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After the 56-coin America the Beautiful Quarters Program concluded in early 2021, the United States Mint introduced the Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter as a one-year type. This stopgap issue became necessary after the Treasury Department allowed the 2018 legislative deadline to authorize a second round of America the Beautiful Quarters to pass.
The Mint unveiled the new reverse design on December 25, 2020 to mark the 244th anniversary of General George Washington’s historic 1776 river crossing. Created by Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer Benjamin Sowards and sculpted by Medallic Artist Michael Gaudioso, the reverse features Washington holding a saber, directing a boat carrying troops (which historically included future President James Monroe).
Notably, this 2021 issue also restored artist John Flanagan’s original Washington obverse effigy, which had been modified in 1999 to accommodate the 50 State Quarters Program.
Production for circulation was immense across the Mint's branch facilities. The Denver Mint recorded the highest output for the design, striking 1,169,400,000 of the 2021-D Quarters (#868829), which outpaced the Philadelphia Mint's production of 998,800,000 coins.
The first batches entered circulation on April 5, 2021. This heavy-mintage, one-year design successfully served as a bridge before the U.S. Mint launched the multi-year American Women Quarters program in 2022.
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