by one.
Dr. Pauli Murray 25C Coin
Release Date: February 1, 2024
Reverse: Since this issue is usually called the 2024 Hope quarter, it might be obvious that the reverse features a portrait of Dr. Pauli Murray and a line from her poem “A Song in a Weary Throat” put inside the word “HOPE”. “Hope” is the center of this issue.
Mintage Figures per Mint
Denver: 185,500,000
Philadelphia: 168,400,000
San Francisco: 498,680
Who Was She?
Dr. Anna Pauline "Pauli" Murray was a civil rights activist, lawyer, poet, and the first African American woman ordained as an Episcopal priest. Her work helped shape the legal arguments for gender and race equality in the US and worldwide, and her life was completely devoted to activism long before the term became widely used.
Errors
Although 2024 was not long ago, there appeared a few notable quarter errors that may hold numismatic potential we are not even aware of. These are the most popular errors found on the net:
“In Cod We Trust”: A humorous and rare misprint of the national motto, caused by die damage or grease-filled dies.
Massive Strike Through: Instances where foreign material interfered with the striking process, leaving noticeable surface disruptions.
DDO/DDR (Doubled Die Obverse/Reverse): Look closely at the inscriptions or graphics – some of them may appear doubled.
Die Clash: Some coins may exhibit ghost-like impressions of the reverse on the obverse (or vice versa), which is a result of dies striking each other without a planchet between them.
Value
How much is a 2024 Hope quarter worth? Indeed, the 2024 women quarters are extremely significant in terms of their historical relevance and contributions, but coin values have not made it that far yet. These may sell for up to $13 at auctions, with lower prices being displayed by regular traders and appraisers.
Patsy Mink 25C Coin
Release Date: March 25, 2024
Reverse: The reverse introduces Patsy Mink in front of the US Capitol building, holding a legal document that symbolizes her role in shaping educational policy (i.e., the inclusion of “Title IX” as a landmark legislative achievement in promoting gender equality in education).
Mintage Figures per Mint
Denver: 187,200,000
Philadelphia: 210,200,000
San Francisco: 465,920
Who Was She?
Patsy Matsu Mink was the first woman of color and the first Asian-American woman elected to the United States Congress. Besides, she co-authored and promoted Title IX, which banned sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs. As a result of her work, there were expanded opportunities for generations of women and girls.
Errors
Die Chips and Cuds: Extra metal blobs often appear on letters or design edges, typically on “LIBERTY” or her figure.
Die Cracks: Fine raised lines across the surface due to die stress or wear.
Off-Center Strikes: A part of the design may be missing if the coin was not properly aligned during minting.
Clipped Planchets: Coins with curved cuts or missing sections caused by misfeeds in the blank-cutting process.
Value
This is a bit more expensive instance that can be worth $120, give or take. However, as auctions show, this situation is subject to change over time. So, follow the websites of the best auction houses to stay updated.
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker 25C Coin
Release Date: June 3, 2024
Reverse: The design shows Dr. Mary Edwards Walker proudly wearing the Medal of Honor, i.e., the highest military decoration in the United States.
Mintage Figures per Mint
Denver: 159,400,000
Philadelphia: 141,200,000
San Francisco: 441,400
Who Was She?
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was a physician, abolitionist, and women's rights advocate who served as a contract surgeon for the Union Army and was honored to be awarded the Medal of Honor, which makes her the only woman to receive it. During the Civil War. Moreover, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was a loud advocate for dress reform and the women’s suffrage movement.
Errors
Multiple Die Chips: Raised metal blobs, especially around the face, hands, or inscriptions.
Die Clash Marks: Partial impressions from the opposite die faintly behind the design elements.
Doubling: DDO and DDR examples may exist (you are free to visit eBay to see how frequent this problem can be).
Rotated Die: Some collectors speculate on the potential for misaligned obverse and reverse orientations. This is why you should not forget to watch for coins that do not spin symmetrically.
Value
Auctions and local dealers may only give you up to $15 for such a coin, which makes it a decent investment option with potential to gain.
Celia Cruz 25C Coin
Release Date: August 12, 2024
Reverse: Such a vibrant instance to observe! The reverse displays Celia Cruz in the midst of her performance with a microphone in her hand. Her iconic catchphrase, “¡Azúcar!”, is proudly displayed right next to her to emphasize her joyful power and cultural pride that defined her legendary career.
Mintage Figures per Mint
Denver: 156,200,000
Philadelphia: 149,600,000
San Francisco: 542,480
Who Was She?
Celia Cruz (Celia Caridad Cruz Alfonso) was the "Queen of Salsa”, an Afro-Cuban American icon whose voice shaped the framework of modern Latin music. She became a symbol of Afro-Latin excellence and resilience with more than 70 albums, 10 million records sold, and numerous awards received.
Errors
Blurry Die: Some coins show soft, poorly defined design details due to worn dies.
DDO & DDR (Doubled Die Obverse/Reverse): Subtle doubling in letters or facial features can add collector appeal and value (yet this is not the rule).
“In Cod We Trust”: A misprint of the motto caused by filled or damaged dies.
Die Chips: Raised metal blobs, often found near Celia’s raised arm or in the background design.
Strike-Throughs: Foreign material can leave indented patterns or texture in the surface.
Die Breaks: Fractured dies can result in cracks or raised lines all across the coin. Sometimes, these are valuable!
Value
The worth of these instances is as diverse as the culture shaped by Celia Cruz. In fact, regular issues may be worth from $60 to $130, yet proof versions with exceptional designations (e.g., DCAM – Deep Cameo) can be sold for approximately $200. This is how collectors’ appeal may work.
Zitkala-Ša 25C Coin
Release Date: October 21, 2024
Reverse: The final coin of the series demonstrates Zitkala-Ša holding a book in her hands. In the background, one may see a rising sun with a red cardinal swinging in its rays, and a diamond pattern beneath.
Mintage Figures per Mint
Denver: 170,200,000
Philadelphia: 152,600,000
San Francisco: 419,520
Who Was She?
Zitkala-Ša, also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin (Anglicized and married name), was a writer, composer, educator, editor, translator, and political activist who fought for Indigenous sovereignty and cultural preservation. She co-founded the National Council of American Indians and used her artistic talents to express the struggles and strengths of her people.
Errors
DDO & DDR (Doubled Die Obverse/Reverse): Doubling has been observed in inscriptions and detailed areas like the book or her attire.
Die Chips: Small metal blobs can be found near the lettering or the central figure.
Die Gauge Marks: Irregular etching or tool marks left by die maintenance, which should typically be visible under magnification.
Die Clash: Some instances show ghost-like outlines of reverse design elements on the obverse (or vice versa).
Value
Just like other coins, Zitkala-Ša quarters exhibit different values, from $16 (for Mint State conditions) to $220 (proof DCAM designations). Nonetheless, prices may go higher over time.
Let Your Collecting Experience Never Be the Same
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