The obverse features a left-facing portrait of George Washington, first President of the United States. The design, created by John Flanagan, includes the inscriptions LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the year 1996.

Reverse:
The reverse depicts a heraldic bald eagle with outstretched wings, holding arrows and olive branches, symbolizing strength, defense, and peace. The inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and QUARTER DOLLAR.

Specifications:

• Composition: Copper-nickel clad (75% copper, 25% nickel over a copper core)

• Weight: 5.67 g

• Diameter: 24.26 mm

• Edge: Reeded

• Alignment: Coin (180°)

• Mint mark: Philadelphia Mint (“P”)

Historical Insight:
The Washington quarter was first introduced in 1932 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s birth. By the mid-1990s, it had become one of the most widely circulated coins in the United States, shortly before being temporarily replaced by the State Quarters reverse designs.

Collecting Note:
Although common in circulation, pre-1999 Washington quarters are increasingly viewed as the final phase of a classic U.S. coin design era. Coins with documented provenance, such as storage unit finds, enhance their narrative value within modern circulation-focused collections.