American Women Quarters Series
Maria Tallchief Quarter
History, design, and collector guide
Maria Tallchief overview
Maria Tallchief became America’s first major prima ballerina, rising to international fame with the New York City Ballet in the 1940s and 50s and breaking barriers as one of the first Native American stars of American ballet.
Released October 23, 2023 as the final coin of the program’s second year, her quarter also connects to another modern U.S. coin, since Tallchief, who was Osage, previously appeared on the 2023 Sacagawea dollar.
Design and specifications
The reverse shows Tallchief spotlit in a balletic pose, with her Osage name inscribed nearby.
- Reverse sculptor: Joseph Menna
- Reverse designer (Artistic Infusion Program): Benjamin Sowards
- Release date: October 23, 2023
- Composition (standard clad): 91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel
- Composition (silver proof): 99.9% silver
- Diameter: 24.26 mm, edge: 119 reeds
- Obverse: George Washington, designed by Laura Gardin Fraser
Mintage figures
Mintage by mint, all figures from official U.S. Mint production reports.
- Philadelphia (no mintmark): 185,800,000
- Denver (D): 184,800,000
- San Francisco proof (S): 502,560
- Total mintage: 371,102,560
At roughly 371.1 million coins, the Tallchief quarter has the lowest total mintage of the five 2023 releases.
Why Maria Tallchief was chosen
Tallchief was selected for her role in establishing American ballet as a world class art form. She became the first American to dance at the Paris Opera and the first Native American to hold the title of prima ballerina with a major company.
Designer Benjamin Sowards said he hoped the design would capture not just her technical skill but her courage and perseverance as a performer who broke barriers throughout her career.
Collecting the Maria Tallchief quarter
Circulated Tallchief quarters are worth face value, with about 371.1 million struck, the lowest total of the 2023 lineup.
The silver proof version offers the main premium option for collectors, alongside high grade Mint State coins pursued by series completionists.
5 fun facts about the Maria Tallchief quarter
- Maria Tallchief was the first Native American to become a prima ballerina with a major American company.
- She was the first American dancer to perform at the Paris Opera.
- Tallchief, who was Osage, also appears on the 2023 Sacagawea dollar coin.
- Her quarter closed out the American Women Quarters Program’s second year, released October 23, 2023.
- The reverse includes her Osage name inscribed beside her portrait.
5 common FAQs about the Maria Tallchief quarter
- Is a Maria Tallchief quarter worth anything?
Circulated coins are worth face value. About 371.1 million were struck, the lowest total of the 2023 releases. - Why was Maria Tallchief chosen for a quarter?
She was honored as America’s first major prima ballerina and the first Native American to reach that rank with a major ballet company. - Does Maria Tallchief appear on any other U.S. coin?
Yes, she also appears on the 2023 Sacagawea dollar. - What is shown on the Maria Tallchief quarter?
Tallchief is shown spotlit in a balletic pose with her Osage name inscribed beside her. - When was the Maria Tallchief quarter released?
It entered circulation on October 23, 2023, closing out the program’s second year.
3 quiz questions about the Maria Tallchief quarter
- What was Maria Tallchief’s historic distinction in ballet?
A) First American to dance at the Bolshoi
B) First Native American prima ballerina with a major company
C) First male principal dancer at NYCB
D) First choreographer of color at NYCB - What other U.S. coin also features Maria Tallchief?
A) The Susan B. Anthony dollar
B) The Sacagawea dollar
C) The Kennedy half dollar
D) The Presidential dollar - Which 2023 quarter had the lowest total mintage?
A) Bessie Coleman
B) Edith Kanakaʻole
C) Eleanor Roosevelt
D) Maria Tallchief
Maria Tallchief Quarter, Takeaway
The Maria Tallchief quarter, released in October 2023, closed out the program’s second year and honors America’s first major prima ballerina and the first Native American to reach that rank. With about 371.1 million struck, it has the lowest mintage of the 2023 lineup, though circulated coins are still worth only face value.