The US 1961 Quarter, designed by John Flanagan, featured George Washington to honor his 200th birthday. Struck in 90% silver, the coin reflected post-WWII prosperity. As Cold War tensions rose, including the Bay of Pigs planning, the US 1961 Quarter symbolized national unity through familiar imagery and precious metal value.
Economically, rising silver prices in the early 1960s foreshadowed the metal’s removal from circulation coins. The US 1961 Quarter, one of the last in silver, marked this turning point. Flanagan’s enduring Washington design reinforced tradition as America approached change, giving the 1961 Quarter lasting historical and economic significance.