1932-S Washington Quarter

The story of the 1932-S Washington quarter closely mirrors that of the 1932-D.

As the 1932 bicentennial of George Washington’s birth approached, the Treasury Department, in conjunction with the advisory Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), proposed the issue of a medal and commemorative half dollar coin to honor the nation’s first president. The public was invited to competitively submit designs.⁽¹⁾

The clear winner, in the opinion of the CFA, was Laura Gardin Fraser, the accomplished sculptor wife of James E. Fraser, whose Buffalo nickel design had already won wide acclaim.

Plans for a Washington commemorative coin were soon scrapped. Instead, on March 4, 1931, Congress approved a regular issue quarter with the mandate it featured the image of Washington. It was to be modelled on the lionized Houdon bust preserved at Mt. Vernon. Once again, an open contest was organized to select a design.

The CFA objected to the second competition, strongly recommending to Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon that Fraser's design be adopted for the new quarter. Mellon refused and proceeded with the competition.

More than 100 entries were submitted, including Fraser's design, modified to fit on a quarter. Also among the contestants was John Flanagan, a former student of the famous sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Once again, the CFA favored the work of Fraser, but Secretary Mellon preferred the design of Flanagan.

The CFA and Mellon argued back and forth for several months. Before the issue was settled, Mellon left to become President Hoover's ambassador to Great Britain. His successor, Ogden Mills, bluntly informed the CFA Flanagan’s selection was final and the debate was over.

The new Washington quarter entered everyday American life on August 1, 1932. Caught in the throes of the Great Depression, coinage of many denominations was limited during the early to mid-1930s. Only 408,000 Washington quarters were struck in 1932 at the San Francisco Mint. Its running mate, the 1932-D, fared little better, with just 436,800 pieces issued. These mintages rate near the lowest of 20th century United States coins.⁽³⁾

Both the 1932-D and 1932-S circulated for many years with little appreciation from hobbyists. Finally, in the 1950s, collecting Washington quarters became a popular pastime. As the scarcest dates in the series, the 1932 branch mint pair rose to prominence, where they have remained since.⁽⁴⁾

Fascinating Fact: Laura Gardin Fraser, who many felt was the most deserving in 1932, belatedly received a great honor. In 1999, 33 years after her death, her Washington design was selected to grace the commemorative half eagle observing the 200th anniversary of the death of the first U.S. President.⁽⁵⁾

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