2022-P Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou published "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" in 1969 and went on to recite "On the Pulse of Morning" at President Bill Clinton's 1993 inauguration, becoming the first Black woman to deliver a writing-only solo Inaugural poem. Her appearance on the 2022 quarter launched the American Women Quarters Program, a four-year run authorized by Public Law 116-330, the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, signed January 13, 2021. The Philadelphia branch struck 237,600,000 of these Angelou clad business strikes, putting more circulating Angelou quarters into commerce than any other variant of the issue. Coins from this initial release entered banks across the eastern half of the country starting January 10, 2022, and most working examples found in pocket change carry the P mintmark just above the date on the obverse.

The reverse, designed by Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) artist Emily Damstra and sculpted by US Mint Medallic Artist Craig A. Campbell, shows Angelou with her arms outstretched, a bird in flight at her side, and a rising sun behind her. The obverse uses Laura Gardin Fraser's George Washington portrait, a 1932 design originally chosen by the Treasury Department for the regular Washington quarter but overruled by Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon in favor of John Flanagan's work. Fraser's image was finally adopted ninety years later for this program. Specifications match every clad American Women quarter: 91.67% copper and 8.33% nickel clad to a pure copper core, 5.67 grams, 24.3 millimeters in diameter, with a reeded edge. Authentication on a Philadelphia strike depends on the P mintmark placement, the satin business strike finish, and the relief of Angelou's arms and the bird's wing tips, which were among the first details to fade on overused dies.

Mint-state Philadelphia Angelou quarters remain affordable in MS65 and MS66, with MS67 and MS68 examples commanding strong premiums when graded by Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC). Early-release and First Strike holders carry their own collector following. See the Washington Quarters (American Women) series history.