A defining moment in US history was marked when individuals began envisioning possibilities beyond Earth’s confines. Among them was the tenacious, inspired, and pioneering figure Sally Ride – the first American woman to traverse the bounds of space. Her groundbreaking journey shattered barriers and left an indelible mark on the aspirations of women worldwide.
To honor her remarkable achievements, the US Mint featured Sally Ride on the second coin in the American Women Quarters series, launched in 2022. Explore the life and legacy of Sally Ride and delve into the intricate details of the commemorative coin dedicated to her in this article.
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The 2022 Sally Ride Quarter Release, Design & Composition
Official announcement and release date
The Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 authorized the American Women Quarters program. It commemorates the 100th birthday of the Nineteenth Amendment, which allowed women to vote in 1920. The program will last four years and feature five notable women from US history yearly in various fields, such as civil rights, suffrage, science, art, etc.
Mintage figures and locations
Coins from the American Women Quarters (AWQ) program are crafted at the mints located in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. In 2022, the Denver mint produced a staggering 278,000,000 Sally Ride quarters, while Philadelphia contributed 275,200,000, and San Francisco a more exclusive 304,000.
As a result, more than half a billion Sally Ride quarters have entered the hands of enthusiasts and circulation across the nation. To identify the origin of each coin, look for the mint mark: ‘P’ signifies Philadelphia, ‘D’ represents Denver, and ‘S’ indicates San Francisco.
The 2022 Sally Ride Quarter Design
Designing a beautiful coin like Sally Ride’s Quarter requires much work, talent, and dedication. The US Mint certainly chose the best people for this job since this coin is considered one of the most beautiful ones in the AWQ program so far.
Artists and engravers involved in the project
Laura Garden Fraser crafted the obverse side. Her design was first supposed to be on a Washington quarter in 1932 but was ultimately replaced by John Flanagan’s work. Elana Hagle, a professor from Alabama State University, carefully drafted the reverse of the Sally Ride quarter. The sculptor’s credits go to Phebe Hemphill, an artist from Pennsylvania.
The Sally Ride Quarter Obverse side
The obverse side of the Sally Ride quarter prominently features a right-facing portrait of George Washington, the Founding Father and inaugural President of the United States. Three distinct inscriptions encircle his visage. At the top of the coin, the emblematic word ‘LIBERTY’ takes pride of place. To the left, the time-honored U.S. motto, ‘IN GOD WE TRUST,’ is carefully etched, while the right side elegantly bears the year of minting along with the identifying mint mark.
The Sally Ride Quarter Reverse side
One of Sally Ride’s most celebrated quotes, “When I wasn’t working, I was usually at a window looking down at Earth,” inspires her depiction on the coin. She is portrayed standing at a space shuttle window, gazing at the Earth and America below, garbed in her astronaut suit. This image poignantly symbolizes her unswerving commitment and profound attachment to her esteemed profession.
Emblazoned at the top of the coin is the inscription ‘UNITED STATES OF AMERICA’, while the bottom features a finely engraved denomination, along with her name and honorific title, ‘DR. SALLY RIDE’. Between the ethereal representation of Sally and the Earth, another revered U.S. motto, ‘E PLURIBUS UNUM’, finds its place, adding a deeper layer of meaning to this commemorative piece.
Related: The Susan B. Anthony Dollar: Unveiling the Story of a Revolutionary Coin
The 2022 Sally Ride Quarter Composition
The Sally Ride quarter is made of an alloy of copper and nickel, with the latter comprising 8.33% of the coin. It weighs 5.670 g or 0.2 oz. and is 24.26 mm or 0.9 in. in diameter. The coin is reeded with 119 reeds and is 1.75 mm (0.06 in) thick. The small number of coins from San Francisco are 99.9% silver, making them even more lustrous and valuable.
The 2022 Sally Ride Quarter Value
The Sally Ride quarters are generally valued at no more than one dollar, with the majority minted in Philadelphia and Denver, making them common and affordable. However, coins with the ‘S’ mint mark may fetch between $10 and $50, based on their condition. The value of these quarters is likely to increase over time, so consider retaining your collection until it reaches a desirable value.
The 2022 Sally Ride Quarter Error List
Due to the intricate and sensitive minting process, Mint errors can transform ordinary coins into coveted treasures. These mistakes, though unintentional, can make affected coins more sought-after and valuable.
A notable example is a Sally Ride quarter that was sold for $10,000 in April 2023. This particular coin was mistakenly struck on a planchet intended for Jefferson nickels. As it’s uncertain if similar specimens exist, carefully examining your Sally Ride quarters might prove worthwhile.
Common errors like double die clipped planchet and die crack may be present in any coin, including the Sally Ride quarter. Unique errors in this coin might be undiscovered due to its recent issuance. In such cases, professional coin grading services can appraise the value. While typical mistakes might raise a coin’s price by $5 to $50, those with extremely rare errors could fetch thousands of dollars.
Related: What Quarters Are Worth Money? List of Rare Quarters
Public Reaction to Sally Ride Quarter
Initial public response upon release
The release of the quarter featuring Sally Ride was met with resounding approval from the public. This enthusiastic response was expected, given Dr. Ride’s status as one of the most admired women in US history. Furthermore, the selection process for the AWQ program incorporated input from the general public, as well as prominent museums and organizations. This ensured that avid followers of numismatic news were engaged and supportive of the choice rather than surprised by it.
Criticisms, praises, and controversies
The decision by the US Mint to feature Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, on a coin was largely met with acclaim. However, a minor segment of conservatives expressed dissatisfaction with the selection. This discontent was primarily linked to Sally Ride’s sexual orientation, as she became the first person from the LGBTQ community to be depicted on a numismatic piece. Nonetheless, those voicing criticism constituted a negligible fraction of the overall response.
Sally Ride’s Legacy
Sally Ride’s Early Life and Education
Born as Sally Kristen Ride in California in 1951, Sally was a disciplined child with a natural talent for tennis. After graduating from high school, she attended Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, eyeing a professional sports career in tennis.
However, feeling homesick, Sally returned to Los Angeles and enrolled in the University of California, where she began taking physics classes. During this time, she recognized the immense effort required to become a professional tennis player. Choosing to abandon this goal, she devoted herself to academics instead.
As a junior, she transferred to Stanford University, earning Bachelor’s degrees in physics and English literature. Five years later, she obtained her Doctor of Philosophy, with a thesis focusing on X-rays and the interstellar medium.
Her Journey to Becoming the First American Woman Astronaut
In 1977, an article in The Stanford Daily about NASA’s search for astronauts caught Sally’s attention. She applied and, by 1978, started her official training. Completing it in 1979, she became one of the only six women in a group of 35 astronauts, a significant achievement in a male-dominated field.
Sally’s journey was not without challenges, as she faced sexism from the early days of her career. Engineers humorously offered to send her a hundred tampons for a six-day space operation and even suggested packing a makeup kit. Concerns were raised about how she would react emotionally if things went wrong.
Undeterred by these biases, Ride firmly insisted on being treated like her male counterparts. Her perseverance and talent paved the way for her historic role as the first American woman in space.
Major milestones in Sally Ride’s career
Apart from being the first American woman to travel to space, Sally is also the youngest American woman to do so. She was only 32 when Challenger took off from Kennedy Space Center and returned to Edwards Air Force Base six days later.
After her astronaut career, Sally was a professor at the University of California in San Diego. She was also a director of CalSpace, also known as California Space Institute. Later, she co-founded Sally Ride Science, an organization meant to inspire youngsters and girls to pursue careers in STEM. She turned down an offer to become NASA administrator several times.
Sally Ride was inducted into the National Women’s, Astronaut’s, California’s, and National Aviation Halls of Fame. She also got the NASA Space Flight Medal twice. The ex-president Barack Obama posthumously awarded her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2014, she was included in Legacy Walk in Chicago.
The Sally Ride Quarter FAQs
Where can I find a Sally Ride quarter?
You can buy the Sally Ride quarter from the official store of the US Mint. You can also get your Sally Ride quarters at auctions or from resellers. In this case, make sure that the coins are professionally graded, especially if you plan to spend a lot of money.
Who are the other women featured in the American Women Quarters Program?
In 2022, the US Mint featured Maya Angelou, Sally Ride, Wilma Mankiller, Nina Otero-Warren, and Anna May Wong in the American Women Quarters program. In 2023, the five honored women will be Bessie Coleman, Edith Kanaka’ole, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jovita Idar, and Maria Tallchief. The women announced for the program’s third year (2024) are Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, Patsy Takemoto Mink, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, Celia Kruz, and Zitkala-Ša.
Why was Sally Ride chosen for this honor?
Sally Ride was chosen for the American Women Quarters program because she was the first American woman to ever fly to space, and she was the youngest American astronaut to accomplish this. Moreover, she was the first astronaut known to be LGBTQ.
Conclusion
Dr. Sally Ride is a towering figure in American history, having made an indelible mark as the first woman to participate in a space mission. Her groundbreaking journey into space has not only shattered barriers but also ignited a passion among generations of young girls to chase their dreams and venture into fields traditionally dominated by men, such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
In 2022, the US Mint paid tribute to Ride’s remarkable life and achievements by featuring her in the American Women Quarters program. This coin, celebrated by the public, became a cherished item in the world of numismatics. Although the monetary value of the quarter fluctuates between $0.15 and $10,000 based on its rarity and condition, its true worth is immeasurable, reflecting the legacy of the extraordinary woman it represents.
