Coin profile
Reported standard-issue mintage / distribution: 24,214
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1893 Isabella Quarter
The story behind this coin
The Board of Lady Managers of the World’s Columbian Exposition pressed for a coin of its own after the Columbian half dollar was authorized. The result honored Queen Isabella I and became the first U.S. coin to portray a named woman. Its unconventional denomination and limited distribution made it a distinctive companion to the exposition half dollar.
Design and symbolism
Obverse: Queen Isabella I of Spain.
Reverse: A kneeling woman with distaff and spindle.
Regular issues and mintages
| Regular issue | Mint | Net distribution / collector mintage |
|---|---|---|
| 1893 | Philadelphia | 24,214 |
The figures in this 1893 Isabella Quarter table report the regular collector issues shown for this commemorative. Where sponsors returned unsold coins for melting, the listed quantity reflects net distribution rather than the larger number initially struck.