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The place of women in American history is often underappreciated, though recent trends finally celebrate the contributions made by the most prominent female representatives of our society. In 2022, the US Mint released a groundbreaking initiative to honor American women, and Dr Sally Ride was among the first icons to be numismatically depicted.
Do you want to reach for the stars? Dr Sally Ride not only aspired to do so but also achieved it! In this material, we are discussing the impact reflected via the quarters, the 2022 Sally Ride quarter worth, and the main characteristics of the coin. Know traits to identify coins and introduce them into collections with ease.
Legislative Origins of the Program
The Dr Sally Ride Quarter was one of the first coins to be launched via the American Women Quarters Program. Delving into the legislation, the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, introduced by Senators Deb Fischer and Catherine Cortez Masto and signed on January 13, 2021, required that the US circulating quarters be redesigned to commemorate women who pioneered a variety of disciplines. And this program was seen as a response to this action for sure.
According to the Act, the national mint is to produce up to five new designs annually between 2022 and 2025, each of which should feature an influential female figure (who has broken down barriers, improved civil rights, or made great contributions to the arts, education, science, etc.) on the coin's reverse side. But what exactly has Dr Sally Ride done, and what is the 2022 Sally Ride quarter value then?
Related article: 1967 Quarter Value Guide.
Who is Dr Sally Ride?
Dr Sally Ride was a renowned scientist, astronaut, educator, and, what is more important, the first American woman to travel to space. Ride, who was born in Los Angeles on May 26, 1951, showed an early interest in science and sports. She graduated from Stanford University with a bachelor's degree in physics and English, a master's degree, and a doctorate in physics with a focus on astrophysics.
In 1978, Ride was chosen to be a member of NASA's first female astronaut class, and in 1983, she successfully launched into orbit on the Space Shuttle Challenger as part of the STS-7 mission. Beyond that, she took part in a second space mission in 1984 and played important duties for NASA, including investigating the Challenger and Columbia shuttle tragedies. It was Dr Sally Ride who still encourages young girls to pursue STEM careers and get into relevant institutions.
Coin Minting Details: General Overview
2022 Dr Sally Ride quarter value cannot be debated without an understanding of its characteristics. Honoring Dr. Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, it was struck in 2022 and received a design that emphasizes her groundbreaking contributions. So, what does this coin look like?
Features of the 2022 Sally Ride Rare Quarter | |
Year of Issue | 2022 |
Obverse Design | George Washington (by Laura Gardin Fraser) |
Reverse Design | Dr. Sally Ride in a uniform looking out of a spacecraft window |
Composition | 91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel |
Diameter | 24.26 mm |
Thickness | 1.75 mm |
Weight | 5.67 grams |
Mint Marks | “P” for Philadelphia, “D” for Denver, and “S” for San Francisco |
Type | Circulating and Proof Coins |
As such, these coins were produced by three major US Mint sites, i.e., the San Francisco Mint generated limited proof versions, while Philadelphia and Denver issued normal circulation coins with relevant mint marks. What is more, it was not immune to the 2022 quarter Sally Ride errors, which made these numismatic creations even more sought-after and valuable.
2022 Sally Ride Quarter Error List
Just like any other coin, the 2022 Dr Sally Ride quarters cannot avoid getting minting errors for good. These imperfections, which collectors intentionally pursue, include a variety of die clashes, chips, and anomalies that raise the Dr Sally Ride quarter worth well above face value. Here is a quick 2022 Dr Sally Ride quarter error list for one to explore.
Error Name | Description | Value Range |
Ghost Comet | A “trail” near Dr Ride’s image on the reverse (caused by a die clash) | $200–$500 |
Drooling George | A die chip near Washington’s mouth on the obverse | $100–$300 |
Vomit Comet | A die clash that blends the elements of the obverse and reverse designs | $2,000–$10,000+ |
Black Eye | A die clash which resulted in a “black eye” mark on Washington’s cheek | $500–$1,000 |
Errors like "Ghost Comet" and "Drooling George" are among the easiest for novice collectors to obtain, while rarer types like "Vomit Comet" may boast higher prices because of their rarity and distinctive look. Anyway, any error is invaluable, however unusual or severe it may seem.
Coin Valuation per Type
With the help of one of the most reputable sources of numismatic knowledge, i.e., the Coin ID Scanner app, we would like to introduce the idea of how the pricing is formed and what the main valuation trends for each coin type are (apart from Dr Sally Ride 2022 quarter errors which generally cost more). Well, how much is a Dr Sally Ride Quarter worth?
2022-P Dr. Sally Ride Quarter (Philadelphia Mint)
Coins issued at the Philadelphia Mint are often found in circulation, and the majority of them are valued at about face value, or between $0.30 and $0.40 per one. Uncirculated samples that are rated around MS65, however, can sell for around $10. Once, a coin classed MS67+ was purchased for a record of $1,149, though general high-quality specimens graded MS67 and higher can fetch only $30.
2022-D Dr. Sally Ride Quarter (Denver Mint)
The Denver Mint also distributes its quarters extensively. In circulating condition, they are worth between $0.30 and $0.40, just like their Philadelphia counterparts. MS60 to MS65 grades of uncirculated coins are also available, and they usually cost about $10. By the way, for an MS68 coin of this type, the highest reported sale was $995.
2022-S Dr. Sally Ride Quarter (San Francisco Mint)
On its part, the San Francisco strikes regular and proof versions of the Dr. Sally Ride quarters. Circulated samples of the regular strike coins are worth between $0.30 and $0.60, yet higher-quality MS67 coins may fetch up to $35. Surprisingly enough, the 2022-S proof coins, which are minted especially for collectors, are valued at about $15 for coins with the grade PF69 or more.
2022-S Silver Proof Dr. Sally Ride Quarter
Here is another unique type minted by the San Fransisco Mint. It is an extremely rare edition designed for collectors with 90% silver content. As such, these coins are often worth at least $18, though the grade (silver costs) may cause values to increase.
If you are interested in other coins, we recommend you to read some useful numismatic information about the 1970 Quarter Value.
All in All, What to Collect?
Should you like rare error coins, proof versions, or common circulation instances, your collecting path will be determined by what is most important to YOU. Indeed, proof and silver proof versions from San Francisco can enhance your collection, but do you truly like them? Error coins are always an intriguing option, but is it what you are looking for?
And remember the Coin ID Scanner app we mentioned earlier? It is a fantastic tool to help you recognize and assess the value of coins you come across while learning about numismatics on the spot. Every new coin is a step toward creating a valuable, precious collection, regardless of the route you should take.
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