Design of the Washington quarter dollar

The Washington quarter dollar, initially conceived as a commemorative coin to mark the bicentennial of George Washington's birth in 1932, has become a lasting tribute to a man whose image was sought for the nation's first coinage.

The Washington quarter dollar, designed by New York sculptor John Flanagan, did not evolve without controversy. Flanagan's designs were not those preferred by the Commission of Fine Arts.

The Treasury Department, along with the Commission of Fine Arts and the Washington Bicentennial Commission, had suggested the issuance of a medal and commemorative coin to honor the "father of our country."

The design competition for the medal was won by Laura Gardin Fraser, wife of renowned sculptor James Earle Fraser, designer of the Indian Head 5-cent coin.

Laura Fraser previously supplied designs and models for several commemorative half dollars, including the Oregon Trail Memorial coin.

Congress authorized the Washington quarter dollar on March 4, 1931.

A new competition was sought for the coin design, but the chairman of the Commission of Fine Arts said this would violate the intent of the original program calling for a single designer for both the medal and coin. The chairman urged Fraser's selection.

Secretary of the Treasury Andrew W. Mellon rejected the idea and ordered a second design competition. Flanagan's designs were favored by Mellon from the 98 artists and sculptors who had submitted designs. Amidst the controversy, Mellon left office and was replaced by Ogden L. Mills, who accepted the decision of his predecessor and selected John Flanagan's designs despite the protests of the Commission of Fine Arts.