On Tuesday, Jan. 2, the United States Mint will begin shipping 2024 Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray quarters to Federal Reserve Banks and their coin terminals for distribution into circulation. This coin represents the first of five distinct quarter designs for this year and the eleventh in total from the U.S. Mint’s American Women Quarters™ Program.
At the beginning of the four-year series in 2022, the honored individuals feature Maya Angelou, Dr. Sally Ride, Wilma Mankiller, Nina Otero-Warren and Anna May Wong. Quarters for 2023 extended the celebration of accomplishments and contributions made by American women by honoring Bessie Coleman, Edith Kanakaʻole, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jovita Idar and Maria Tallchief. Quarters for 2024 honor Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, Patsy Takemoto Mink, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, Celia Cruz, and Zitkala-Ša.
"Reverend Dr. Murray was keenly aware of the oppression that she faced as a Black woman. She lived her life and fought tirelessly as a steadfast advocate for civil rights and gender equality," said Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson.
The reverse (tails side) of the quarter showcases Murray’s eyeglass-framed face forming the word "HOPE," symbolizing Murray’s belief in the potential for significant societal reforms rooted in hope. Within the design, there is an inscription from her poem "Dark Testament," characterizing hope as "A SONG IN A WEARY THROAT." The image was designed by U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program Artist Emily Damstra and sculpted by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Joseph Menna.
"The unique juxtaposition of text and Dr. Murray’s face challenged the way I approached sculpting the relief for this design," said Menna. "The likeness needed to honor the surface of the letters yet still project the illusion of being in the round. I hope achieving this goal honors both the integrity of the design and Dr. Murray’s legacy."
The obverses (heads side) of quarters within the program feature a portrayal of George Washington. This portrait, sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser over 90 years ago, commemorated Washington’s bicentennial birthday.
Quarters for circulation are produced at U.S. Mint production facilities in Philadelphia and Denver.
On Thursday, Feb. 15, the U.S. Mint will release circulating Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray quarters to the public through their website at https://catalog.usmint.gov. These quarters will be available in three different packaging options:
- a set of two rolls for $40,
- a set of three rolls for $60, and
- 100-coin bags at $45 apiece.
Notably, the three-roll set includes a roll of quarters struck at the San Francisco Mint, adding a heightened level of uniqueness as these quarters will not be found in circulation like the ones produced in Philadelphia and Denver.
U.S. Mint subscriptions for 2024 quarters product are available now. Subscribers to Mint products automatically receive them when they are released.
The final coins from the program, quarters for 2025, will recognize Ida B. Wells, Juliette Gordon Low, Dr. Vera Rubin, Stacey Park Milbern, and Althea Gibson.
The Obama quarter….HOPE kinda stolen design idea
another coin that will be hoarded somewhere by someone who will spend them in10,years when they realize no profit & worth 5c by then……
I “HOPE” these AWQ 25-cents coins are used in vending machines, and circulate across the country so everyone can get a “P” & “D” from circulation at face value, instead of paying the U.S. Mint 50-cents each in circulation-quality rolls!
NumisdudeTX
Hope and change. Obama was misquoted. Vote for me and HOPE someone tosses you CHANGE in your cup.