Quarter coins have been a part of American currency since the 18th century, but the 2009 quarter coin stands out as a unique and significant piece of numismatic history.

The 2009 quarter coin was the first coin in the United States to feature a design honoring a living person: Sacagawea, the Native American woman who served as a guide and interpreter for the Lewis and Clark Expedition from 1804 to 1806.

The coin's reverse side features a depiction of Sacagawea carrying her infant son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, on her back, while the obverse side bears a likeness of George Washington.

The 2009 quarter coin was designed by sculptor Glenna Goodacre and engraved by Jim Licaretz. It was struck at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, and a total of 1.4 billion coins were produced.

The 2009 quarter coin is a popular collector's item, and it is also a reminder of the important role that Sacagawea played in the exploration of the American West.

Quarter Coin 2009

The 2009 quarter coin is a unique and significant piece of numismatic history. Here are six key aspects that make it so:

First coin to feature a living person: Sacagawea, the Native American woman who served as a guide and interpreter for the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Designed by sculptor Glenna Goodacre and engraved by Jim Licaretz.
Struck at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints.
A total of 1.4 billion coins were produced.
Reverse side features Sacagawea carrying her infant son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau.
Obverse side bears a likeness of George Washington.

These aspects make the 2009 quarter coin a popular collector's item and a reminder of the important role that Sacagawea played in the exploration of the American West.

1. First coin to feature a living person

The 2009 quarter coin is the first coin in the United States to feature a design honoring a living person: Sacagawea, the Native American woman who served as a guide and interpreter for the Lewis and Clark Expedition from 1804 to 1806.

Recognition of Native American contributions: The 2009 quarter coin is a significant recognition of the important role that Native Americans have played in American history. Sacagawea's contributions to the Lewis and Clark Expedition were essential to its success, and her image on the coin helps to raise awareness of the often overlooked role of Native Americans in shaping the United States.
Commemoration of the Lewis and Clark Expedition: The 2009 quarter coin also commemorates the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. This expedition was a major turning point in American history, as it opened up the American West to exploration and settlement. The coin's design helps to remind us of the importance of this expedition and the role that Sacagawea played in it.
Artistic achievement: The 2009 quarter coin is a beautiful and well-crafted coin. The design is simple but elegant, and it captures the spirit of Sacagawea and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The coin is a testament to the skill of sculptor Glenna Goodacre and engraver Jim Licaretz.
Collectible value: The 2009 quarter coin is a popular collector's item. It is the first coin in the United States to feature a living person, and it commemorates a major event in American history. The coin is also well-designed and struck, making it a desirable addition to any collection.

The 2009 quarter coin is a unique and significant coin that celebrates the contributions of Native Americans to American history and commemorates the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It is a beautiful and well-crafted coin that is sure to be a popular collector's item for years to come.

2. Designed by sculptor Glenna Goodacre and engraved by Jim Licaretz.

The 2009 quarter coin is a unique and significant coin, and its design is a major part of what makes it so. The coin was designed by sculptor Glenna Goodacre and engraved by Jim Licaretz, two of the most accomplished artists in the United States.

Artistic vision: Goodacre and Licaretz brought their unique artistic visions to the design of the 2009 quarter coin. Goodacre's sculpture of Sacagawea is both realistic and evocative, capturing the strength and determination of the young Native American woman. Licaretz's engraving of the coin's reverse side is equally impressive, with its intricate details and beautiful composition.
Historical accuracy: Goodacre and Licaretz worked closely with historians to ensure that the design of the 2009 quarter coin was historically accurate. The coin's depiction of Sacagawea is based on contemporary accounts of her appearance, and the reverse side of the coin features a map of the Lewis and Clark Expedition's route.
Craftsmanship: The 2009 quarter coin is a beautifully crafted coin. The dies used to strike the coin were created with great care, and the coins themselves are of exceptional quality. The coin's design is both timeless and modern, and it is sure to be treasured by collectors and historians for years to come.

The design of the 2009 quarter coin is a testament to the skill and artistry of Glenna Goodacre and Jim Licaretz. The coin is a beautiful and fitting tribute to Sacagawea and the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and it is a valuable addition to any collection.

3. Struck at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints.

The 2009 quarter coin was struck at two different mints: the Philadelphia Mint and the Denver Mint. This is a common practice for the United States Mint, which strikes coins at multiple facilities to meet the demand for new coins.

Production capacity: The Philadelphia and Denver Mints are two of the largest and most productive coin mints in the world. Striking the 2009 quarter coin at both mints allowed the United States Mint to produce a large number of coins quickly and efficiently.
Quality control: The Philadelphia and Denver Mints have a long history of producing high-quality coins. Striking the 2009 quarter coin at both mints ensured that the coins met the United States Mint's.
Collector value: Coins that are struck at different mints can have different collector values. This is because collectors often prefer coins that were struck at a particular mint or that have a particular mint mark. The 2009 quarter coin was struck with both the Philadelphia and Denver mint marks, making it a desirable coin for collectors.

The fact that the 2009 quarter coin was struck at both the Philadelphia and Denver Mints is a testament to the United States Mint's commitment to producing high-quality coins. The coins that were struck at these two mints are beautiful and well-made, and they are sure to be treasured by collectors and historians for years to come.

4. A total of 1.4 billion coins were produced.

The fact that a total of 1.4 billion 2009 quarter coins were produced is a significant aspect of the coin's history and legacy. This large mintage had a number of important consequences:

Widespread circulation: The large mintage of the 2009 quarter coin ensured that it was widely circulated throughout the United States. This helped to raise awareness of the coin and its design, and it also made the coin more accessible to collectors.
Availability for collectors: The large mintage of the 2009 quarter coin also made it more available to collectors. This is important because the coin is a popular collector's item, and its availability ensures that collectors can easily add it to their collections.
Numismatic value: The large mintage of the 2009 quarter coin has also had an impact on its numismatic value. While the coin is not particularly rare, its large mintage means that it is not as valuable as some other coins. This makes it a more affordable option for collectors who are looking for a piece of numismatic history.

Overall, the fact that a total of 1.4 billion 2009 quarter coins were produced is a significant factor in the coin's history and legacy. It has ensured that the coin is widely circulated, available to collectors, and affordable for those who want to add it to their collections.

5. Reverse side features Sacagawea carrying her infant son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau.

The reverse side of the 2009 quarter coin features a depiction of Sacagawea carrying her infant son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, on her back. This design element is significant for several reasons:

Historical accuracy: The depiction of Sacagawea carrying her son is historically accurate. Sacagawea was a young Native American woman who served as a guide and interpreter for the Lewis and Clark Expedition from 1804 to 1806. She carried her infant son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, on her back throughout the expedition. The coin's design pays tribute to Sacagawea's strength and determination, as well as her important role in the expedition.
Artistic merit: The depiction of Sacagawea and her son is also a beautiful and well-executed work of art. The design is simple but elegant, and it captures the spirit of Sacagawea and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The coin's design is a testament to the skill of sculptor Glenna Goodacre and engraver Jim Licaretz.
Cultural significance: The depiction of Sacagawea and her son on the 2009 quarter coin is also significant from a cultural perspective. The coin is the first coin in the United States to feature a Native American woman. This is a recognition of the important role that Native Americans have played in American history.

Overall, the depiction of Sacagawea carrying her infant son on the reverse side of the 2009 quarter coin is a significant design element that pays tribute to Sacagawea's strength and determination, as well as her important role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The design is also a beautiful and well-executed work of art, and it is significant from a cultural perspective.

6. Obverse side bears a likeness of George Washington.

The obverse side of the 2009 quarter coin bears a likeness of George Washington. This is significant because George Washington is the first president of the United States, and his image has been featured on the quarter coin since its inception in 1796. The presence of George Washington's likeness on the quarter coin serves several purposes:

Historical significance: George Washington is one of the most important figures in American history. He led the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War, and he served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. His image on the quarter coin is a reminder of his contributions to the founding of the United States.

Cultural significance: George Washington is also a cultural icon. His image is instantly recognizable, and it is associated with American values such as patriotism, leadership, and courage. The presence of his likeness on the quarter coin helps to promote these values and to strengthen the sense of national identity.

Practical significance: The likeness of George Washington on the quarter coin also serves a practical purpose. It helps to distinguish the quarter coin from other coins, and it makes it easy to identify in low-light conditions. This is important for vending machines and other automated devices that accept coins.

Overall, the presence of George Washington's likeness on the 2009 quarter coin is significant for historical, cultural, and practical reasons. It serves as a reminder of Washington's contributions to the United States, it promotes American values, and it helps to distinguish the quarter coin from other coins.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 2009 QUARTER COIN

The 2009 quarter coin is a unique and significant piece of numismatic history, and it has generated a lot of interest from collectors and the general public alike. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the 2009 quarter coin:

Question 1: Why is the 2009 quarter coin so significant?

The 2009 quarter coin is significant because it is the first coin in the United States to feature a living person: Sacagawea, the Native American woman who served as a guide and interpreter for the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Question 2: Who designed the 2009 quarter coin?

The 2009 quarter coin was designed by sculptor Glenna Goodacre and engraved by Jim Licaretz.

Question 3: Where was the 2009 quarter coin minted?

The 2009 quarter coin was struck at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints.

Question 4: How many 2009 quarter coins were produced?

A total of 1.4 billion 2009 quarter coins were produced.

Question 5: What is the value of a 2009 quarter coin?

The value of a 2009 quarter coin varies depending on its condition and mint mark. However, most 2009 quarter coins are worth between 25 cents and $1.

These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about the 2009 quarter coin. For more information, please visit the website of the United States Mint.

Summary: The 2009 quarter coin is a unique and significant coin that celebrates the contributions of Native Americans to American history and commemorates the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It is a beautiful and well-crafted coin that is sure to be treasured by collectors and historians for years to come.

Conclusion

The 2009 quarter coin is a unique and significant piece of numismatic history. It is the first coin in the United States to feature a living person, and it commemorates the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The coin's design is beautiful and well-crafted, and it is a fitting tribute to Sacagawea and her important role in American history.

The 2009 quarter coin is a reminder of the important contributions that Native Americans have made to the United States. It is also a reminder of the spirit of exploration and adventure that has always been a part of the American character. The coin is a valuable addition to any collection, and it is sure to be treasured by collectors and historians for years to come.