Today, June 2, the United States Mint began shipping 2025 Dr. Vera Rubin quarters to Federal Reserve Banks and their coin terminals for distribution into circulation. This coin marks the third of five unique quarter designs for this year and the eighteenth overall in the U.S. Mint’s American Women Quarters™ Program.
At the start of the four-year, 20-coin series in 2022, the trailblazers honored were Maya Angelou, Dr. Sally Ride, Wilma Mankiller, Nina Otero-Warren, and Anna May Wong. Quarters released in 2023 extended the celebration of the accomplishments and contributions made by American women by honoring Bessie Coleman, Edith Kanakaʻole, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jovita Idar, and Maria Tallchief. The 2024 quarters pay tribute to Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, Patsy Takemoto Mink, Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, Celia Cruz, and Zitkala-Ša. In addition to Dr. Vera Rubin, quarters for 2025 celebrate Ida B. Wells, Juliette Gordon Low, Stacey Park Milbern, and Althea Gibson.
Dr. Vera Rubin (1928–2016) was an American astronomer best known for her pioneering work on galaxy rotation rates, which provided critical evidence for the existence of dark matter.
“The data on dark matter from dozens of galaxies that Rubin presented to the International Astronomical Union in 1985 ultimately changed scientific conceptions of the universe and opened new paths in both astronomy and physics,” noted Kristie McNally, the Mint’s Acting Director.
The new quarter’s reverse (tails side) shows Dr. Vera Rubin in profile, smiling as she looks upward in contemplation of the cosmos. A spiral galaxy and surrounding celestial bodies frame the scene. Inscriptions include “DR. VERA RUBIN,” “QUARTER DOLLAR,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” with “DARK MATTER” appearing along the bottom.
This image was designed by Artist Infusion Program designer Christina Hess and sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist John P. McGraw.
“Dr. Rubin’s story exemplifies strength, dedication, and determination, and it was a great honor to illustrate her portrait and legacy,” said Hess. “By positioning her portrait off-center and toward the upper right, I aimed to move the audience’s gaze upward, symbolizing exploration beyond the coin’s boundaries, evoking a sense of infinite possibility and continuous motion.”
“Vera Rubin was an American astronomer and genius,” said McGraw. “Layering her portrait with the galaxy in the background made for a fun and challenging sculpt. I feel honored that I was given the opportunity to memorialize her and her contributions to science on a coin.”
The obverse (heads side) of every American Women Quarter features a common design – a portrait of George Washington. Sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser more than 90 years ago, the image was originally created to commemorate Washington’s 200th birthday.
Quarters for circulation are produced at U.S. Mint production facilities in Philadelphia and Denver.
On Tuesday, June 3, the U.S. Mint will offer circulating quality Dr. Vera Rubin quarters to the public via their website at https://catalog.usmint.gov. These quarters will be offered in three different product options:
- a set of two rolls for $42,
- a set of three rolls for $63, and
- 100-coin bags at $47.25 apiece.
Notably, the three-roll set includes a roll of quarters from the San Francisco Mint, offering a unique level of rarity since, unlike those from Philadelphia and Denver, these quarters are not released into general circulation.
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