Maya Angelou is a celebrated African American poet, author and civil rights activist who has profoundly influenced the arts and society for decades. The United States recently released a new quarter featuring a portrait of Maya Angelou. This is the first time an African-American woman is being commemorated on the currency. The Maya Angelou quarter is a marvelous way to honor and recognize her prestigious legacy. But how many maya angelou quarters are in circulation?
The Maya Angelou quarter is in high demand, so much so that the United States Mint is unable to keep up with the number of orders it receives. According to the Mint, they produced 2.2 million quarters featuring the portrait of Maya Angelou. With such a large supply, it stands to reason that the Maya Angelou quarter is widely circulated throughout the US.
The status of Maya Angelou quarters in circulation can be broken down into overall and yearly estimates. In total, there are around 2.2 million of this quarter in circulation. That number is static until the US Mint produces new quarters with the same design. However, there could be anywhere from 750,000 to one million Maya Angelou quarters in circulation on an annual basis.
In terms of rarity and collectability, the Maya Angelou quarter is not particularly rare, given that there is a solid amount of them in circulation. In addition, their value is still below the face value of one quarter itself. On top of this, the Mint releases large amounts of quarters that use various designs, so the value of Maya Angelou quarters does not drastically go up as it does for rare coins. On the bright side, this makes the Maya Angelou quarter a great opportunity for collectors and coin enthusiasts.
The Maya Angelou quarter is a remarkable way to honor the memory of the legendary African American poet. They are widely available and easy to get and there are currently an estimated 2.2 million Maya Angelou quarters in circulation. They are collectible and great for coin fans, but their face value is not particularly high.
How the Maya Angelou Quarter Was Made
The Maya Angelou quarter was produced by the United States Mint and was officially released on June 4th, 2018. It was created in commemoration of the late poet’s life and legacy and features her portrait on the front of the coin. The back of the coin is adorned with her words “A Brave and Startling Truth” from her poem “Human Family.” The process of creating the quarter was quite complicated, as the Mint had to consult several partners, including the Fine Arts Commission, to ensure that the design was visually appealing and representative of Maya Angelou.
In order to make the Maya Angelou quarter, the United States Mint crafted the artwork and then a plaster model of the coin was created. From there, the original quarter design was cast in a die and pressed onto metal blanks using a procedure called coining. Finally, each finished coin was then inspected for defects to make sure the quality was up to standard before it was released to the public.
The Significance of the Maya Angelou Quarter
The Maya Angelou quarter is an important milestone not just for African American representation but also American currency in general. Civil Rights activist Dolores Huerta remarked “It is a great sign of our country’s diversity being recognized on the currency.” Indeed, it is the first time an African-American woman will be featured on US currency as well as only the second woman to appear on US currency in general (first being Susan B. Anthony in 1979).
The Maya Angelou quarter represents not just her legacy but the ongoing conversation of fighting for more inclusive representation on money. By extending this representation, generations to come will be inspired by Maya Angelou’s tireless work and never forget the importance of her poetic words.
The Benefits of Collecting the Maya Angelou Quarter
While the Maya Angelou quarter is not rare or valuable, it is still a great way for coin collectors to add to their collections. In addition to being an attractive novelty item, it serves as not just a great conversation pieces but also opens up an opportunity for greater education and knowledge about the late poet’s legacy.
Coin collectors and non-collectors alike can benefit from owning these quarters. On top of the positive traits, some web-based coin auction houses are now selling the Maya Angelou quarter for a slightly higher price than its face value. This could be a great way for non-collectors to get ahold of the artwork and make a little extra cash in the process.
Where You Can Find the Maya Angelou Quarter
You can purchase the Maya Angelou quarter both in stores and online. It is available at many coin shops as well as some banks and post offices. Moreover, there are a few websites specializing in selling the Maya Angelou quarter at a slight premium in order to benefit the sales, distribution, and circulation of the coin. The United States Mint, who produced the quarter, is also selling uncirculated Maya Angelou quarters in rolls, bags, and boxes. Given the widespread availability, it’s easy to grab a few of these coins.
Why the Maya Angelou Quarter is Popular
The Maya Angelou quarter is a popular coin, as it is seen as way to honor and recognize the late poet’s lifetime of work. The fact that the design is eye-catching and beautiful helps to increase its popularity as well. Moreover, the coin serves as a reminder of Maya Angelou’s inspirational words for those seeking justice today. It is also a great conversation starter and excellent way to educate younger generations about Maya Angelou and civil rights.
Additionally, the popularity of the Maya Angelou quarter also comes from its affordability. While the Mint seeks to keep the quarter affordable by constantly releasing them, the rapid increase of demand as a result of the honor has made the quarter a bit difficult to come by. With this being said, the Maya Angelou quarter remains just one of the most popular and widely circulated coins.
How You Can Collect the Maya Angelou Quarter
For those looking to own or collect the Maya Angelou quarter, there are a few places one can acquire the coin. As previously mentioned, the quarter is widely available in many coins shops, banks, post offices, and online auction websites. The United States Mint also offers rolled, bagged and boxed versions of the Maya Angelou quarter.
For seasoned coin collectors, the alternative is to scour coins from circulation. This is done by placing money in circulation, which is then passed from person-to-person and can eventually land in your pocket. This can be quite a tedious process, but many coin collectors prefer this method of finding old coins. With a bit of luck, and some diligent searching, anyone can easily find the Maya Angelou quarter in their pocket change.
