Who is on the U.S. quarter?

George Washington, 1st U.S. president.

1970 washington quarter

25-cent quarter coin featuring President George Washington. Designer: John Flanagan

George Washington remains perhaps the most famous of the Founding Fathers, serving as the general of the Continental Army that prevailed in the Revolutionary War. Washington's profile has been featured in the 25-cent coin since 1932. It was a one-year commemorative design that was so popular, it ended up sticking around.

Another design of Washington (shown below) by Laura Gardin Fraser circa the 1930s is now being used on the American Women quarters.

Washington quarter reverse designs:

  • American Women series (2021–2025)
  • America the Beautiful series (2010–2021)
  • 50 State Quarters & Territories series (1999–2009)
  • Heraldic eagle (1932–1998)
2022 american women quarters coin uncirculated obverse philadelphia 768x768

American Women quarters common obverse design. Designer: Laura Gardin Fraser, wife of Buffalo nickel designer James Earle Fraser

QUARTER FUN FACTS:

  • Quarters are typically the coin denomination that sees the widest circulation (i.e. most usage).
  • The denomination is so popular in commerce that vending machines in North America are primarily designed for accepting quarters.
  • Quarters were often referred to as "two bits"—a holdover from the use of Spanish 8 reales silver coins, or "pieces of eight," wherein two pieces (or bits) of the Spanish silver dollar were equal to 25 cents.

Find more information about who is on each U.S. coin by following the links below:

Who Is On the Penny?

Who Is On the Nickel?

Who is On the Dime?

Who Is On the Half Dollar?

Who Is On the Dollar Coin?

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Everett Millman

Everett Millman

Managing Editor | Analyst, Commodities and Finance

Everett has been the head content writer and market analyst at Gainesville Coins since 2013. He has a background in History and is deeply interested in how gold and silver have historically fit into the financial system.

In addition to blogging, Everett's work has been featured in Reuters, CNN Business, Bloomberg Radio, TD Ameritrade Network, CoinWeek, and has been referenced by the Washington Post.