TREASURY CHOOSES NEW QUARTER REVERSE DESIGN

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V23 2020 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 23, Number 52, December 27, 2020, Article 18

On Christmas Day the U.S. Treasury announced its choice for the new design of the reverse of the Washington quarter. First, some background from Coin Update published December 21, 2020. See the complete article online for all the candidate designs. -Editor

December 25, 2020, will bring an extra holiday gift to the coin-collecting community. On Christmas Day, the United States Mint will announce the design of the new “Washington Crossing the Delaware” quarter dollar.

Since 2010 the Mint has produced circulating commemorative quarters honoring national parks, forests, and other sites of natural and historical significance, in the “America the Beautiful” coin program. Public Law 110-456 authorized a change to the reverse of the quarter dollar after this series concludes in 2021. The program’s 56th and final quarter (which honors the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site) will be released next year. After that, the law states, the reverse of the quarter dollar “Shall contain an image of General Washington crossing the Delaware River prior to the Battle of Trenton.”

The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee reviewed potential designs more than a year ago, in October 2019. Each of the candidates depicted General George Washington leading his troops across the ice-choked Delaware River during a Nor’easter, the evening of December 25/26, 1776. Their movement was part of Washington’s plan to surprise the British in New Jersey. The ensuing Battle of Trenton and later Battle of Princeton became turning points in the Revolutionary War. Washington gave hope to many patriots that the Continental Army could win American independence.

In the CCAC’s October 15, 2019, meeting, the Mint noted that “Artists were charged with finding a fresh perspective to depict the theme and encouraged not to recreate the 1999 New Jersey quarter which evokes the famous painting by Emanuel Leutze. The racial diversity present in Washington’s troops is represented, as is the Grand Union Flag which was the flag in use at the time of the crossing.” The Mint worked with curators at Mount Vernon to ensure historical and technical accuracy in the designs.

The design recommended by the CCAC was #12, with General Washington in the foreground, holding a telescope and gesturing forward with his sword. In the background is a boat full of Continental Army troops negotiating the icy waters.

So what design was chosen? Here's the Mint Press Release (Colonial-era drumroll, please....) -Editor

On this night in 1776, General George Washington, along with 2,400 troops and artillery, began his historic crossing of the Delaware River in preparation for a surprise attack on British and Hessian soldiers during the American Revolutionary War. Today, the United States Mint (Mint) is unveiling a new design depicting this pivotal moment in history which will be displayed on the reverse (tails) of the quarter-dollar coin beginning in 2021. The design will begin circulating following the issuance of the final coin in the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program.

The new design depicts General Washington commanding his troops through the overnight crossing of the ice-choked Delaware River prior to the Battle of Trenton during the American Revolutionary War. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “CROSSING THE DELAWARE,” and “QUARTER DOLLAR.” Artistic Infusion Program Designer Benjamin Sowards created the design which was sculpted by Medallic Artist Michael Gaudioso.

In accordance with the authorizing legislation, the obverse (heads) of the quarter dollar will revert to renowned designer John Flanagan’s design featuring President Washington that appeared on the coin before the 50 State Quarters Program.

Washington Crossing the Delaware quarters will be released into circulation by the Federal Reserve Banks on April 5, 2021.

A good choice, I think. I'll be curious to see the actual coins in hand. Thanks to Pabitra Saha, Ultra modern Numismatist for passing along the earlier Coin Update and CoinNews articles.

Pabitra asked a great question - "What is reversion of obverse?" Over the years mint personnel gradually reworked the original obverse design until it diverged significantly from the original design of 1932. The obverse will return to that original design. I remember glancing at a quarter one day aghast at what had happened. "Sweet Jesus! WHAT have they DONE????!!!" Old George had developed spaghetti hair. It will be great to return to the artist's original vision. -Editor

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
THE 2017-P MINTMARKED CENT (https://www.coinbooks.org/v20/esylum_v20n04a18.html)