The Maya Angelou quarter, or New Mexico quarter from the United States Mint, is a valuable collector’s item in mint condition. This valuable piece of American history honors the life of Maya Angelou and is worth more than face value. The coins, which were released in 2018, were part of the America the Beautiful Quarter series, honoring national parks and other sites of national significance. Minted in both Philadelphia and Denver, the quarters are composed of 91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel and feature a inset enlargement of Maya Angelou’s portrait, the first portrait of an African woman on a circulating US coin.
The Maya Angelou quarter is an important milestone in the history of US coinage, as it celebrates a celebrated African-American poet and an important figure in society. These quarters are a valuable item to any collector, as they are not minted in large numbers and are becoming increasingly scarce. A circulated Maya Angelou quarter is worth around $6, while an uncirculated coin is worth up to double that. These coins can be sold at coin auctions, coin shows, and on websites like eBay.
These unique Maya Angelou quarters can be found in both sets and folders, making them easy to track down for collectors. People who wish to purchase a set of these quarters should look for a complete set with the 2014–2021 America the Beautiful Quarters, which includes the Maya Angelou quarter. A complete set of five coins may cost up to around $30, although prices can vary depending on the condition of the coins. As the Maya Angelou quarter is a commemorative coin, it is no longer produced, making it a much sought-after piece for many collectors.
In addition to purchasing the coin, collectors can also get their hands on the original mint packaging, which includes the P or D mark indicating where the coin was minted. This original packaging can make the quarter more valuable, with a complete set of packaging and a circulated quarter being worth as much as $200. Collectors may also come across a silver plated version of the Maya Angelou quarter, which has been selling at prices between $50 and $150.
No matter what the collector chooses to do with the Maya Angelou quarter, this piece of American history is worth far more than its face value. It contains the image of an iconic figure, honoring her life and work and contributing to the stories of African women in American history. As such, collectors find these quarters to be a valuable item, and these coins may easily increase in value over time.
History of Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou was a renowned American poet, author, actress, director, and civil rights activist. Born in 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri, Angelou moved with her family to San Francisco, California, at the age of 8. As a young woman, she experienced the struggles of growing up in the 1950s in a society that did not recognize African-American individuals as equal citizens. her ongoing struggle in pursuit of a voice, and as an activist, led her to become an renowned figure, whose work was renowned internationally and loved by all.
In addition to her influential work in the civil rights movement, Angelou pioneered a unique style of autobiographical poetry and wrote seven autobiographies, one play, and four books of essays. Her work has been published in more than fifty languages, and she has won numerous honorary degrees and awards, such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 and Grammy awards. Her famous poetry collections include “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” and “And Still I Rise”, which continue to inspire many generations.
As a renowned figure in the American Civil rights movement and a powerful advocate for civil rights, it is only fitting that the US Mint honored Angelou with a commemorative coin. In 2018, the US Mint released the New Mexico quarter, or the Maya Angelou quarter, as part of their 2018 America the Beautiful Quarter series.
Design of the Maya Angelou Quarter
The design of the Maya Angelou quarter, which was chosen from 43 entries, was created by Arthur Lopez. The quarter was designed to depict the beauty and elegance of Angelou, with a portrait of her, a halo of light behind her, and her signature. The design also includes the words “Maya Angelou 1929-2014” with an olive branch to the left and two herons on the right side of the portrait.
The Maya Angelou quarter was released in both Philadelphia and Denver, with the Philadelphia version being composed of 91.7% copper, 8.3% nickel, and the Denver version being composed of 90% silver, 10% copper. Both coins feature the inset enlargement of the portrait of Maya Angelou, the first portrait of an African woman on a circulating US coin. The reverse of the coin features an image of the Jemez Canyon Dam, which is found in New Mexico’s Valles Caldera National Preserve.
The Maya Angelou Quarter is an important piece of American history and a powerful reminder of the struggles that African Americans have faced and continue to face in pursuit of civil rights. The portrait of Maya Angelou, which is a representation of her power, provides an important opportunity for American citizens to reflect on the struggles and strength of African-Americans.
Preserving the Maya Angelou Quarter
Since these coins typically become damaged from everyday use, it is important for collectors to take the necessary steps to properly store and preserve their Maya Angelou quarters. These coins should be stored in airtight containers to protect them from dust and moisture, as well as from handling and oxidation. It is important for collectors to not touch the coins directly, as this could lead to scratching and discoloration. Instead, these coins should be handled with acidic-free gloves.
Collectors should also keep the coins in a safe place and store them in certified holders or slabs to further protect them and prevent damage. If the coins are stored in uncertified holders, collectors can also place them in acid-free folders, which can act as a protective layer between the coins and damaging elements in the environment.
When displaying these coins, it is also important to note that most natural light contains some degree of ultraviolet (UV) light, which can cause fading and discoloration over time. To prevent any damage from UV light, collectors should ensure that the coins are stored away from direct light sources. They can be framed using UV-resistant glass or acetate, or the coins can be placed in protective holders with built-in UV-filtering. This will help protect the coins from any fading or discoloration.
Maya Angelou Quarters as Collectibles
The Maya Angelou quarters are a highly sought-after collector’s item, as they honor an important figure in American history. These coins can be found on websites such as eBay, as well as at coin shows and auctions. As these quarters are no longer minted, their value will likely only increase over time. A circulated Maya Angelou quarter is worth around $6, while an uncirculated coin can be worth up to double that.
In addition to purchasing the coins, collectors can also get their hands on the original mint packaging. Mint packaging typically includes the P or D mark indicating where the coin was minted, which can add to the coin’s value. As such, a complete set of packaging and a circulated quarter can be worth as much as $200. Collectors may also come across a silver plated version of the Maya Angelou quarter, which has been sold at prices between $50 and $150.
All the same, no matter what the collector chooses to do with the Maya Angelou quarter, this piece of American history is worth far more than its face value. Collectors find these coins to be a valuable item, and these coins may easily increase in value over time.
