The History of the George Washington Quarter Dollar

During the Great Depression, fewer coins were minted because the economy was struggling, and people didn’t need as many coins. However, an exception occurred in 1932 when the U.S. government decided to honor George Washington’s 200th birthday with a special quarter-dollar coin. This decision gave birth to one of the most iconic coins in American history—the George Washington Quarter.

A Change from the Half Dollar to the Quarter Dollar

Originally, the Treasury Department planned to make a half-dollar coin. They even worked with the Commission of Fine Arts and the Washington Bicentennial Commission to hold a competition for the design. Artists were asked to create a new coin based on a famous bust of Washington sculpted by Jean Antoine Houdon. One of the most notable entrants was Laura Gardin Fraser, a talented artist who had already designed the George Washington Bicentennial medal. She entered the competition along with 97 other people. The Commission unanimously chose her design, but surprisingly, the Treasury rejected it for the quarter dollar coin.

The Design of the Washington Quarter Dollar

If you live in the United States, you’re probably familiar with the Washington quarter. On the front of the coin (called the obverse), Washington’s face is shown in low-relief, meaning his image doesn’t stand out too much from the surface of the coin. His hair is styled in a queue (a long ponytail) and powdered. Around him are the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The date of the coin is placed below his neck.

On the back (the reverse), there’s a majestic eagle with its wings spread, perched on a branch. Above the eagle are the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and below, “QUARTER DOLLAR.” The phrase “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” which means “Out of many, one,” is written above the eagle’s head.

Coin Minting Locations for the Washington Quarter

Mint Location	Total Coins Produced (Business Strikes)	Total Proofs Struck
Denver	Over 5 billion	15 million
Philadelphia	Over 6 billion	20 million
San Francisco	2 billion	10 million
West Point	Less than 1 billion	15 million

Unique Variations of the Washington Quarter

Year	Special Design/Modification	Artist/Designer
1932	Original Design (Obverse by Flanagan)	John Flanagan
1975-1976	“Drummer Boy” Reverse for Bicentennial	Jack Ahrs
1999-2008	50 State Quarters Program	Various

Why Did This Design Win?

So, how did this particular design become the official look of the quarter? It turns out that Andrew Mellon, the Treasury Secretary at the time, simply liked the design by John Flanagan better than Laura Gardin Fraser’s. Mellon, who was one of the richest men in America, had a lot of power and influence. Even after he left his position, the new Treasury Secretary, Ogden Mills, stuck with Mellon’s choice. The design was easy to produce because the low-relief surface meant the coins only needed to be struck once to get a clear image.

However, some of the 1934 coins had issues. The motto, “IN GOD WE TRUST,” was hard to read, even on brand-new coins. To fix this, the design was adjusted over time.

The Washington Quarter’s Legacy

The Washington quarter remains one of the most beloved coins in the U.S. While Washington’s face still appears on the coin, the eagle on the back was replaced in 1999 with designs representing each of the 50 states. Over the years, more than 21 billion quarters have been made across four mints: Denver, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and West Point. There have also been over 60 million proof coins created for collectors.

One particularly special version of the quarter was minted in 1975-1976 to celebrate the Bicentennial of the United States. This quarter had a special design featuring a “Drummer Boy” on the reverse, created by artist Jack Ahrs. It remains a favorite among coin collectors.

Conclusion

The George Washington quarter dollar has a rich history, from its origins during the Great Depression to its continued presence in everyday life. Its simple yet effective design, easy production process, and numerous variations have made it a popular and collectible coin. Whether it’s the traditional eagle or the unique “Drummer Boy” design, the Washington quarter has proven to be an enduring symbol of American history and pride.

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