The United States Mint has released the high resolution image of the upcoming 2021 Washington Quarter Reverse. The new design, which will be released to the Federal Reserve on April 5, 2021, depicts then general George Washington leading Revolutionary War troops across the Delaware River. The crossing led to a surprise attack on British troops and arguably was one of the pivotal moments of the war.
The design was selected out of several design candidates that the Citizens Coinage Advisory Council (CCAC) released back in October. With the America the Beautiful Quarter series ending in 2021 with the release of the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site Quarter, the decision was made early this year that the Reverse of the coins would change for 2021. That means that there will be two Reverse designs for next year.
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.
United States Mint Press Release
The 2021 Quarter will also revert to the John Flanagan designed Obverse that appeared on the Washington Quarter prior to the release of the 50 States Quarter Program.
Here is the design of the 2021 Quarter Reverse
According to the Press Release from the Mint, the new Reverse designed coins will be available starting April 5, 2021. That is when the Federal Reserve will start putting the coins into circulation.
A sharp design though even with the link’s discussion it’s not clear why this will exist. Maybe it’s the start of a run up to the 250th anniversary events in 2026. And I wonder if it will have an uncirculated “S” version and a low mintage “W” release too. With the Tuskegee this likely means 2 quarters in the proof and mint sets. It is nice to have a rest after 21 years of 5 at a time.