2024-S Mary Edwards Walker, NIFC

The Not Issued For Circulation (NIFC) format for Mary Edwards Walker represents an uncirculated finish struck at San Francisco for direct collector sale through Mint bag and roll programs. Walker's Civil War service included emergency surgical work near the front lines, civilian medical assistance behind enemy positions, and a stretch of imprisonment that contributed to lifelong health complications. She remained a public figure for decades, often appearing in tailored male attire while lecturing on temperance, suffrage, and constitutional rights. The 2024 NIFC mintage reached 800,000 pieces, distributed through 100 coin bags and two roll sets sold via the United States Mint's online and direct purchase channels. These never entered the Federal Reserve distribution pipeline that supplies general commerce.

NIFC specifications match the standard clad circulation strikes in every metallic respect, with 91.67 percent copper and 8.33 percent nickel cladding bonded to copper core planchets weighing 5.67 grams across 24.3 millimeters with reeded edges. The S mintmark appears below IN GOD WE TRUST on the obverse, distinguishing these from the Philadelphia and Denver circulation strikes. The reverse retains John P. McGraw's Medal of Honor portrait sculpted by Renata Gordon. Authentication for the NIFC format focuses on confirming the S mintmark genuineness and verifying the uncirculated finish, which lacks the mirrored fields of proof strikes but typically presents fuller luster and sharper detail than business strikes pulled from circulation. The uncirculated bag finish carries a distinctive subtle satin appearance on properly preserved examples.

Collectors building first generation American Women sets often pursue NIFC examples in original Mint packaging for the strongest premium potential, while certified MS67 and MS68 grades from Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) trade at meaningful multiples over face. Original sealed Mint bags and rolls remain the most reliable source for certified gem examples, with sealing tags providing dealer-verified provenance for high-grade submissions. The complete program context is presented in the Washington Quarters (American Women) series history.