Quarter (United States coin)

Quarter (United States coin)

The Quarter is a coin of the United States valued at 25 cents, or one-fourth of a United States dollar. It has been produced since 1796 in various designs, reflecting the history and heritage of the United States. The quarter is one of the most widely circulated and used coins in the country.

History

The first quarters were struck in 1796, following the establishment of the United States Mint in 1792. The initial design featured the Bust of Liberty on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse, a motif common to several coins of the period. Over the years, the quarter has undergone numerous redesigns. Notable designs include the Standing Liberty quarter (1916-1930) and the Washington quarter, introduced in 1932 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington's birth. The Washington quarter design has been the standard since then, with minor variations.

State Quarters Program

In 1999, the United States Mint launched the 50 State Quarters Program, a highly popular initiative that featured unique designs for each of the 50 states on the reverse of the quarter. Running until 2008, this program was followed by the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories quarters in 2009.

America the Beautiful Quarters

Following the success of the State Quarters Program, the Mint introduced the America the Beautiful Quarters Program in 2010. This series features national parks and national sites from each state, district, and territory. The program is scheduled to conclude in 2021, having showcased the natural and historical diversity of the United States.

Design

The current design of the quarter features the profile of George Washington on the obverse. The reverse has varied over the years, especially with the introduction of the State Quarters and America the Beautiful series. The composition of the quarter has also changed, from silver to a combination of copper and nickel in 1965, due to the rising cost of silver.

Circulation and Collection

Quarters are widely used in everyday transactions in the United States. They are also popular among collectors, particularly the special series like the State Quarters and America the Beautiful Quarters. Collectors often seek quarters with specific historical or design significance, as well as errors and rarities.

See Also

• United States Mint
• United States dollar
• Coin collecting

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