The Isabella Quarter was the first US coin to feature a real woman. Issued in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus sailing to the New World, it features Queen Isabella of Spain. After Susan B. Anthony's lobbying effort it was authorized on March 3, 1893. The reverse features a women with a spindle, symbolizing what was thought of a industrious woman. While 40,000 were authorized 39,900 were mint on June 13,1893. Of these 23 were assay coins and used in destructive testing. Later 15,809 were melted leaving a net mintage of 24,088. This is the first commemorative quarter, and would be the last until the 1976 Bicentennial Quarters.

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