Making history: The Bessie Coleman quarter

Discover the pioneering spirit of Bessie Coleman, the first African American and Native American woman to hold a pilot's license, whose courage and determination broke racial and gender barriers in aviation​​. The American Women Quarters Program honors her and other notable women, showcasing their significant contributions across various fields through the medium of coin collecting. This program not only celebrates achievements in suffrage, civil rights, and the arts but can also inspire educational conversations between parents and kids.

Starting your collection

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The origin of the coin collection

The U.S. Mint introduced the American Women Quarters Program as a way to honor women who have played pivotal roles in American history. This initiative, which began in 2022, aims to release five new quarters each year until 2025. Each quarter features a different woman who has contributed significantly to society. The program's inception reflects a growing recognition of women's contributions and a desire to educate the public about these influential figures through the everyday medium of currency.

If you want to embark on the exciting journey of collecting the Bessie Coleman quarter, you can find it through local banks, exchanges with fellow collectors, or purchases from trusted coin dealers. To maintain the coins' condition, use protective albums or holders to shield them from damage​. Engaging your child in this process can be both fun and educational, providing a hands-on history lesson that extends beyond the classroom.

Beyond the Bessie Coleman quarter: Expanding your historical quarter collection

To encourage your child to broaden their collection beyond the Bessie Coleman quarter, you can introduce them to other quarters in the American Women Quarters Program. Each coin tells the story of a remarkable woman, such as Edith Kanakaʻole, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jovita Idar, and Maria Tallchief, whose contributions have shaped our nation's history​.

Incorporate learning activities related to coin collecting, like mapping the origins of the featured women, creating timelines of their lives, or writing essays on their societal impacts.

Resources and activities for young collectors

The U.S. Mint offers a wealth of resources for young collectors through its Coin Classroom, which features games, information on the coin production process, and collecting basics. This platform serves as an excellent tool for parents to engage their children in meaningful discussions about history, culture, and the value of perseverance, as exemplified by Bessie Coleman and her fellow honorees​​.

Coin collecting can be a fun, easy way for parents to engage kids about significant historical figures and events that can broaden their perspectives. The Bessie Coleman quarter is an exciting entry point into a deeper exploration of American history, making learning an exciting adventure for the whole family.

Want more? Visit the Greenlight Learning Center for helpful resources on all things family, finance, and fun.

This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.