Washington Quarter News

The Washington quarter has been an important part of American coinage since its inception in 1932. Originally created to commemorate George Washington’s 200th birthday, the quarter has seen numerous changes and special editions over the years.

History

The first Washington quarter was introduced in 1932. It featured John Flanagan’s depiction of George Washington on the obverse, with an eagle on the reverse. This design remained largely unchanged until 1999.

State Quarters Program

In 1999, the U.S. Mint began the 50 State Quarters Program. Over 10 years, quarters honored each of the 50 states. The obverse still featured Washington, but each reverse depicted a unique state design.

• 1999 – Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut
• 2000 – Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia
• 2001 – New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Kentucky
• 2002 – Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana, Mississippi
• 2003 – Illinois, Alabama, Maine, Missouri, Arkansas
• 2004 – Michigan, Florida, Texas, Iowa, Wisconsin
• 2005 – California, Minnesota, Oregon, Kansas, West Virginia
• 2006 – Nevada, Nebraska, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota
• 2007 – Montana, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah
• 2008 – Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, Hawaii

This program was highly popular with collectors. It increased interest in coin collecting across the country. Over 34 billion state quarters were minted.

Washington D.C. and U.S. Territories Quarters

In 2009, six additional quarters were released. These honored Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

The designs on these quarters varied greatly. They showcased local landmarks, symbols, and cultural elements important to each location.

America the Beautiful Quarters

In 2010, the America the Beautiful Quarters Program started. It will continue until 2021, featuring 56 national parks and sites across the U.S., including one from each state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.

The obverse of these quarters retains the familiar Washington portrait. The reverse features detailed designs of each park or site.

• 2010 – Hot Springs, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Mount Hood
• 2011 – Gettysburg, Glacier, Olympic, Vicksburg, Chickasaw
• 2012 – El Yunque, Chaco Culture, Acadia, Hawaii Volcanoes, Denali
• 2013 – White Mountain, Perry’s Victory, Great Basin, Fort McHenry, Mount Rushmore
• 2014 – Great Smoky Mountains, Shenandoah, Arches, Great Sand Dunes, Everglades
• 2015 – Homestead, Kisatchie, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bombay Hook, Saratoga
• 2016 – Shawnee, Cumberland Gap, Harpers Ferry, Theodore Roosevelt, Fort Moultrie
• 2017 – Effigy Mounds, Frederick Douglass, Ozark Scenic Riverways, Ellis Island, George Rogers Clark
• 2018 – Pictured Rocks, Apostle Islands, Voyageurs, Cumberland Island, Block Island
• 2019 – Lowell, American Memorial Park, War in the Pacific, San Antonio Missions, Frank Church River of No Return
• 2020 – National Park of American Samoa, Weir Farm, Salt River Bay, Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller, Tallgrass Prairie
• 2021 – Tuskegee Airmen

These quarters have become favorites among collectors, partly due to the detailed and artistic designs. The program also promotes awareness of national treasures.

Innovative Coin Features

Recent years have seen the introduction of enhanced uncirculated coins. These feature specialized minting techniques, increasing detail and texture. These coins are available from the U.S. Mint in special sets.

The U.S. Mint has also experimented with various finishes. Proof quarters, which have a mirror-like finish, are specifically made for collectors.

Upcoming Releases

Following the America the Beautiful Quarters Program, a new series will begin. This will feature prominent American women. Set to start in 2022, these quarters will honor contributions women have made throughout U.S. history.

Five new designs are planned each year, similar in approach to the state quarters program. The first coins will honor Maya Angelou, Dr. Sally Ride, Wilma Mankiller, Nina Otero-Warren, and Anna May Wong.

Collecting Trends

Collectors are drawn to specific trends. Beautiful designs, limited releases, and historical value increase interest. Limited edition sets, such as silver proof sets, are especially sought after.

Understanding mint marks is crucial for collectors. These small letters indicate which mint produced the coin. Common marks include P for Philadelphia, D for Denver, S for San Francisco, and W for West Point.

Minting Errors

Errors add another layer of interest. Some well-known errors include doubled dies, where images appear doubled, and off-center strikes, where the design is not properly aligned. These errors can make coins more valuable.

Resources for Collectors

Collectors often use resources such as coin books, online forums, and mint releases to stay informed. Books like the Official Red Book provide detailed information on coin values and histories.

Online communities offer avenues for discussion and trade. Websites like the U.S. Mint’s official site provide direct access to new releases and detailed information about upcoming coins.

The Washington quarter remains a staple in both spending and collecting. Its evolving designs reflect the nation’s history and beauty.

“`