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The U.S. quarter was first struck in 1796, and this 25-cent piece had numerous designs and personalities. So, who is on the quarter coin and who has been on it in the past? Plenty of things have changed. Classical allegories, U.S. presidents and influential American women: and all of this is a numismatic treasure.
And if you believe that you possess a rare coin and want to check it immediately, there is a solution. A coin Identifier app like Coin ID Scanner lets you look up the type of coin and approximate price. Just install it, use the camera, take a photo of your coin, and the app will tell you everything about it.
George Washington: The President on the Quarter
Since 1932, his face has appeared on the obverse (front) of nearly every U.S. quarter. Until 196, the coin had silver metal in it, but later on it was produced from copper. If you think that you have unique gold ones, I recommend that you read the Gold Quarters Value Guide.
Value | 0.25 U.S. Dollar |
Mass | 0.2 oz. (5.67 g) |
Diameter | 0.955 in. (24.257 mm) |
Thickness | 0.069 in. (1.7526 mm) |
Composition | From 1965: 91.67% Cu, 8.33% Ni 1932–1964: 0.2204 oz. (6.25 g), 90% Ag, 10% Cu |
Years of minting | 1796–present |
The original design by John Flanagan showed Washington in a left-facing profile. In 2022, the U.S. Mint released a new version, designed by Laura Gardin Fraser, which shows him facing right.
So, if you're wondering who is on the new quarter, it's still George Washington, but from a different angle.
What Was Before Washington
Long before who is the president on the quarter became a relevant question, early American quarters showed allegorical figures:
Draped Bust (1796–1807): A classical Liberty figure inspired by Gilbert Stuart’s sketches
Capped Bust (1815–1838): Liberty with a cap, meaning republican ideals
Seated Liberty (1838–1891): Liberty seated on a rock, designed by Christian Gobrecht
Barber Quarter (1892–1916): A return to Liberty’s bust, designed by Charles Barber
Standing Liberty (1916–1930): The symbol of both peace and preparedness
State, Territory, and National Park Quarters
George Washington has remained on the front, but the back of the quarter has seen major changes. Who is on the back of the new quarter? That depends on the series:
50 State (1999–2008): Each state featured its own design
D.C. and U.S. Territories (2009): Extended the concept to include non-state regions
America the Beautiful (2010–2021): Showed national parks and historic sites
Washington Crossing the Delaware (2021): A one-year design featuring General Washington in battle
The American Women Quarters (2022–2025)
This current series honors women who shaped American history and culture. Each year, five new designs are released with a notable woman on the reverse side, but Washington remains on the front. Wondering who is the woman on the quarter in recent years? Here are the answers:
2022:
Maya Angelou: An author and civil rights icon
Sally Ride: The first American woman in space
Wilma Mankiller: The Cherokee Nation's first female chief
Adelina Otero-Warren: New Mexico suffrage leader
Anna May Wong: The first Chinese American film star (who is Anna May Wong on the quarter? A pioneer in early Hollywood)
2023:
Bessie Coleman: The first Black and Native American woman pilot
Jovita Idar: A civil rights journalist
Edith Kanakaʻole: The Hawaiian cultural leader
Eleanor Roosevelt: A human rights advocate
Maria Tallchief: America’s first major prima ballerina (who is Maria Tallchief on the quarter? A legend in dance.)
2024:
Pauli Murray: An American civil rights activist, advocate, legal scholar and theorist, author, and an Episcopal priest
Patsy Mink: An American attorney and politician from the U.S. state
Mary Edwards Walker: An American abolitionist, prohibitionist, prisoner of war in the American Civil War, and surgeon
Celia Cruz: A Queen of Salsa and Afro-Latina icon (who is Celia Cruz on the quarter? A musical and cultural icon.)
Related article: The Faces of Change: Stories Behind American Women Quarters
Mintmarks indicate where the coin was made and can impact value. In modern quarters, you'll find them on the front near Washington’s ponytail. Look for:
P – Philadelphia
D – Denver
S – San Francisco
W – West Point (rare modern releases)
Where to Buy or Find Special Quarters
If you're looking for pieces featuring specific reverse designs, mint errors, or the women honored in the American Women Quarters program, there are several reliable places to start your search
U.S. Mint website: The official U.S. Mint site has newly released coins in uncirculated, proof, and silver proof versions. It’s the best source for current commemorative sets, including the latest designs featuring who is on the new coins each year. You can also subscribe to future releases to ensure you don’t miss upcoming figures like Celia Cruz or Maria Tallchief
Coin shops and shows: Local coin shops often stock circulated and uncirculated ones, including older silver issues and State Quarters. Coin shows gather multiple vendors in one place, where you can find rarer varieties and get hands-on advice from seasoned collectors
eBay: eBay has listings for nearly every quarter imaginable. But always check seller feedback, verify coin authenticity through photos, and compare prices before making a purchase
ANA-Certified Dealers: The American Numismatic Association maintains a list of reputable dealers. These professionals follow ethical standards and can be trusted when purchasing valuable or rare ones
Online Dealers (APMEX, JM Bullion, GovMint, etc.): Well-known online bullion and numismatic retailers have both current and vintage quarters, including proof sets, silver editions, and hard-to-find issues. These dealers often have coins graded and certified by PCGS or NGC, which adds security to your purchase, especially when collecting commemoratives like the Anna May Wong or Celia Cruz
Roll Hunting and bank searches: If you're on a budget, try looking through rolls of quarters from your local bank. Many collectors have found American Women, State, and even West Point mintmarks in circulation this way. While you’re unlikely to stumble across a silver quarter or a high-value error, it’s a fun and free way to expand your collection
Coin collecting apps and marketplaces: Some mobile apps and websites now allow collectors to trade, sell, or verify coins with a broader community
Proof versions, especially minted in San Francisco and marked with an "S" are often sold in annual sets and are favorites among collectors who want a pristine example of who is on the US quarter for each year. Proof sets come in protective cases, making them ideal for long-term collecting.
If you possess a great silver coin collection, you may want to read about Silver Price Predictions 2030 to know how much you can trade your current coins for.
Counterfeits to Watch Out For
Though rare, counterfeit quarters exist, especially for rare errors or silver versions. To avoid fakes:
Check the weight (clad quarters should weigh ~5.67g)
Inspect the edge (silver coins won’t show a copper core)
Look for grading (PCGS or NGC-certified coins are safest)
If someone tries to sell you a rare quarter with Anna May Wong on the quarter for a suspiciously low price, make sure it’s authenticated.
FAQs
1. Who is on the quarter today?
George Washington. His updated right-facing bust appears on the obverse of all modern quarters.
2. Has the person on the quarter ever changed?
No, the obverse has always featured Washington since 1932. But the reverse has had many designs and people.
3. Who is the woman on the coin now?
Depending on the year, it could be figures like Anna May Wong, Celia Cruz, or Maria Tallchief, thanks to the American Women Quarters series.
4. Who is on the back of the new quarter?
In 2022–2025, the reverse features American women who made significant contributions to society.
5. Who is on the US quarter for 2023?
George Washington on the front, and one of five women, including Bessie Coleman and Maria Tallchief, on the reverse.
6. Are there pieces with more than one person?
Not on the obverse, but the reverse of some commemoratives, like state quarters, may depict more than one figure or symbolic image.
7. Who is on the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter?
Penny: Abraham Lincoln
Nickel: Thomas Jefferson
Dime: Franklin D. Roosevelt
Quarter: George Washington
8. Who is Wilma Mankiller on the quarter?
She was the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, honored in the 2022 series.
9. Who is Celia Cruz?
An Afro-Cuban singer known as the “Queen of Salsa,” she’s celebrated in the 2024 lineup.
10. Where can I find quarters with women on them?
Check the U.S. Mint site, coin dealers, or even your local bank rolls. They’re still in active circulation.
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