The Maya Angelou quarter is set to debut in 2019 as part of the “America the Beautiful” series, which began in 2010 with five different coins each year. The series was created to honor 56 national parks or other national sites in the United States. The Maya Angelou Quarter will become the 38th coin to be released in this series and celebrates the author’s contribution to American culture. It is the first coin to feature a portrait of an African-American woman on the heads side and shows her famously composed beauty and grace. On the tails side is an image of Angelou’s house as it stands today, and includes two lines from her poem, “Still I Rise.” The US Mint has chosen the month of May to feature the new coin, which is anticipated to be released in April, 2019.
The series is gaining momentum, inspiring collectors and renewing hope for more coins featuring prominent African-Americans. Since its launch, the “America the Beautiful” series has become increasingly popular with coin collectors, yielding more anticipation as each release date draws closer. The obverse side of the Maya Angelou quarter features a portrait of the late poet laureate, and the reverse side shows Angelou’s childhood home in the city of Stamps, Arkansas and an excerpt from her poem, “Still I Rise”. These two components signify that a biracial writer and poet, was an integral part of American culture, and a revered and respected person of the hallmarks of U.S. diversity and history.
The US Mint was inspired by the legacy of Maya Angelou, who was an outspoken advocate for African-American women, literature and civil rights. Her motivational works were deeply inspired by her experiences living through the Jim Crow era, segregation, racism and inequalities. Maya Angelou was a phenomenal writer, educator, historian and most importantly, an influential role model for many. The US Mint selected her for the 38th quarter of the “America the Beautiful” series, to highlight the deep-rooted female perspective and strong literary history of the United States.
Design of “America the Beautiful” series
The “America the Beautiful” series was designed by Thomas Hipschen and features 56 rotating designs. All coins in this series feature a common reverse design, which is a representation of the Statue of Liberty, and makes the series truly unique. The “America the Beautiful” series has proven to be popular with both the metal coin collectors and the Design series collectors. Coins within this series have gained in value over time, and the numismatic collectibles have become increasingly sought-after.
The Maya Angelou Quarter is the first and only coin in this series to depict an African American woman, and was chosen to honor Maya Angelou’s seminal works. Artwork for the obverse side of the coin was created by artist Richard Masters, who wanted to capture the vibrancy and warmth of the artist’s life in the portrait of her face. The reverse side of the coin was created by Frank Morris and is a representation of Maya Angelou’s childhood home in Stamps, Arkansas including two lines written from her poem, “Still I Rise”. By including these two lines the US Mint wanted to emphasize the strength of Maya Angelou’s work, and her gospel of perseverance and determination.
Social Movement
Black history enthusiasts, as well as people who have been fortunate enough to meet her regard her as a national treasure. The Maya Angelou quarter is a reminder of “never forgetting” and a harbinger of continued courage and strength. International celebrities have voiced their support for the new quarter and its representation of a powerful female voice. This movement showcases just how popular her work is and how even the smallest acts of recognition can make a huge impact. It has become a beacon of hope for African Americans and selected students who will for the first time be able to learn about the struggles endured by Maya Angelou and her work.
Mintages for this coin are likely to be far lower than the mintage figures for other coins in the series, adding to the overall scarcity of the coin. For those who cannot get their hands on the quarters, they can purchase program sets or individual coins from various websites, although these are likely to command higher than retail prices due to their desirability.
Certification of Maya Angelou Coin
The US Mint certifies this coin as authentic, which makes the value of the coin more stable. The Maya Angelou quarter is certified by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) and the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). The certified coins are graded on a scale from one to seventy, with seventy being the highest grade. The certified coins will hold their value even when the uncertified coins may not.
Only two hundred of the coins were minted by the US Mint, with each coin thought to be worth over one thousand dollars. Despite this, the coin isn’t readily available on the secondary market, meaning that collectors have to depend on their dealers to find the coins and fetch them at a reasonable price.
Authenticity of the Coin
The Maya Angelou quarter is considered a piece of history, making it highly sought after. The US Mint also took certain measures to ensure that the Maya Angelou quarters remain authentic and free of counterfeiting. The coins bear a special design play that can easily be seen under magnification, and they are made of a harder, higher quality of metal that makes the coins more durable than regular coins.
The US Mint has also released certified coins, which feature a label that authenticates the coins. The certified coins also bear a unique serial number, which can be verified on the US Mint’s website. These coins are further protected by special packaging with tamper-proof seals.
Collecting and Investing
There is increasing interest from collectors and investors on the Maya Angelou quarter. This is an interesting coin for coin collectors, as it is the first to feature a portrait of an African American woman. The rarity of the coin and its historical implications make it a much sought-after item and a must-have for serious coin collectors. The value of the coin is shielded by its certified status and harder, higher quality of metal.
For investors, it is a great opportunity to diversify their portfolio and get into the coin market. Coins can be a great way to diversify a portfolio and become an important asset. It is also a good way to have a piece of a legacy and preserve a part of history; an item that can be passed on to coming generations as an iconic reminder of a renowned writer and inspirational figure.
Conclusion
The Maya Angelou quarter is set to become the most sought-after coin in the America the Beautiful series. It is the first coin to feature a portrait of an African American woman, and the inspiration behind it is indicative of the strength and resilience of American diversity. This coin is a reminder of the power of words, determination and courage, and a celebration of a celebrated writer and inspiring figure.
