Today, Oct. 21, the United States Mint began shipping 2024 Zitkala-Ša quarters to Federal Reserve Banks and their coin terminals for distribution into circulation. This coin is the last of five distinct quarter designs for this year and the fifteenth overall in the U.S. Mint’s American Women Quarters™ Program.
At the onset of the four-year series in 2022, the trailblazers honored were Maya Angelou, Dr. Sally Ride, Wilma Mankiller, Nina Otero-Warren, and Anna May Wong. Quarters for 2023 extended the celebration of the accomplishments and contributions made by American women by honoring Bessie Coleman, Edith Kanakaʻole, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jovita Idar, and Maria Tallchief. Quarters for 2024 pay tribute to Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, Patsy Takemoto Mink, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, Celia Cruz, and Zitkala-Ša.
Zitkala-Ša (1876–1938), born Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, was a prominent Native American writer, editor, musician, educator, and political activist. Hailing from the Yankton Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, she belonged to the Yankton Dakota Sioux tribe. Her Lakota name, Zitkala-Ša, meaning “Red Bird,” reflects her cultural roots.
"Zitkala-Ša was a gifted musician and violinist and collaborated on what is considered the first known American Indian opera. Premiering in Utah in 1913, The Sun Dance Opera was centered on the Sun Dance, a sacred, ceremonial dance that was outlawed by the U.S. government at the time" said U.S. Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson. " Zitkala-Ša felt the opera would be a powerful way to share her values with diverse audiences. Her writings and advocacy continue to have an impact today."
The quarter’s reverse (tails) features Zitkala-Ša in traditional Yankton Sioux attire, holding a book symbolizing her achievements as both an author and advocate for Native American rights. A stylized sun in the background honors her contributions to The Sun Dance Opera, while a cardinal represents her name. A Yankton Sioux-inspired diamond pattern is positioned beneath the sun.
This image was designed by Artist Infusion Program designer Don Everhart and sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist Renata Gordon.
"The design features the effigy of Zitkala-Ša wearing her tribal regalia — the beads and intricate leather straps with metal elements made for a beautiful and challenging subject," said Gordon. "I stayed faithful to the design down to the most minute detail because much of the regalia is steeped in Native American symbolism and meaning. I loved participating in the legend that lives on, as my fellow engravers and I get to do with many of the subjects selected to be on U.S. coinage and medals."
The obverse (heads side) of every American Women Quarter depicts a common design: a portrait of George Washington. Sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser over 90 years ago, this image was originally crafted to mark Washington’s 200th birthday.
Quarters for circulation are produced at U.S. Mint production facilities in Philadelphia and Denver.
Next Monday, Oct. 28, the U.S. Mint will release circulating quality Zitkala-Ša quarters to the public via their website at https://catalog.usmint.gov. These quarters will be offered 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.
Notably, the three-roll set includes a roll of quarters from the San Francisco Mint, offering a unique level of rarity since, unlike those from Philadelphia and Denver, these quarters are not released into general circulation.
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.
