The Maya Angelou quarters have been released from the U.S. Mint in 2020, and they are currently in circulation. This commemorative coin was the creation of two programs: the United States Mint’s “Celebrating Remarkable Women™” initiative and the “America the Beautiful” Quarters Program. It is the first quarter in the series to honor a woman of color and the first commemorative coin to feature the literary work of an African-American.
The Maya Angelou coins bear a portrait of the author, along with an image of her facing a sun rising over the horizon. Inscribed on the reverse of the quarter is the quote “A brave and startling truth”. This is a quote from her book, A Brave and Startling Truth, and it also appears on the mint mark of the coins. The quarters are being issued in both Proof and Uncirculated versions, with the Uncirculated versions featuring a “P” mint mark for production at the Philadelphia Mint.
The response to the Maya Angelou quarters has been both positive and enthusiastic from the public. People from all walks of life have been collecting them and displaying them prominently in their homes and offices. They are also proving to be a hit on the resale markets, with some of the more rare varieties selling for high prices. To commemorate the launch of the coins, the US Mint has created an educational website called “The Maya Angelou Legacy Project” to share the stories of her life and work, and to help promote the coins in circulation.
The Maya Angelou quarters are yet another example of how the US Mint is embracing diversity in US currency. It is encouraging to see the celebration of a prominent African-American figure in the public eye, and the coins are a great way to honor her achievements. Not only is the coin a beautiful piece of art and design, but it also serves as a reminder of her powerful and inspirational life story.
In conclusion, the Maya Angelou quarters are a wonderful tribute to the late author and an important piece of US currency. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they are also a reminder of how far we have come as a nation in embracing diversity. Whether you are collecting them as a souvenir or simply as a reminder of Maya’s life and work, the Maya Angelou quarters are a powerful symbol of the progress we have made and an amazing way to celebrate her memory.
Impact of Maya Angelou Quarters
As the first commemorative coin to feature the literary works of a woman of color, the Maya Angelou quarters are set to have a lasting impact. They have already caught the attention of the public in the United States and beyond and are proving to be extremely popular collectors’ items. Beyond the impact of the design and the fact that the coin is celebrating a prominent figure in the United States, many people have taken the time to appreciate the deeper meaning of the coins. The presence of a coin honoring a woman of color highlights the progress that has been made in America and can serve as a reminder of how far we still have to come.
The circulation impact of the coins is already being felt. The coins will be available in circulation for at least 10 years, making them easy to find and proudly display. Once in circulation, the coins will offer a daily reminder of the the impact of Maya Angelou and her works, not only in the United States but also worldwide. With their release, Maya Angelou’s story is being shared with a new generation in an engaging and accessible way, and the impact of this is likely to be felt for many years to come.
The Mays Angelou quarters are a reminder of how far we have come in terms of social and racial progress in the United States. They are also an important reminder of the need for further advances in this area, both in the US and around the world. The coins serve as a powerful symbol of the strides that have been made and the energy that we have to create a more diverse and equitable society. They provide an opportunity for people to purchase, proudly display, and share the coins with others, making a powerful statement about the progress we have made and the potential for further change.
Detailed Design of Maya Angelou Quarters
The Maya Angelou quarters are produced by the United States Mint in both Proof and Uncirculated versions. They feature a portrait of the author on the obverse side, along with two inscriptions. The primary inscription is the native language of her tribe, the Tsalagi (or Cherokee), which translates to “A Brave and Startling Truth”. The second inscription reads “Maya Angelou”. The reverse side of the quarter features an image of the horizon, with the rising sun suggesting a hopeful new day.
The coins are produced in a much higher quality than regular circulating coins and feature a much higher level of detail. The obverse side features a textured background with a stylized image of the author, which includes her iconic feather fan. The reverse side features a similar textured background, with a stylistic image of the rising sun and the horizon.
The Proof and Uncirculated versions also feature a mint mark associated with the issue. The Uncirculated coins feature a “P” for production at the Philadelphia Mint, while the Proof version features a “W” for production at the West Point Mint. This allows buyers to identify the source of the coins and to track their individual value on the market.
Overall, the Maya Angelou quarters are an exquisite piece of art and engineering. They have been crafted to the highest standards of detail and quality and feature innovative design elements that make them unique and valuable. For collectors, they offer a rare and beautiful tribute to the achievements of Maya Angelou, and to the progress we have made in recognizing the worth of women of color.
Exploring Collectibility of Maya Angelou Quarters
Due to their commemorative nature and high level of detail, the Maya Angelou quarters are proving to be immensely desirable to collectors. Since their release, certain notable coins have sold for high prices on the resale market, with some of the rarest versions fetching close to or even more than their face value. The most desirable versions are those with a “W” mint mark for production at the West Point Mint, as well as Uncirculated versions with a “P” mark for production at the Philadelphia Mint, as these versions are much rarer.
The coins have become increasingly collectible due to the unique nature of the design and the fact that they are the first coins to feature the literary work of a woman of color. Collectors are eager to add these coins to their collections, and the coins have been selling out quickly when they are released. The fact that the coins are in circulation and are affordable to most people also means that they are accessible to a wider range of collectors, which has helped to increase their popularity.
The coins are also an attractive investment opportunity. As they are limited edition coins, their value is likely to rise over time. With their rarity, collectibility, and attractive design, the coins are a great addition to any coin collection and offer the potential for long term returns.
Role of Educational Website
To promote the circulation of the Maya Angelou coins, the US Mint created an educational website called “The Maya Angelou Legacy Project”, with the goal of introducing the author’s life and works to a new generation. The website provides an opportunity for people to learn about her life and works, as well as to gain an appreciation of the importance of her figure and contribution to the world. It also provides a platform to share the coins with others, making them more accessible to those who may not have otherwise been able to acquire them.
The educational website has also helped to promote the coins in circulation. It offers a variety of resources and helpful tools to make it easier for people to identify and purchase the coins, as well as to keep track of the most popular coins in circulation. This means that collectors have access to a wealth of resources and up-to-date information, making it easier for them to keep track of the market and find coins that are of particular value or interest.
Furthermore, the website has enabled the Mint to reach a wider range of collectors. Through the educational website, coins can easily be purchased online, which has enabled the coins to reach collectors in both the United States and beyond. As such, the educational website has helped to spread awareness of the coins and to make them more widely available.
Tributes to Maya Angelou with Quarters
Since their release, the Maya Angelou quarters have been bought and proudly displayed by people from all walks of life. They have become an important symbol of the progress we have made in terms of social and racial justice, and a way to celebrate the memory of Maya Angelou and her lasting legacy. Many people have chosen to purchase and display the coins as a tribute to her accomplishments, as a reminder of the need for further progress, or as a way of celebrating and uplifting the works of African-American authors.
The coins are also often used as gifts. Collectors have reported giving the coins to friends and family as a symbol of hope and empowerment, or as a reminder of the power of Black women and their contributions to the world. The coins serve as a powerful reminder of the potential for progress and their symbolism resonates with people from all backgrounds.
The Maya Angelou quarters offer us a way of honoring the life and works of a remarkable woman and a powerful symbol of the progress we have made in recognizing the worth of women of color. They offer us a unique way to celebrate her legacy and make her story accessible to a new generation. For those who are fortunate enough to get the chance to own one of these coins, the Maya Angelou quarters provide an opportunity to pay tribute to a great figure in African-American history.
