Pioneering Women in Pocket Change: Collecting the 2022 American Women Quarters

2022 marked the launch of one of the most ambitious and consequential coin programs in recent U.S. Mint history—the American Women Quarters (AWQ). Authorized by Congress with Public Law 116-330 in January 2021, this four-year initiative will honor the legacies of 20 trailblazing women, five each year from 2022 through 2025. As a collector and numismatic expert, I believe these coins represent an exciting opportunity to celebrate American history while expanding the hobby to new audiences.

Program Overview

For each year of the program, the Mint will issue five different reverse designs for the Washington Quarter, each showcasing an accomplished American woman. The obverse of the coins will continue to feature a portrait of George Washington, albeit in a different design than currently used, to maintain a level of familiarity. The AWQ coins will be released into general circulation, meaning they will turn up in pocket change, while the Mint will also offer collector-focused products like proof sets, uncirculated sets, and silver proof sets.

The Secretary of the Treasury selects the women to be honored following consultation with the Smithsonian Institution‘s American Women‘s History Initiative, the National Women‘s History Museum, and the Congressional Bipartisan Women‘s Caucus. The law requires the chosen women to come from diverse backgrounds and to have made significant contributions to America in a wide range of fields.

The 2022 Honorees

The inaugural AWQ roster for 2022 featured five phenomenal women who embody the program‘s ideals—celebrated poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou; pioneering astronaut Dr. Sally Ride; Wilma Mankiller, the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation; suffrage leader and educator Nina Otero-Warren; and Chinese-American movie star Anna May Wong. Here‘s a closer look at each of these remarkable figures:

Maya Angelou

The first AWQ honoree, Maya Angelou, is one of the most influential authors in American history. Born in Missouri in 1928, she had a difficult childhood shaped by poverty, racism, and trauma, including a sexual assault at age 7 that led her to become virtually mute for five years. She found solace in literature and went on to become a cultural icon, known for her powerful memoirs, essays, and poetry.

Angelou achieved international acclaim with her groundbreaking 1969 memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which candidly recounted her early life and became a bestseller. She was a key figure in the civil rights movement, working with both Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. In 1993, she recited her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at President Clinton‘s inauguration, making her the first African American and second-ever poet to read at the ceremony.

The Angelou quarter, designed by Emily Damstra and sculpted by Craig A. Campbell, shows the author with arms uplifted before a bird in flight and rising sun. The elegant design perfectly captures Angelou‘s creativity, wisdom, and grace.

Dr. Sally Ride

Dr. Sally Ride, honored on the second AWQ coin, made history in 1983 as the first American woman in space. Born in California in 1951, Ride was drawn to science from a young age. After earning a Ph.D. in physics from Stanford, she applied to NASA and in 1978 was one of six women selected for the astronaut corps. On June 18, 1983, she launched aboard space shuttle Challenger as a mission specialist, breaking NASA‘s gender barrier.

After retiring from NASA in 1987, Dr. Ride became a champion of science education. She co-founded Sally Ride Science, an organization dedicated to promoting STEM literacy and inspiring young people, especially girls, to pursue science and technology careers. She also served on the investigative panels for the Challenger and Columbia shuttle disasters, the only person to sit on both committees.

Designed by Elana Hagler and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, Dr. Ride‘s quarter shows her next to a shuttle window, evoking her historic journey and love of space exploration. It‘s a powerful tribute to a true pioneer.

Wilma Mankiller

The third 2022 honoree, Wilma Mankiller, made history as the Cherokee Nation‘s first female Principal Chief. Born in Oklahoma in 1945, Mankiller and her family were part of the forced relocation of Native Americans from their ancestral lands. This searing experience lit a fire in Mankiller to fight for Native rights and sovereignty.

After returning to Oklahoma, Mankiller began an influential career in tribal government. She ran for Deputy Chief in 1983 alongside Ross Swimmer and won, becoming the first woman elected to the Cherokee Nation‘s top leadership. In 1985, when Chief Swimmer left for a federal position, Mankiller succeeded him, again a first for a woman.

As Principal Chief, Mankiller was a strong advocate for healthcare, education, and economic development. She worked tirelessly to reassert tribal self-determination and preserve Cherokee culture. Among her many honors was receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Clinton in 1998.

Mankiller‘s quarter, by Benjamin Sowards and Phebe Hemphill, depicts her looking ahead with determination, a seven-pointed star symbolizing the Cherokee Nation by her side. It‘s a stirring portrait of a courageous leader.

Nina Otero-Warren

Nina Otero-Warren, the fourth AWQ honoree of 2022, was a key figure in New Mexico‘s suffrage movement and the first Latina to run for U.S. Congress. Born in 1881 to a prominent New Mexico family, Otero-Warren leveraged her status to advocate for voting rights, working to ensure that Hispanic women were included in the suffrage victory.

Beyond her suffrage leadership, Otero-Warren was a dedicated educator. In 1917, she became Santa Fe‘s first female Superintendent of Instruction. She fought to expand educational access, especially for Spanish-speaking and Native communities. Otero-Warren also supported public health, serving as a tuberculosis healthcare coordinator during World War I.

In 1922, Otero-Warren ran for a U.S. House seat, a landmark moment despite her loss. She remained a force in New Mexico politics, promoting Hispanic heritage and women‘s rights until her death in 1965. Chris Costello and Craig A. Campbell‘s quarter design features a proud Otero-Warren with yucca flowers, capturing her strength and grace.

Anna May Wong

Rounding out the 2022 AWQ honorees is Anna May Wong, a trailblazing Chinese-American actress. Born in Los Angeles in 1905 as Wong Liu Tsong, she defied severe anti-Asian discrimination to forge a remarkable, international film career.

Wong achieved stardom in the 1920s-30s, appearing in over 60 films like The Toll of the Sea (1922), The Thief of Bagdad (1924) and Shanghai Express (1932). She frequently faced degrading stereotypical roles and was even barred from on-screen interracial kisses by anti-miscegenation laws. Seeking better opportunities, Wong moved to Europe where she made notable movies and found greater success.

Back in America, Wong continued battling racism in Hollywood. She was devastated after losing the lead role in The Good Earth (1937) to a white actress in yellowface. Yet Wong persisted, becoming the first Asian-American woman to lead a U.S. TV show in 1951 with The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong.

Emily Damstra and John P. McGraw‘s quarter shows a glamorous portrait of Wong with marquee lights, honoring the film icon who blazed a trail for AAPI actors.

Mintage Figures & Collectibility

As the first year of issue, the 2022 AWQ coins are poised to generate significant collector interest. Based on mintage numbers from past programs, I expect the Philadelphia (P) and Denver (D) mint strikes to be most common, with lower figures for the San Francisco (S) proofs.

Here‘s a speculative comparison to similar recent programs:

Several factors could boost the collectibility of the 2022 AWQ coins:

1. First-year status: As the debut of a major series, the 2022 issues will hold a special "first of" premium for many collectors.

2. Design quality: All five 2022 coins feature beautiful, creative designs that capture the strength and spirit of these remarkable women. Attractive and meaningful artwork tends to spur collector demand.

3. Important subject matter: Beyond their individual accomplishments, the 2022 honorees represent larger historical themes and movements, from civil rights and women‘s suffrage to STEM achievement and Asian-American representation. The social and cultural significance of the women will draw interest beyond the core collecting community.

4. Relative scarcity: If mintages fall on the lower end of my estimates, the limited supply could drive up prices on the secondary market, especially for top-grade examples. Low-mintage modern issues are very popular with Registry Set collectors.

Looking Ahead

The AWQ program is off to a strong start with the 2022 honorees. I believe it will only continue to pick up steam in future years, as more diverse and fascinating women are selected. The program offers a fantastic chance to spark interest in coin collecting among young people and new collectors, who may connect with the women and their stories.

For those looking to collect the AWQ series, I recommend trying to acquire each design from both the Philadelphia and Denver mints to capture the full 2022 set. Proof versions from San Francisco will command higher premiums but could be solid long-term performers. Collectors on a budget may stick to circulation strikes, but either way, I predict the series will reward collectors who get in from the start and build a complete set over the four years.

The American Women Quarters serve as a powerful reminder that greatness comes in many forms. From artists and activists to scientists and suffrage leaders, the women honored in 2022 embody the best of the American spirit. By celebrating their legacies on our coinage, we not only pay tribute to the past but also inspire new generations to make their mark. That is perhaps the most enduring impact of this groundbreaking series.