New Quarter dollar Reverse design

When we are welcoming a new President to the White house, we are remembering our First President who made all of this possible. More than two centuries ago, General George Washington,led his brave men to battle with the British and the Hessian (German auxiliary) soldiers. Washington’s men crossed the Delaware river under treacherous conditions and made history by changing the outcome of the American Revolutionary War.This year once the America the beautiful quarters series ends, there will be a new reverse design for the quarter honoring Washington crossing the Delaware.

Washington crossing the Delaware

Part of “Washington Crossing the Delaware" sonnet written in 1936 by David Shulman.

After the initial successes of the American Revolutionary war, the Continental troops under General Washington suffered serious blows to their morale due to desertions and defeats. New York was lost to the British by mid-November 1776. The British stationed their Hessian soldiers in New Jersey and withdrew to their winter quarters to regroup. There were many in the American side who believed that all was lost and the war would never be won. But General George Washington, the Commander-in-Chief of the American troops refused to give up. He enlisted new men for the militia, and procured fresh supplies and blankets which the men were desperate for. Reinforcements arrived from other divisions and Washington’s men swelled to 6000.

With a bold decision to attack the enemy troops through three crossings, Washington and his men crossed the icy Delaware on 25 December 1776. By next day they marched onto an unsuspecting enemy camp and won it with minimal casualties. It was a minor battle when it was fought, but it changed the course of the war and undeniably the course of American history. Both sides of the Delaware where the crossing took place have been preserved and are called the ‘Washington Crossing’.

New Reverse design of the Quarter dollar

General George Washington changed the course of American history when he led his men against the British troops by crossing an icy Delaware River. This year when the America the Beautiful series ends, the reverse design will be changed to honor the ‘Washington crossing the Delaware’.

The new design depicts General Washington commanding his troops through the overnight crossing of the ice-choked Delaware River prior to the Battle of Trenton during the American Revolutionary War. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “CROSSING THE DELAWARE,” and “QUARTER DOLLAR.” Artistic Infusion Program Designer Benjamin Sowards created the design which was sculpted by Medallic Artist Michael Gaudioso.