Women’s History Month honors the innovators, leaders, visionaries, and trailblazers whose influence shaped the United States. Many of these women — from civil rights pioneers to scientists, cultural icons, and advocates for justice — are also honored in one of the most enduring forms of American storytelling: our coins and currency.
Across U.S. coinage and select historic notes, their achievements live on in metal and paper, offering collectors a powerful connection to the women who changed America.
This month, we’re celebrating the remarkable women who appear across U.S. coinage, commemoratives, and historic currency, with a special spotlight on the American Women Quarters Program and other influential releases.
Pioneers, Leaders & Icons: Women Honored on U.S. Money
Women have appeared on more U.S. monetary designs than many collectors realize. From early commemoratives to modern circulating coins, their stories span centuries of American progress.
Below is a look at the most significant women represented on U.S. coins and historic currency.
Queen Isabella – 1893 Isabella Quarter
The first real woman to appear on a U.S. coin, Queen Isabella was featured on the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition quarter.
Her coin marks a milestone moment in U.S. Mint history and remains one of the most sought-after classic commemoratives.
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U.S. Mint Images |
Pocahontas – 1865 $20 National Bank Note
Pocahontas appears on several 19th century banknotes, including the famous 1865 $20 note depicting her baptism.
Her presence on historic currency reflects early American storytelling and the nation’s complex relationship with Indigenous history.
Martha Washington – U.S. $1 Silver Certificates (1886, 1891)
The only woman featured prominently on the face of a U.S. Federal currency note, Martha Washington remains a unique figure in paper money history.
Her portrait appeared again on the back of the “Educational Series” 1896 $1 note alongside George Washington.
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GOVMINT Image |
Susan B. Anthony – Dollar Coin (1979–1999)
The Susan B. Anthony Dollar introduced the first real woman on modern circulating U.S. coinage. Celebrating her leadership in the women’s suffrage movement, the series set the stage for greater representation in future decades.
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Sacagawea – Dollar (2000–Present)
The Sacagawea Dollar honors the Lemhi Shoshone guide and diplomat whose expertise supported the Lewis and Clark expedition.
The design, featuring Sacagawea carrying her infant son, is one of the most beloved modern U.S. coin images.
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Helen Keller – Alabama State Quarter (2003)
The Alabama quarter features Helen Keller seated with inscriptions in English and Braille — the first U.S. coin to include Braille lettering.
It honors her work as an author, educator, and disability rights advocate.
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Women in Military Service – 1994 Commemorative
This commemorative silver dollar honors the generations of women who served in the United States Armed Forces — a powerful tribute to courage and sacrifice.
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Women in Innovation Series
Celebrating historic achievements in science and engineering, this series includes:
- Annie Jump Cannon (2019): A pioneering astronomer who classified hundreds of thousands of stars.
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Raye Montague (2025): The groundbreaking naval engineer who revolutionized U.S. ship design.
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Boudicca – “Women in History” Series (Niue)
While not a U.S. Mint coin, this piece honors the Celtic queen who led a historic uprising against Roman rule. It appeals to collectors who appreciate global storytelling surrounding powerful women.
 
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2013 Girl Scouts of the USA Centennial Silver Dollar
The U.S. Mint issued this commemorative silver dollar to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the USA.
The obverse features three Girl Scouts of different ages with the words Courage, Confidence, Character, and the reverse carries the classic Girl Scouts trefoil emblem.
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U.S. Mint Images |
2021 $1 and $5 Federal Reserve Notes – First U.S. Currency Signed by Two Women
For the first time in American history, two women’s signatures appear together on U.S. currency:
- Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen — the first woman to hold the office
- U.S. Treasurer Chief Lynn Malerba — the first Native American Treasurer
Their signatures appear on Series 2021 $1 and $5 notes, marking a historic milestone in U.S. currency representation
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Women’s Rights on America’s Coins
A number of modern U.S. coins spotlight women who changed the nation through advocacy, leadership, and the pursuit of equality.
Wilma Mankiller (2022 Quarter)
First female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.
Design: Wearing a shawl beside a seven-pointed star and Cherokee syllabary.
Eleanor Roosevelt (2023 Quarter)
Civil liberties advocate, humanitarian, and chair of the United Nations Human Rights Commission.
Design: Depicts Roosevelt standing beside the scales of justice with a globe backdrop, symbolizing her work on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Patsy Takemoto Mink (2024 Quarter)
First woman of color in Congress; co-author of Title IX.
Design: Holding Title IX before the Capitol; “Equal Opportunity in Education.”
Juliette Gordon Low (2025 Quarter)
Founder of the Girl Scouts and champion of youth leadership.
Design: Depicts Low in her Girl Scout leader’s uniform, complete with hat, jacket, neckerchief, and insignia. Her name appears beside the Girl Scouts trefoil emblem, with surrounding inscriptions honoring her role as founder.
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The American Women Quarters Program (2022–2025)
This landmark program celebrates 20 extraordinary women whose work shaped American history across civil rights, government, science, arts, education, and more.
Below is a complete overview of the honorees.
2022 Honorees
- Maya Angelou – Writer, poet, activist
- Dr. Sally Ride – First American woman in space
- Wilma Mankiller – Cherokee Nation leader
- Nina Otero Warren – Suffrage leader in the Southwest
- Anna May Wong – First Chinese American film star in Hollywood
2023 Honorees
- Bessie Coleman – First African American & Native American woman pilot
- Edith Kanaka’ole – Hawaiian cultural and ecological leader
- Eleanor Roosevelt – First Lady & human rights advocate
- Jovita Idar – Journalist & civil rights activist
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Maria Tallchief – America’s first major prima ballerina
2024 Honorees
- Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray – Legal scholar, civil rights advocate, poet
- Patsy Takemoto Mink – Title IX co author
- Dr. Mary Edwards Walker – Medal of Honor recipient, Civil War surgeon
- Celia Cruz – Iconic Cuban American singer
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Zitkala-Ša – Yankton Dakota writer, activist, composer
2025 Honorees
- Ida B. Wells – Journalist & anti lynching activist
- Juliette Gordon Low – Girl Scouts founder
- Dr. Vera Rubin – Astronomer, dark matter research pioneer
- Stacey Park Milbern – Disability justice leader
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Althea Gibson – Tennis champion & civil rights figure
Why These Women Matter
Coins and currency provide a unique opportunity to honor the stories that define us.
For collectors, these pieces offer:
Living history.
Powerful role models.
Celebrations of courage, creativity, and change.
They show us how far we’ve come — and who helped lead the way.
Collect the Stories That Shaped America
From educators to astronauts, advocates to artists, soldiers to scientists, the women honored across U.S. money continue to inspire new generations.
Each coin is a tribute to resilience.
Each design is a reminder of progress.
Each release brings history into your hands.
Click on any photo to order.