US Mint to release coin honoring Tuskegee Airmen

WASHINGTON (WSFA) - The United States Mint’s final America the Beautiful Quarter will honor the Tuskegee Airmen.

The quarter, scheduled to be released Monday, will honor the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site. The Mint says that due to increased demand for circulating coins, these quarters will ship to the Federal Reserve Banks ahead of the previously planned Feb. 1 release date.

The coin’s head side depicts the 1932 portrait of George Washington by John Flanagan with the inscriptions “United States of America,” “Liberty,” “In God We Trust” and “Quarter Dollar.”

The design on the reverse side depicts a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen “suiting up to join the fight during World War II with the Moton Field control tower in the background.” “They fought two wars” is written across the top. The Mint says this references “dual battles the Tuskegee Airmen fought–fascism abroad and racial discrimination at home.”

The design was created by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program designer Chris Costello and sculpted by United States Mint medallic artist Phebe Hemphill.

“It is fitting that such a significant historic site will complete this successful coin program,” said Mint Director David J. Ryder. “The Mint is proud to honor the men and women who overcame segregation and prejudice to become one of the most highly respected fighter groups of World War II.”

The Mint launched the America the Beautiful Quarters Program in 2010. The America’s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008 called for the Mint to issue 56 quarter-dollar coins with reverse designs depicting national parks and other national sites in each state or territory and the District of Columbia.