Youth Sports Quarters

The Youth Sports Quarter Obverse: A New George Washington

Final design, announced 26 October 2026

Every Youth Sports Quarter from 2027 to 2030 carries one new portrait of George Washington, in civilian attire at a three-quarter angle. The U.S. Mint made it public on 26 October 2026, and it matches GW-01, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee's recommendation.

The Youth Sports Quarter obverse: George Washington in civilian attire at a three-quarter angle, head lifted
The 2027 to 2030 obverse, design GW-01. Image: United States Mint.

The new portrait

The U.S. Mint describes the obverse as a new portrait of George Washington in civilian attire at a three-quarter angle. Washington's head is lifted and turned slightly toward the viewer, rather than shown in strict profile. LIBERTY runs down the left rim, E PLURIBUS UNUM down the right, and IN GOD WE TRUST and 25¢ sit below the portrait. The Mint's image shows the S mint mark of a San Francisco proof. The Mint calls it the fifth distinct depiction of Washington on a U.S. quarter.

How GW-01 was chosen

CCAC recommendation, 18 November 2025

GW-01 (chosen)

The Mint's design notes call it "a reverent portrait of America's first president." It scored 20 of 30 possible points, the highest in the portfolio, and the committee's motion passed with nine in favor and one abstaining. Members felt it paired well with JFK-02, their choice for the companion half dollar.

CFA recommendation, 22 January 2026

GW-03A

One of two versions the Mint described as "Washington in profile, dressed in uniform." The Commission chose it for showing Washington as leader of the Continental Army, which it found right for the 250th anniversary year, and it spoke well of GW-01 as strong and timeless.

The Treasury Secretary chose GW-01. The Mint's design notes describe 19 candidate portraits; the CCAC's portfolio shows the line art.

What the law required

Public Law 116-330 says the youth sports quarters must keep a likeness of George Washington, designed to distinguish it from the obverse used in the previous quarter program, the American Women Quarters. That portrait was Laura Gardin Fraser's design from 1931, so the 2027 coins needed a new Washington, reviewed once for all four years.

Washington on the quarter

Washington appeared on every quarter from 1932 through 2025, starting with John Flanagan's portrait for the 200th anniversary of his birth. A modified version of Flanagan's design carried the 50 State Quarters and the America the Beautiful Quarters, and the original returned for the 2021 Washington Crossing the Delaware quarter. For 2022 to 2025 the American Women Quarters used Laura Gardin Fraser's right-facing portrait. In 2026 the Revolutionary War quarter carried a Washington likeness by Chief Engraver Joseph Menna, while the other 2026 designs had their own obverses. GW-01 is the next in that line, and it will be on every quarter struck from 2027 through 2030.

The matching half dollar portrait

The same law gives the half dollar a new John F. Kennedy portrait for 2027 to 2030. There the Treasury Secretary went the other way and chose the Commission of Fine Arts' pick. See the 2027 Kennedy half dollar.

Frequently asked questions

Who is on the front of the Youth Sports Quarters?
George Washington, in a new portrait created for the program: design GW-01, Washington in civilian attire at a three-quarter angle. It replaces the Laura Gardin Fraser portrait used on the American Women Quarters.
Will each Youth Sports Quarter have a different front?
No. The same Washington portrait is on all 20 coins, 2027 through 2030.
Which panel's portrait was chosen?
The CCAC's. It recommended GW-01 in November 2025; the Commission of Fine Arts had preferred GW-03A, Washington in uniform.

Sources

Last verified: 31 October 2026. The 2027 designs are final, announced by the U.S. Mint on 26 October 2026. Release dates, mintages and products are added here when the Mint announces them.