Depicts a portrait of George Washington facing right, "Liberty" above, "In God We Trust" on the left and date with mint mark below on the right.

The portrait was originally composed and sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser. It was the recommended design for the 1932 quarter to mark Washington’s 200th birthday, but then-Treasury Secretary Mellon ultimately selected the left-facing John Flannigan design. Laura Gardin Fraser was one of the most prolific female sculptors of the early 20th century. She designed the Alabama Centennial Half Dollar in 1921, becoming the first woman to design a U.S. coin. The Mint used her George Washington design on a 1999 gold commemorative half eagle coin marking the 200th anniversary of Washington’s death.

George Washington (1732–1799) was the first President of the United States (1789–97), the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He presided over the convention that drafted the current United States Constitution and during his lifetime was called the "father of his country".

Depicts Zitkala-Ša in traditional Yankton Sioux dress. She is holding a book, which represents her work as an author as well as her successful activism for Native American rights. Behind her, a stylized sun represents her work on The Sun Dance Opera, while a cardinal symbolizes her name, which translates to “Red Bird.” A Yankton Sioux-inspired diamond pattern sits underneath the sun.

Zitkala-Ša, or Red Bird in Lakota (born Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, 1876-1938) was a multifaceted Yankton Dakota figure. She excelled as a writer, editor, translator, musician, educator, and political activist, grappling with the complexities of her cultural identity. Under her Anglicized name, Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, she penned insightful works detailing her struggle between the majority culture in which she was educated and the Dakota culture of her upbringing. Notably, her later books played a pioneering role in introducing traditional Native American stories to a broad English-speaking readership.

Zitkala-Ša co-founded the National Council of American Indians in 1926, advocating for Native people's citizenship rights and other long-denied civil rights. Until her passing in 1938, she served as the council's president, leaving an indelible mark as one of the most influential Native American activists of the 20th century. Collaborating with American musician William F. Hanson, Zitkala-Ša made history by writing the libretto and songs for The Sun Dance Opera (1913), recognized as the first American Indian opera. Grounded in Sioux and Ute cultural themes, this opera showcased her commitment to bringing Native American narratives to wider audiences through the expressive medium of music.

Sculptor: Renata Gordon (RG)
Designer: Don Everhart (DE)