In 2022, the U.S. Mint launched an exciting new coin program honoring the achievements and contributions of notable American women throughout history. The American Women Quarters Program features a diverse selection of women on the reverse design of quarters issued from 2022 through 2025.
One of the first trailblazing women chosen to appear on these special quarters in 2022 was Anna May Wong – a pioneering Chinese American actress who broke barriers in Hollywood. As both an important historical figure and numismatic first, the 2022 Anna May Wong quarter is highly sought-after by collectors. But just how much is this groundbreaking coin worth? Let‘s take a deep dive into the value of the Anna May Wong quarter.
Who Was Anna May Wong?
Before we examine the coin itself, it‘s important to understand the historical significance of the woman it honors. Born in Los Angeles in 1905, Anna May Wong began her film career at the young age of 14 as an extra. She soon transitioned to leading roles, becoming the first Chinese American movie star in Hollywood.
Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Wong starred in over 60 movies, showcasing her talents in both silent films and talkies. She acted in productions in the U.S. and Europe, even becoming the first Asian American lead actor in a U.S. television show. However, Wong faced significant discrimination and was often limited to stereotypical and demeaning supporting roles due to the racist attitudes prevalent in the early 20th century entertainment industry.
Despite the obstacles and challenges she faced, Anna May Wong persevered with her acting career and became an international star. She helped pave the way for greater representation of Asian Americans in film and media. Her legacy has continued to inspire actors and filmmakers long after her passing in 1961 at the age of 56.
In recognition of her pioneering work, Anna May Wong received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. Being featured on the U.S. quarter in 2022 further cemented her status as an iconic figure in American history and popular culture. The Anna May Wong quarter allows this important trailblazer‘s legacy to be honored and shared with new generations.
Anna May Wong Quarter Design
The obverse (front) of the 2022 Anna May Wong quarter features a portrait of George Washington originally created by Laura Gardin Fraser as a design entry for the 1932 quarter, which honored the bicentennial of Washington‘s birth. Fraser‘s elegant design was recommended for the new quarter over 100 other entries but ultimately not chosen. Decades later, her obverse design was finally utilized for the 1999 gold $5 commemorative coin and then the State Quarters series starting in 2022.
The reverse (back) of the Anna May Wong quarter was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Designer Emily Damstra and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artist John P. McGraw. It features a striking portrait of Anna May Wong with her head resting on her hand, surrounded by the bright lights of a marquee, which are inscribed into the coin‘s edge.
Along the top border of the coin, the name "ANNA MAY WONG" is inscribed, while "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and "QUARTER DOLLAR" encircle the rest of the design. The artist‘s initials are also included. Overall, the Anna May Wong quarter has a bold, eye-catching reverse design with a distinctly Art Deco flair that wonderfully represents the style and glamor of her 1920s-1930s film career.
2022 Anna May Wong Quarter Mintages
The 2022 Anna May Wong quarters were produced at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco branches of the U.S. Mint for both circulation and collector purposes:
Philadelphia (P): 226.8 million
Denver (D): 240 million
San Francisco (S): Minted for collector sets, mintage not yet published
Based on these large mintage figures for the circulation strikes from the Philadelphia and Denver mints, the 2022 Anna May Wong quarter is very common in general circulation and will be readily available to collectors from pocket change and banks for face value. However, the San Francisco-minted quarters, reserved for special collector sets, are much scarcer and carry a significant premium.
Types of 2022 Anna May Wong Quarters
In addition to the circulation strikes for commercial use, the U.S. Mint also produced several collectible versions of the 2022 Anna May Wong quarter in different finishes and compositions at the San Francisco branch:
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Proof: Struck on specially polished blanks multiple times for sharp detail and mirror-like backgrounds. Part of the clad proof set, silver proof set, and limited edition silver proof set.
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Reverse Proof: Features mirrored, frosted design elements against a reflective background for a unique appearance. Included in the silver proof set and limited edition silver proof set.
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Uncirculated: Collectible-quality examples from the Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco mints included in the 2022 uncirculated coin set and the three-roll set of uncirculated quarters offered by the U.S. Mint.
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Silver: Struck in 99.9% fine silver instead of the standard clad composition. Available in both proof and reverse proof finishes in the silver proof set and limited edition silver proof set.
Collectors interested in acquiring these special versions of the Anna May Wong quarter in pristine condition will need to purchase them directly from the U.S. Mint or on the secondary market from coin dealers and other collectors. Prices vary based on the finish and composition.
Initial Anna May Wong Quarter Values
So what are the 2022 Anna May Wong quarters worth during their initial period of release? Here‘s a breakdown of approximate retail values for the different versions:
Circulation Strikes (Clad)
- 2022-P MS-65 (Uncirculated) – $0.50 to $1
- 2022-D MS-65 (Uncirculated) – $0.50 to $1
- 2022-S MS-65 (Uncirculated) – $2 to $3
Proofs (Clad)
- 2022-S Proof-65 – $4 to $5
- 2022-S Proof-70 Deep Cameo – $15 to $25
Silver Proofs
- 2022-S Silver Proof-65 – $10 to $15
- 2022-S Silver Proof-70 Deep Cameo – $30 to $50
Of course, these are only ballpark figures during the early period of issue. Over time, the value of these coins may change depending on collector demand, rarity compared to the other coins in the series, and the broader coin market. Generally speaking, the silver versions and coins in perfect PR/MS-70 grade will be the most valuable.
Anna May Wong Quarter Errors and Varieties
As with any coin release, a small percentage of the 2022 Anna May Wong quarters may contain notable mint errors or varieties that can significantly increase their numismatic value. Some of the errors and varieties reported by collectors so far include:
- Doubling of fingers in Anna May Wong‘s hand
- Die cracks and die chips in the design (her face, hand, etc.)
- Off-center strikes
- Broadstruck or other major striking errors
The value of error coins depends heavily on the magnitude and visual appeal of the error. Minor doubled dies or die chips may only add a small premium, while major off-center strikes or fold-over strikes could be worth hundreds of dollars or more to error collectors.
Since the Anna May Wong quarter is still a very new issue, more interesting errors and varieties may emerge as collectors examine their coins more closely. It‘s an exciting area for collectors to explore.
Most Valuable Anna May Wong Quarters
Although the 2022 Anna May Wong quarters have only been released for a short time, there have already been some notable sales of rare high-grade examples and errors. Here are a few of the top auction results so far:
- 2022-S Silver Proof PR-70 DCAM sold for $3,000 in February 2023
- 2022-P Reverse Die Break Error graded MS-67 sold for $2,200
- 2022-D Early Strike graded MS-69 by PCGS sold for $899
- 2022-D Uncirculated with Die Chips on Neck graded MS-68 sold for $362
These ultra high-grade and dramatic error coins represent the cream of the crop for the Anna May Wong quarter. With such limited populations and strong collector demand, they have already reached lofty prices. It will be interesting to see if these record prices are eclipsed as more collectors pursue registry sets and hunt for rare varieties.
Collecting Anna May Wong Quarters
For collectors interested in acquiring 2022 Anna May Wong quarters for their collections, there are several different approaches to consider:
Circulation Finds: It‘s easy and affordable to assemble a set of Philadelphia and Denver circulation strikes from pocket change, bank rolls or boxes of quarters. Coins in circulated condition will only be worth face value, but you can still appreciate the design. Remember to always check your change!
Mint Sets: Purchasing the annual 2022 uncirculated coin set, proof set, silver proof set or limited edition silver proof set from the U.S. Mint is a convenient way to add high-quality Anna May Wong quarters to your collection in their original government packaging.
Certified Coins: For registry set builders and collectors who desire the finest-available coins, submitting your uncirculated and proof Anna May Wong quarters to a third-party grading service like PCGS or NGC will provide a certified grade and authentication. High-grade certified coins (MS/PR-69 and 70) carry a substantial premium.
Errors and Varieties: Examining your coins closely with a magnifying glass may yield some exciting discoveries. Collecting the error varieties of the Anna May Wong quarter is a fun specialization with the potential for valuable finds.
Other American Women Quarters: Expand your collection to include all of the different designs of the 2022-2025 American Women quarter program. In addition to Anna May Wong, future honorees will include Dr. Sally Ride, Wilma Mankiller, Nina Otero-Warren, and Adelina Otero-Warren, among others. Collecting the entire series will make an impressive display.
Conclusion
The 2022 Anna May Wong quarter is an exciting modern issue that combines important American history with an elegant, stylish design. As the first coin of the new American Women Quarters Program, it‘s an especially notable numismatic release with strong collector demand.
While common circulation strikes will be readily obtainable for face value, the silver proof, reverse proof and uncirculated versions are worth a significant premium, especially in the highest grades. Mint errors and varieties also have the potential to be quite valuable to specialists.
Whether you‘re drawn to the Anna May Wong quarter because of its historical significance, artistic design, or potential for financial upside, it‘s a great modern coin to collect with an appealing story for both numismatists and non-collectors alike. Happy collecting!
