Anna May Wong—American Women Quarter Special
The Anna May Wong Quarter was minted on October 25, 2022. It becomes the 5th coin of the initial 12 months and the 5th usual within the “American Women Quarters” software. This collection was authorized beneath Public Law 116-330.
This zone collection started out in 2022 and will run till 2025. Five new designs of area cash pop out each 12 months, celebrating the accomplishments of traditionally and culturally tremendous ladies from the US.
This program comes after different successful quarter applications like 50 State Quarters, America the Beautiful National Park Quarters, and 2021’s Washington Crossing the Delaware layout.
Anna May Wong—The First Asian American Star of the Silver Screen
Anna May Wong, born as Wong Liu Tsong, was born on January 3, 1905 in Los Angeles, California. She became the daughter of second-technology Chinese immigrants and emerged as America’s first Asian-American female famous person.
Wong advanced a passion for films at a younger age when the film industry was booming in California. She adopted her expert call “Anna May Wong” at the age of eleven. She started out in movies more as an adolescent and subsequently left college to emerge as an actor.
Her earliest full-duration feature film was Bits of Life (1921), in which she co-starred with Lon Chaney. The following year, she starred in The Toll of the Sea (1922), while she changed into handiest 17 years antique. While the general public and critics preferred her overall performance, racial common sense at the time prohibited her from acting “wonderful” or stereotypical roles.
She also became featured in movies, which include The Thief of Bagdad (1924) and Peter Pan (1924); however, even there, she was regarded in very restricted and stereotypical man or woman roles.
Beyond Bollywood—A European Sojourn
When she became not given the same hazard in Hollywood, she migrated to Europe. There she made films that helped her to convey her hidden talent. Piccadilly (1929) was her very last silent movie and is said to be the first-rate one of hers.
She then performed in her first speakie film, The Flame of Love (1930), where she introduced dialogues in three languages: **English, German and French.
She even tried to establish her personal movie organization to supply movies based on Chinese folklore, but that by no means came to fruition.
Back to America and Struggle
She went again to America at the guarantee of more reputed roles in Hollywood; however, there she persevered to receive the same stereotypical roles. Nevertheless, she by no means lost hope and continually struggled to portray Chinese lifestyle as it should be.
Her biggest Hollywood conventional movie is Shanghai Express (1932), which she made with Marlene Dietrich.
Later in life, she made low-financed, B-grade movies, tv suggests and labored on stage. She passed away on 3 February 1961.
Design and Artist Information
Obverse:
As with all of the cash inside the American Woman Quarter Series, this zone too has a brand new portrait of George Washington. This portrait was designed by Laura Gardin Fraser for Washington’s 200th birthday in 1932. Even even though this design did not get decided on at the time, it’s the design utilized on this collection from 2022 to 2025.
Reverse:
The back features a beautiful close-up of Anna May Wong, with her cheek on her left hand. Her name is ANNA MAY WONG in 3 traces.
Surrounding the coin is a theater marquee layout, in the style of vintage cinema, with dot pics like light bulbs. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above, QUARTER DOLLAR beneath, and E PLURIBUS UNUM at the bottom.
The coin was designed by Emily Damstra, an artist with the Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program, and sculpted by John P. McGraw.
Market Value and Collector Interest
The American Women Quarters software is receiving a more potent reception than expected from creditors. Maybe part of the cause why that is so is the truth that nowadays, humans are being represented on the coins, as opposed to simpler homes or landscapes.
Anna May Wong Quarters were shipped to banks on October 24, 2022, via the Mint and have become available for sale to the public on October 25. The Mint also placed out a few special gadgets:
- 100-coin Bag (P or D Mint): Cost $40
- Two-roll Set (from Philadelphia and Denver): Cost $36 for 80 coins
- Three-roll Set (P, D, and S Mints): Cost $54
Value and Grading Report (as of 2024)
NGC Report:
- Total gradings: 1,395 Highest grade: MS67 (503 Normal + 113 Prooflike) Top grade: MS69 (27 Normal + 32 PL)
- MS68 grade price: Around $35
- MS69 PL grade price: $199.95 (sold on eBay on May 1, 2024)
PCGS Report:
- Total Grading: 630 Top Grade: MS68 (27 coins)
- One example of MS68 also sold on eBay for $199.95.
CAC Grading:
- No coin of this quarter has been stickered or certified yet.
Raw, Uncirculated Coins:
These coins have been selling recently for an average of $1.50 on eBay.
Key Artists Information
- Laura Gardin Fraser: Renowned American woman sculptor who designed the portrait of George Washington in 1932, now being applied to American Women Quarters.
- Emily Damstra: A senior science illustrator and designer who has created coins for numerous nations.
- John P. McGraw is a professional sculptor who became part of the US Mint in 2014 and was made an official medallic artist in 2020.
Conclusion – A Coin, An Inspiring Story
The Anna May Wong Quarter is not only a coin; it is a depiction of the motivational history of a tough, hardworking woman. This America’s first Asian American movie star quarter is not only historically but also culturally extremely significant.
If you love collecting special or old coins, then this quarter can find a special niche in your collection.
FAQs
Who was Anna May Wong and why is she honored on a U.S. quarter?
Anna May Wong was the first Asian American Hollywood star, honored for breaking barriers in film and advocating authentic Asian representation.
What is special about the reverse design of the Anna May Wong Quarter?
The reverse features a glamorous portrait of Wong framed by a marquee, symbolizing her legacy as a Hollywood icon.
Who designed the Anna May Wong Quarter’s reverse?
The reverse was designed by Emily Damstra, a Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist, and sculpted by John P. McGraw.
