American Women Quarters Series
Dr. Vera Rubin Quarter
History, design, and collector guide
Dr. Vera Rubin overview
Dr. Vera Rubin was an astronomer whose measurements of galaxy rotation in the 1970s provided some of the strongest early evidence for dark matter, the invisible substance now understood to make up most of the matter in the universe. She spent most of her career at the Carnegie Institution for Science and mentored numerous women entering astronomy.
Released June 3, 2025, her quarter also made her the first Jewish person honored on U.S. currency, recognizing a career that reshaped modern astrophysics.
Design and specifications
The reverse shows a profile portrait of Rubin set against a dark matter themed background, referencing the discovery most closely associated with her research.
- Reverse sculptor: John P. McGraw
- Reverse designer (Artistic Infusion Program): Christina Hess
- Release date: June 3, 2025
- 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): 55,800,000
- Denver (D): 63,000,000
- San Francisco proof (S): 383,480
- Total mintage: 119,183,480
At about 119.2 million coins, the Rubin quarter had one of the lowest mintages in the entire series, roughly a sixth of the Edith Kanakaʻole quarter from 2023.
Why Dr. Vera Rubin was chosen
Rubin was chosen for research that fundamentally changed how astronomers understand the universe. Her observations showed that galaxies rotate in ways that could not be explained by visible matter alone, evidence that helped establish dark matter as a serious field of study.
Her selection also marked a milestone for representation, since Rubin became the first Jewish person featured on U.S. currency, alongside recognition of the barriers she faced and overcame as a woman in astronomy during the mid 20th century.
Collecting the Dr. Vera Rubin quarter
With only about 119.2 million struck, the Rubin quarter has a noticeably lower mintage than most of the series, making it one to watch for coin roll hunters even though it still trades for face value today.
As mintages across the series continue trending downward, some collectors expect the lowest 2025 dates, including Rubin, to be worth watching for modest long term premiums, though there is no guarantee of that and current values remain at or near face.
5 fun facts about the Dr. Vera Rubin quarter
- Vera Rubin’s research on galaxy rotation provided some of the strongest early evidence for dark matter.
- She is the first Jewish person honored on U.S. currency.
- Rubin spent most of her career at the Carnegie Institution for Science.
- With about 119.2 million struck, her quarter has one of the lowest mintages in the entire series.
- She mentored numerous women entering the field of astronomy throughout her career.
5 common FAQs about the Dr. Vera Rubin quarter
- Is a Vera Rubin quarter worth anything?
Circulated coins currently trade for face value, though with only about 119.2 million struck, it has a lower mintage than most dates in the series. - Why was Vera Rubin chosen for a quarter?
She was honored for astronomical research that provided key evidence for dark matter and for becoming the first Jewish person on U.S. currency. - What scientific concept is referenced on the Vera Rubin quarter?
The reverse design uses a dark matter themed background, referencing the research she is best known for. - What research is Vera Rubin best known for?
Her measurements of galaxy rotation speeds, which provided strong early evidence for the existence of dark matter. - When was the Vera Rubin quarter released?
It entered circulation on June 3, 2025.
3 quiz questions about the Dr. Vera Rubin quarter
- What scientific discovery is Vera Rubin best known for supporting evidence of?
A) Black holes
B) Dark matter
C) The Big Bang
D) Exoplanets - What is Vera Rubin’s historic distinction on U.S. currency?
A) First Jewish person
B) First Catholic person
C) First Muslim person
D) First atheist - About how many Vera Rubin quarters were struck in total?
A) 40 million
B) 119 million
C) 400 million
D) 700 million
Dr. Vera Rubin Quarter, Takeaway
The Vera Rubin quarter, released in June 2025, honors an astronomer whose research on galaxy rotation helped establish dark matter as a field of study, and made her the first Jewish person featured on U.S. currency. With only about 119.2 million struck, it has one of the lowest mintages in the series.