In July’s Salute to the Quarter, we inject a little levity, courtesy of Stephen Wright. Wright got his big break with Johnny Carson back in 1982. His brand of humor, ironic, oxymoronic, sometimes extends to the moronic, as in his Oscar Award-winning short movie The Appointments of Dennis Jennings.*
The literal answer to Wright’s question is, of course, no because the US quarter did not feature Washington’s left-facing profile until 1932.
The quarter traces its history back to the Spanish pieces of eight (see our first Salute to the Quarter). The first official US quarter was issued in 1796 and featured the “draped bust” Lady Liberty on the front, with the eagle on the obverse. The coin’s design has changed over the decades, with Lady Liberty in various poses and in various states of undress.
Most of you probably remember, and maybe even collected, the state quarters, issued 1999 – 2008, featuring iconic symbols connected to each state. But who among us noticed that George changed directions in 2023? Yep, the Father of our Country now faces right.
The first US quarter was slightly larger, with an approximate diameter of 0.9567” vs 0.955” diameter today. And it was 90% silver and 10% copper, rather than copper-nickel clad version we have today.
A 1796 “Draped Bust” Quarter, the first quarter ever minted, has sold at action for over $100,000. Other valuable quarters include the 1823/2 “Capped Bust” (with an overdate error), the 1804 “Draped Bust,” and the 1901 S Barber. Among the Washington Quarters, the 1932-D and 1932-S are particularly rare and valuable.
In keeping with this month’s humorous theme we will close with another quarter joke: How do you know the moon is going broke? When it’s down to its last quarter!
WayWord’s second season, however, is no joke. Our most sumptuous offering yet (Murder in Milan) is set to launch within days, followed soon by a Bohemian memoir, circa 1899, and will wrap up with the most fantastical take on fairy tales you’ve ever seen! Subscribe Here to enjoy!
*(If you have twenty seven-minutes to waste click here to watch The Appointments of Dennis Jennings.)