The United States quarter, formally known as the quarter dollar, is a coin valued at 25 cents, equivalent to one-quarter of a U.S. dollar. In production since 1796, the modern iteration is the Washington quarter, which was first issued in 1932. The obverse, or heads side, of the coin features a profile of the first U.S. President, George Washington.
While the obverse design has remained relatively consistent, the reverse, or tails side, has undergone significant changes, particularly since the end of the 20th century. The U.S. Mint has used the quarter as a medium for several popular commemorative series. These include the 50 State Quarters Program (1999-2008), the D.C. and U.S. Territories Quarters Program, the America the Beautiful Quarters Program (2010-2021), and the currently circulating American Women Quarters Program, which began in 2022. These programs have featured a wide variety of designs celebrating the nation's geography, history, and influential figures.
Regarding its physical composition, the circulating quarter is a "clad" coin. It is constructed with a core of pure copper, which is then clad, or layered, with an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel, known as cupronickel. This gives the coin its silver appearance. The official specifications for the quarter include a weight of 5.670 grams, a diameter of 0.955 inches (24.26 mm), and a thickness of 1.75 mm. The edge of the coin is reeded, featuring 119 distinct grooves.
