Gary's 20th Century Type Set
25c WASHINGTON SILVER (1932-64)

Owner Comments:

With the nation in the clutches of the Great Depression with little to celebrate, the Treasury Department moved ahead with plans to issue a coin to celebrate the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth in 1932. For the design, they sought the Commission of Fine Arts and the Washington Bicentennial Commission for recommendations. Through a contest, the commission recommended a design submitted by Laura Gardin Fraser, the wife of James Earle Fraser, designer of the Buffalo Nickel. However, the Treasury Secretary passed over this recommendation in favor of a design by John Flanagan. The Treasury Department originally intended to commemorate George Washington on a half dollar, but Congress having other ideas decided that the coin should be a quarter-dollar. Perhaps due to the Great Depression, Congress thought that a quarter would find its way into the hands of more Americans than a half-dollar. Snubbed at the time, Laura Gardin Fraser finally got her recognition in 1999 when her design appeared on a $5 gold coin commemorating the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s death. This beautifully toned MS-66, 1958 Washington Quarter is also in my 1958 birth year set.