2023 P Bessie Coleman American Women Quarter 40-Coin Roll

Soar with a Pioneering Spirit Who Defied Gravity and Prejudice

Honor the remarkable legacy of Bessie Coleman, the first African American and first Native American woman pilot, and the first African American to earn an international pilot's license. This 40-coin roll features the first release in the 2023 American Women Quarters Program, all struck at the Philadelphia Mint (P). Each quarter celebrates Coleman's extraordinary courage in breaking barriers of race and gender to pursue her dream of flight, finding freedom in the skies that was denied to her on the ground.

What Makes This Roll Special

• Complete 40-Coin Roll: Full roll of Philadelphia Mint (P) quarters in original mint packaging
• First Release in 2023: Kicks off the second year of the historic American Women Quarters Program
• Circulating Quality: Authentic U.S. Mint quarters in brilliant uncirculated condition
• 6th Overall Release: Continuing the groundbreaking series celebrating women's contributions to American history
• Inspiring Reverse Design: Features Bessie Coleman suiting up for flight with a determined expression reflecting her pursuit of freedom in the skies
• Aviation Pioneer: Honors the trailblazer who refused to let racism and segregation ground her dreams
• Laura Gardin Fraser Obverse: Showcases the celebrated Washington portrait originally designed for the 1932 quarter bicentennial
• Mint Roll Packaging: Wrapping may vary by mint production
• Legal Tender: Backed by the United States government

The Artistry Behind the Coin

Obverse: The obverse features Laura Gardin Fraser's elegant portrait of George Washington, originally sculpted in 1931 to commemorate Washington's 200th birthday. Though recommended for the 1932 quarter, this design was passed over by then-Treasury Secretary Mellon in favor of John Flanagan's familiar profile. Nearly a century later, Fraser's vision finally graces America's circulating coinage, offering collectors a fresh perspective on our first president with refined detail and timeless artistry.

Reverse: The reverse design captures Bessie Coleman in a powerful moment of preparation, suiting up for flight with an expression of unwavering determination. The design reflects her resolve to take to the skies, the only place where she experienced true freedom from the racism and segregation that constrained her life on the ground. Born on January 26, 1892, in Atlanta, Texas, during an era of overt racism and Jim Crow laws, Coleman faced rejection from every U.S. flying school she approached. Undeterred, she learned French and traveled to Paris in 1920 to attend the renowned Caudron Brothers' School of Aviation in Le Crotoy, France, where she was the only student of color in her class. On June 15, 1921, she received her international pilot's license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, making history. Returning to the U.S., she performed in her first airshow in September 1922, becoming famous for her daring "loop-the-loops" and figure-8 maneuvers. Coleman used her growing fame to inspire African Americans and women to pursue aviation, and she refused to speak or perform anywhere that practiced segregation. Though her flying career was tragically cut short when she died in a practice flight accident on April 30, 1926, her legacy continues to inspire generations of aviators. Inscriptions include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "BESSIE COLEMAN," "QUARTER DOLLAR," and "E PLURIBUS UNUM."

Why Collectors Choose This Piece

The American Women Quarters Program represents a watershed moment in U.S. numismatics, honoring women who shaped American history across diverse fields including aviation, civil rights, and breaking barriers. Bessie Coleman's quarter celebrates a woman whose courage and determination opened the skies to future generations of African American and women pilots. Her refusal to accept the limitations imposed by racism and sexism, combined with her commitment to using her platform to inspire others and fight segregation, makes her story one of extraordinary heroism. This 40-coin roll offers exceptional value for collectors building complete sets, those seeking multiple coins for trading or gifting, or investors acquiring American Women Quarters in quantity. Whether you're completing the full series or honoring Coleman's inspiring legacy of courage and perseverance, this roll offers both profound historical significance and accessible collecting value.

Images shown are stock photos and may not represent the exact coins you will receive. All coins are authentic U.S. Mint products.