Quarter Dollar Coin

Today, the quarter dollar coin is the workhorse of the United States economy when it comes to making change. If people receive a penny or nickel in change, they sometimes leave it in a cup next to the cash register. Quarters, on the other hand, go directly into your pocket. Produced and sold for collectors, silver coins produced by the U.S. Mint are beautiful pieces of art in fine silver. Coins are produced in proof and uncirculated finishes in a variety of options. Silver Bullion Coins provide investors with a convenient and cost effective way to add silver to their investment portfolio.

Circulating CoinsCoin
  • Year of Issue: 1796 to Present
  • Authorizing Legislation: Coinage Act of 1792
1974

Background

The America the Beautiful Quarters® Program is the U.S. 25-cent coin program, spanning 2010 to 2021. The obverse (heads) shows the profile of George Washington used on the quarter since 1932. The reverse (tails) features five designs each year depicting national parks and sites from the 50 states, District of Columbia, and territories.

The 2021 General George Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter will circulate following the issuance of the final coin in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program. The obverse features the profile of Washington and the inscriptions that appeared on the quarter before the 50 State Quarters Program began in 1999. The reverse depicts Washington’s historic crossing of the Delaware River during the American Revolutionary War.

The first quarter made by the U.S. Mint in 1796 was silver. The designs from 1796 to 1930 showed Liberty on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse.

From 1916 to 1930, the Mint produced the “Standing Liberty” quarter designed by Hermon A. MacNeil. The early 20th century brought some of our country’s most iconic coin designs, including this quarter. The obverse featured the figure of Liberty stepping through the opening in a wall. She held a shield in one hand and an olive branch in the other. The reverse depicted an eagle in flight.

Quarter Dollar Coin

In 1932, an image of George Washington designed by John Flanagan replaced Liberty on the obverse of the quarter. The design change honored Washington’s 200th birthday. From 1932 to 1998, the reverse featured an eagle with wings spread, standing on a bundle of arrows with olive branches beneath it. In 1965, the Mint removed silver from the quarter and the composition became copper-nickel clad.

Quarter Dollar Coin

In 1975 and 1976, the Mint celebrated the bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence with a temporary reverse design. The “Bicentennial” quarter shows a colonial drummer and a victory torch circled by 13 stars, representing the 13 original colonies. It is impossible to tell a quarter minted in 1975 from one in 1976, as all are inscribed with “1776-1976”.

From 1999 to 2008, the reverse design changed five times a year through the 50 State Quarters Program. The reverse designs featured elements that celebrated each state. In 2009, the reverse design changed six times through the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program.

Other Circulating Coins:

Penny | Nickel | Dime | Half Dollar

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Characteristics

Quarter Dollar Coin Gold

Obverse (heads): Shows the familiar image of George Washington used on the quarter since 1932.
Reverse (tails): Depicts different national parks and sites from the 50 states, District of Columbia, and territories through the America the Beautiful Quarters Program. Quarter dollar coin 1900

Obverse Inscriptions

  • UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
  • LIBERTY
  • IN GOD WE TRUST
  • QUARTER DOLLAR

Reverse Inscriptions

  • The national site name
  • Location (state or territory)
  • Year
  • E PLURIBUS UNUM

Mint and Mint Mark

One Dollar Coin Value Chart

Specifications

Coin Values Quarters

CompositionWeightDiameterThicknessEdgeNo. of Reeds
Cupro-Nickel
Balance Cu
5.670 g
24.26 mm
1.75 mmReeded119