United States quarter
The United States quarter is 1/4th of a United States dollar or 25 cents. It is also referred to as two bits because two bits of a divided Spanish silver piece (pieces of eight) made up 1/4th of that coin. The quarter has been produced since 1796.The following types have been produced:
- Draped Bust, Small Eagle 1796
- Draped Bust, Heraldic Eagle 1804-1807
- Capped Bust (Large) 1815-1828
- Capped Bust (Small) 1831-1838
- Seated Liberty (various subtypes) 1838-1891
- Barber 1892-1916
- Standing Liberty (Type 1) 1916-1917
- Standing Liberty (Type 2) 1917-1930
- Washington (Silver) 1932-1964
- Washington (Clad) 1965-present
The current regular issue coin is the Washington Quarter (showing George Washington) on the obverse, and an eagle on the reverse. The Washington Quarter was designed by John Flannagan. It was initially issued as a circulating commemorative, but was made a regular issue coin in 1934. It's production is temporarily suspended during the statehood quarter program. It's scheduled for return in 2009, unless congress acts to extend the statehood quarter program or changes the design.
In 1999, the Statehood Quarter program of circulating commemorative quarters began. See United States Commemorative Coins for information about other circulating commemoratives.
See also: United States coinage
