Bill Jones' Basic Type set
25C WASHINGTON, SILVER (1932-1964)

Owner Comments:

The Washington Quarter was issued in commemoration of the bicentennial of George Washington’s birth. Although some people might have thought of it as a one year circulating commemorative coin at the time, it was well known that the Washington Quarter would replace the Standing Liberty Quarter whose design had posed constant technical problems for the U.S. mint system.

The design process for the Washington Quarter was supposed to have been based upon a competition among a selected group of professional artists, but the results of that contest have long been a source of controversy. The initial winning design for the quarter was submitted by Mrs. Laura Fraser who previously designed several commemorative half dollars. Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon intervened, however, and awarded to honor to John Flannigan. Despite protests, Mellon’s decision stood, and many people felt that Mrs. Fraser had been treated unfairly. In 1999 justice was partially served when Mrs. Fraser’s design appeared on a commemorative $5 gold piece that marked the bicentennial of Washington’s death. An example of that $5 gold coin is pictured at the right.

The 1963 Proof Washington quarter that is shown above is an exceptional example with strong cameo Proof contrast.