On Monday, June 3, the United States Mint will begin shipping 2024 Dr. Mary Edwards Walker quarters to Federal Reserve Banks and their coin terminals for distribution into circulation. This coin marks the third of five distinct quarter designs for this year and the thirteenth overall from the U.S. Mint’s American Women Quarters™ Program.
At the onset of the four-year series in 2022, the individuals celebrated 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 recognize Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, Patsy Takemoto Mink, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, Celia Cruz, and Zitkala-Ša.
Walker was a Civil War era surgeon, women’s rights advocate, and abolitionist. She is the only woman to receive the Medal of Honor.
This latest quarter "celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker," said Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson. "Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was relentless in her efforts to serve as a surgeon in the Civil War at a time when women were not permitted to serve in the military. She demonstrated tremendous courage for frequently crossing battle lines to care for wounded soldiers and as a prisoner of war for four months."
The reverse (tails side) of the quarter depicts Walker holding her pocket surgical kit, with the Medal of Honor on her uniform, and surgeon’s pin at her collar. The image was designed and sculpted by U.S. Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill.
"I was tremendously inspired by this brave woman’s story and realized that she was at least one hundred years ahead of her time," said Hemphill. "My hope is that her quarter will make her life story widely known."
The obverses (heads side) of quarters within the program feature a portrait of George Washington. This image, sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser over 90 years ago, commemorated Washington’s 200th birthday.
Quarters for circulation are produced at U.S. Mint production facilities in Philadelphia and Denver.
On Monday, June 17, the U.S. Mint will offer circulating quality Dr. Mary Edwards quarters to the public through their website at https://catalog.usmint.gov. These quarters will be available in three different product options:
- a set of two rolls for $40,
- a set of three rolls for $60, and
- 100-coin bags at $45 apiece.
Of note, regarding the three-roll set, one of the rolls includes quarters from the San Francisco Mint, adding a unique level of rarity because, unlike those minted in Philadelphia and Denver, these quarters are not found in general circulation.
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 honor Ida B. Wells, Juliette Gordon Low, Dr. Vera Rubin, Stacey Park Milbern, and Althea Gibson.
