Maya Angelou’s quarter was released in the United States in 2021. The Maya Angelou quarter is the first commemorative U.S. quarter to honor a woman of color. Artist Paul C�zannes drew inspiration from Maya Angelou’s life, poetry and prose for the design of the quarter’s reverse (tail’s side). The quarter’s reverse bears the words “FAITH, COURAGE, HOPE” which surround a rectangular emerging from the middle of the coin. Three symbolic flowers surround the frame and four distinct starbursts adorn the top of the frame to represent Maya Angelou’s life and creative works. The obverse of the coin features a portrait of President George Washington.
The Maya Angelou quarter honors the life and legacy of the first and only American woman of color to be honored with a commemorative quarter. Angelou was an award-winning American poet, author, activist and human rights leader. Her works echo the struggles of African-Americans and promoting peace, courage and hope. Additionally, she was the first poet laureate of the United States, a civil rights advocate and an advocate for children’s rights.
Maya Angelou brought her unique voice to the U.S. coinage with her quarter design. As part of the America the Beautiful series, it is the forty-sixth of fifty-six U.S. quarters drawn from the Great American Moments national parks and landmarks. The series is a celebration of U.S. cultural, historical, and natural heritage.
The release date for the quarter was officially announced by the United States Mint on February 17, 2021. It was made available for purchase from the U.S. Mint on April 2, 2021. The coins were sold with a collectible folder which featured a portrait of Maya Angelou, an excerpt from her poem “Still I Rise” and an interpretive description of the coin’s design.
The coins were a huge success and sold out within a few days of their release. In response to the coin’s popularity, the U.S. Mint released a special limited-edition Maya Angelou Quarter Set which featured one uncirculated and one proof version of the coin in a special display folder. The set was only available from April 20 to May 20 and sold out quickly once it was released.
About Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou was an American author, poet, civil rights activist, human rights advocate and Grammy-winning musician. She was born on April 4th, 1928 in Missouri and grew up in segregated rural Arkansas. Throughout her lifetime she wrote numerous books, received over 50 honorary degrees and served as a professor of American studies at Wake Forest University.
Angelou was an acclaimed speaker and an advocate for civil rights. She was well known for her 1970 memoir “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings”, which became a globally acclaimed autobiography. Angelou was also a close friend of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other iconic icons.
In 1993, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton for her work in civil rights and for her writing. She was also honored with the National Book Award for her 1972 novel “Gather Together in My Name” and was featured several times on the cover of “Time” magazine.
In addition to writing and activism, Angelou found success as a musician, composer and singer. She won two Grammy awards and released numerous albums demonstrating her great vocal range and depth. One of her most iconic songs, “On the Pulse of Morning”, was recited by her at President Clinton’s inauguration in 1993.
Design Inspirations
The design of Maya Angelou’s quarter was inspired by the bulk of Angelou’s accomplishments, poetry and prose. Artist Paul C�zannes drew inspiration from her life and works to craft the design. The coin features a rectangular emerging from the middle of the coin depicting Faith, Courage and Hope. The three symbolic flowers surrounding the frame and four distinct starbursts upwards represents Maya Angelou’s life and creative works.
The Coin’s obverse features a portrait of President George Washington, who was featured on all U.S. coins from 1932. The design of the Maya Angelou quarter was developed and approved by the Commission of Fine Arts, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, the Secretary of Treasury and the Secretary of Interior.
The reverse side of the coin features an abstract focus of Maya Angelou’s life, a red rose and two significant single lines, located at the bottom of the coin. The two lines at the bottom of the coin are taken from Angelou’s quote, “Courage, “All I can do is be me, whoever that is”. The flower is a symbol of resilience and faith – the hope that Angelou embodied.
The design of the Maya Angelou quarter is a fitting tribute to her life and works. It celebrates her many accomplishments, her powerful and influential use of words, and her courage and hope in the face of racial discrimination.
International Significance
The Maya Angelou quarter was celebrated with much anticipation and reverence throughout the United States. This design marks an important milestone in U.S. coinage as it is the first to honor an African American woman. This representation of diversity is a prominent and necessary step forward in the journey towards equitable visibility in the U.S.
The quarter was also celebrated internationally. This design was admired by many and was seen as a source of inspiration. The Dr. Maya Angelou Legacy Tribute honoring Angelou received praise from many countries around the world, as Angelou’s works are inspiring and relatable to so many people.
Many of Angelou’s works express the struggles and resilience of the African American experience, shedding light on what it means to be black in America. The coin was not only a symbol of diversity, but also an iconic reminder of Maya Angelou’s contributions to activism and her immense political impact.
The Maya Angelou quarter was celebrated globally as an incredible feat of representation and an inspirational tribute. The design honors the legacy of Angelou and her impactful works and is an important symbol of progress for creating visibility and equity.
Benefits of Collecting the Coin
Collecting the Maya Angelou quarter is a meaningful way to honor Angelou’s legacy and her lasting impact. The coin is a significant contribution to U.S. coinage, representing Angelou’s accomplishments, efforts and courage.
Collecting the coin is also a simple and enjoyable hobby. The U.S. Mint issued a special limited-edition Maya Angelou Quarter Set, featuring one uncirculated and one proof version of the coin in a special display folder. This set was limited edition and sold out quickly once it was released, making it a great investment for collectors. Additionally, the quarter is a beautiful piece of history making it a great addition to any coin collection.
Collecting the Maya Angelou quarter is a meaningful way to commemorate her life and works. This commemorative coin is a powerful reminder of Angelou’s influence and her amazing achievements. It is a significant addition to U.S. coinage and a great investment for any coin collector.
Conclusion
The Maya Angelou quarter was released in the United States in 2021, making it the first coin to honor a woman of color. The design of the quarter was inspired by Angelou’s life, poetry and prose, and was officially released by the United States Mint on April 2, 2021. It was celebrated as an important milestone in U.S. coinage and an iconic reminder of Angelou’s immense political impact. Collecting the coin is a meaningful way to honor Angelou’s legacy and her lasting impact and is a great addition to any coin collection.
