Maya Angelou Coins Distributed by US Mint Make Her First Black Woman to Appear on Quarters

In January 2022, Maya Angelou became the first Black woman to be depicted on a United States quarter, as the U.S. Mint began shipping the newly minted coins to banks on 10/01/2022. The release marked the start of the American Women Quarters Program, a four-year initiative running from 2022 through 2025 to honor the contributions of prominent women in U.S. history. The coins entered general circulation shortly after distribution to financial institutions across the country. The reverse side of the quarter features an image of Dr. Maya Angelou with her arms outstretched. The design includes a bird in flight and a rising sun, visual elements inspired by her literary work, particularly her 1969 memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. The artwork was created by designer Emily Damstra and sculpted by Craig A. Campbell. These symbolic elements reflect themes often associated with Angelou’s writing, including resilience and expression. The obverse side of the coin displays a portrait of George Washington, based on a 1932 design by sculptor Laura Gardin Fraser. This portrait was selected as part of the updated quarter series and represents a return to one of the earliest depictions of Washington considered for U.S. coinage. The inclusion of Fraser’s design also aligns with the program’s broader recognition of women’s contributions, as she was one of the prominent female sculptors of the early 20th century. The American Women Quarters Program introduced multiple new designs each year, with coins honoring different figures released sequentially. The Maya Angelou quarter was the first in the series, setting the precedent for subsequent releases that continued to highlight influential women from various fields including civil rights, science, arts, and public service.