Ida B. Wells Quarter Debuts Today, the 16th of 2025 American Women Quarters™ Program Designs

Ida B. Wells, a prominent investigative journalist, suffragist, and civil rights activist, is the latest honoree in the U.S. Mint's American Women Quarters™ Program.

Investigative journalist, suffragist, and civil rights activist Ida B. Wells is the latest honoree in the U.S. Mint’s American Women Quarters™ Program. Her quarter, the 16th of 20 in the series, debuts today at noon ET in rolls and bags, each struck to circulation quality at the Mint’s Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco facilities. The final four designs will be released later this year.

Product options include two-roll sets, three-roll sets, and 100-coin bags. While minted in circulation quality, these quarters have not been released into general circulation.

Ida B. Wells was born into slavery on July 16, 1862, in Mississippi and was freed as a young child by Union troops under the Emancipation Proclamation. By the 1890s, she was exposing the mistreatment of African Americans, particularly focusing on the widespread lynchings in and around Memphis, where she lived at the time.

Her investigative journalism brought national attention to these injustices but also provoked violent opposition, leading to the destruction of her newspaper office and presses. Forced to relocate, she moved to Chicago, where she continued her advocacy through writing, public speaking, and organizing for civil rights and women’s rights. Her influence extended internationally as she spoke on these issues abroad. Wells was also instrumental in the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Ida B. Wells Quarter Designs

The quarter’s reverse (tails side) design portrays Ida B. Wells with a courageous and proud gaze toward the future. It was created by U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist Elana Hagler and sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill.

Inscriptions include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "IDA B. WELLS," "25 CENTS," and "JOURNALIST, SUFFRAGIST, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST."

All quarters in the series share Laura Gardin Fraser’s obverse portrait of George Washington, originally designed for his 200th birthday in 1932. Obverse inscriptions read "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and "2025."

Coin Specifications

Quarter Products, Prices, Limits, and Ordering

The Ida B. Wells quarter is available in the following product option and prices:

The U.S. Mint has set product limits of 7,000 for the two-roll sets, 18,625 for the three-roll sets, and 8,250 for each 100-coin bag. Initial household order limits are three per roll set and ten per bag.

"Because of overwhelming demand, much of the production of the three-roll sets is accounted for through subscriptions. A limited quantity will be available for purchase on February 4 at noon EST," the Mint announced.

Quarter products may be ordered directly from the U.S. Mint’s online catalog.

American Women Quarters Program

The American Women Quarters series was authorized by Congress under Public Law 116-330. Launched in 2022, the program includes 20 coins issued over four years, concluding this year, with five designs released annually to honor women’s achievements and contributions in the United States.

The 2025 quarters recognize:

Beyond rolls and bags of circulation-quality coins, American Women quarters will also appear in U.S. Mint clad proof sets, silver proof sets, holiday ornaments, and uncirculated sets.