By Simone McKay, Staff Writer
On June 2, 2025, the United States Mint commenced shipping the latest coin in the American Women Quarters Program, celebrating the groundbreaking contributions of astronomer Dr. Vera Rubin. This release marks the third coin in the 2025 series, produced at the Mint’s facilities in Philadelphia and Denver, and will be available in general circulation.
Dr. Vera Rubin’s pioneering work in astrophysics, particularly her research on galaxy rotation, provided the first persuasive evidence of dark matter—a discovery that has profoundly transformed our understanding of the universe. Her observations revealed that galaxies rotate at speeds that cannot be explained by visible matter alone, suggesting the presence of unseen mass, now known as dark matter, which is believed to make up more than 80% of the universe’s mass.
“The third coin of the American Women Quarters Program for 2025 celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Vera Rubin,” stated Kristie McNally, the Mint’s Acting Director. “Dr. Rubin gathered crucial data to support the existence of the unseen material that binds entire galaxies together.”
The reverse (tails) design of the quarter features a profile of Dr. Vera Rubin gazing upward, smiling as she contemplates the cosmos. She is surrounded by a spiral galaxy and other celestial bodies, with inscriptions including “DR. VERA RUBIN,” “QUARTER DOLLAR,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” and “DARK MATTER.”
The design was created by Artistic Infusion Program Designer Christina Hess and sculpted by Mint Medallic Artist John P. McGraw. Hess expressed, “Dr. Rubin’s story exemplifies strength, dedication, and determination, and it was a great honor to illustrate her portrait and legacy.”
In addition to general circulation, the U.S. Mint offers collectors the opportunity to purchase rolls and bags of the Dr. Vera Rubin quarters. These products became available for purchase on June 3, 2025, and include:
- 100-coin bags from the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, each priced at $47.25.
- Two-roll sets containing a total of 80 quarters from Philadelphia and Denver, priced at $42.00.
- Three-roll sets containing 120 quarters from Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco, priced at $63.00.
To ensure fair access, orders for the 100-coin bags are limited to 10 per household for the first 24 hours of sales. Orders for the two-roll and three-roll sets are limited to three per household during the same period.
Authorized by Public Law 116-330, the American Women Quarters Program is a four-year initiative (2022–2025) that celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of American women across various fields. Each year, the program features five new quarters, each depicting a different honoree on the reverse side.
The 2025 honorees include:
- Ida B. Wells: Investigative journalist and civil rights activist.
- Juliette Gordon Low: Founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA.
- Dr. Vera Rubin: Pioneering astronomer known for her work on galaxy rotation and dark matter.
- Stacey Park Milbern: Disability rights advocate.
- Althea Gibson: Trailblazing athlete who broke racial barriers in tennis and golf.
The obverse (heads) design of each coin in the series features a portrait of George Washington, originally sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser in 1931.
Dr. Vera Rubin’s inclusion in the American Women Quarters Program not only honors her scientific achievements but also serves to inspire future generations in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Her groundbreaking work laid the foundation for modern astrophysics and continues to influence contemporary research on the universe’s composition and behavior.
For more information on the American Women Quarters Program and to purchase collectible versions of the Dr. Vera Rubin quarter, visit the United States Mint’s official website.
Michael Lee is a staff writer specializing in science and cultural heritage topics.
