The American Women Quarters Program has kicked off in full swing and the US Mint continues to release products involving the new quarter dollar designs including individual coins and the Clad Proof Set. We are now gearing up for the release of the program’s very first silver Proof coins as the annual set will continue to be released through 2025.
Struck in 99.9% silver, the 2022 American Women Quarters Proof Set is slated for release tomorrow at 12pm EST. It will include all five coins in a Proof finish and feature reverse designs honoring the following women:
- Maya Angelou - Celebrated author
- Dr. Sally Ride - Physicist and first American woman in space
- Wilma Mankiller - First female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation
- Nina Otero-Warren - A leader in New Mexico’s suffrage movement
- Anna May Wong - First Chinese-American film star in Hollywood
All the coins will be minted at San Francisco and arrive in a protective lens to showcase their beautiful finish. Each set will also be accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity and will retail at $73.
The common obverse of each coin features a portrait of George Washington. Originally created and sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser as an entry for the design of the 1932 quarter, the portrait of the first President of the United States honored the bicentennial of Washington’s birth. Inscriptions feature the words “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “2022.”
Each reverse will honor the five women chosen this year with the following designs:
Maya Angelou
Known as a writer, performer, and social activist, Maya Angelou is featured on the reverse with her arms uplifted. A bird is in flight behind her with a rising sun above, symbolizing her poetry and the inspiration for how she lived. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “MAYA ANGELOU,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “QUARTER DOLLAR” can be seen inscribed around the design done by Emily Damstra, a member of the Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program, or AIP. Medallic Artist Craig A. Campbell sculpted the reverse.
Dr. Sally Ride
Designed by AIP designer Elana Hagler, the reverse features Dr. Sally Ride next to a window aboard the space shuttle. A physicist, astronaut, educator, and the first American woman to soar into space, the entire design is inspired by a quote of hers: “But when I wasn’t working, I was usually at a window looking down at Earth.” “E PLURIBUS UNUM” is intentionally inscribed over Earth in the background and next to America. This was to indicate that of all the women in the United States, Dr. Ride was the first into space. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “QUARTER DOLLAR,” and “DR. SALLY RIDE” are also seen inscribed on the reverse that was sculpted by Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill.
Wilma Mankiller
The first woman elected principal chief of the Cherokee Nation and an activist for Native American and women’s rights, Wilma Mankiller is depicted on the reverse design with a gaze fixed upon the future. She is wrapped in a traditional shawl with a seven-pointed star of the Cherokee Nation to her left. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “QUARTER DOLLAR,” “WILMA MANKILLER,” “PRINCIPAL CHIEF,” and “CHEROKEE NATION” are inscribed throughout. It was designed by AIP Designer Ben Sowards and sculpted by Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill.
Nina Otero-Warren
With three of New Mexico’s state flowers, the Yucca flower, surrounding her, Nina Otero-Warren is featured on the reverse while honoring her leadership in New Mexico’s suffrage movement. She was also the first female superintendent of Santa Fe public schools. Designed by AIP Designer Chris Costello, the reverse also features the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “QUARTER DOLLAR,” E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “NINA OTERO-WARREN,” and “VOTO PARA LA MUJER” which is the Spanish counterpart for the suffragist slogan “Votes for Women.” Medallic Artist Craig A. Campbell sculpted the design.
Anna May Wong
Designed by AIP Designer Emily Damstra and sculpted by Medallic Artist John P. McGraw, the reverse design honoring Anna May Wong features a close up image of the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood. Her head is seen resting on her hand as bright lights of a marquee surround her. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “QUARTER DOLLAR,” and “ANNA MAY WONG” are also inscribed in the design honoring the lasting legacy Wong left for women in the industry.
Source: United States Mint