In 2022, the U.S. Mint did something for the first time in American numismatic history. As part of the American Women Quarters Program, it featured Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American movie star and the first Asian American ever depicted on U.S. currency. The Anna May Wong Quarter represents more than artistic tribute; it is a recognition of cultural resilience and a milestone in how the nation commemorates its trailblazers.
Who Was Anna May Wong?
Born Wong Liu Tsong in Los Angeles on January 3, 1905, Anna May Wong emerged as a pioneering force in early Hollywood. She was drawn to the screen from an early age and earned her breakout role in The Toll of the Sea (1922). She was 17 years old at the time, and it was one of the first films produced in Technicolor.
Wong’s career defied the constraints of her era. In an age where Asian American actors were routinely sidelined or cast in caricatured roles, she built an international reputation that spanned silent films, talkies, theater, and television. She starred in more than 60 films, including standouts like Shanghai Express and Daughter of Shanghai. Wong made history in 1951 as the first Asian American to headline a U.S. television series with The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong.
Despite relentless discrimination and being denied leading roles in films like The Good Earth, Wong refused to give up. She advocated for more authentic and dignified representation, laying groundwork for future generations of Asian American artists.
The Anna May Wong Quarter and the American Women Quarters Program
The American Women Quarters series spotlights the achievements of women who shaped U.S. history, including scientists, activists, performers, and pioneers across fields. Between 2022 and 2025, the Mint is issuing five new quarter designs annually, each featuring a different honoree on the reverse.
The Anna May Wong quarter was the final release for 2022 and was issued on October 24. It followed quarters honoring Maya Angelou, Dr. Sally Ride, Wilma Mankiller, and Nina Otero-Warren. Coins were struck at the Philadelphia (P) and Denver (D) Mints for circulation and at the San Francisco (S) Mint for collector editions.
Design of the Anna May Wong Quarters
Obverse Design
The obverse bears an updated portrait of George Washington by Laura Gardin Fraser. Fraser’s design was created for Washington’s 200th birthday and revived as part of the program’s emphasis on female contribution.
Reverse Design
The reverse was designed by U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program designer Emily Damstra and sculpted by John P. McGraw. It features Wong with her head resting on her hand, framed by stylized marquee lights. According to Damstra, the lights symbolize the glamor of her film career while capturing her poise and resolve.
Anna May Wong’s Filmography
Wong’s screen presence spanned decades and included over 60 titles across multiple mediums. Her most iconic roles include:
The Red Lantern – Uncredited (1919)
Bits of Life (1921)
The Toll of the Sea (1922)
The Thief of Bagdad (1924)
Peter Pan (1924)
A Trip to Chinatown (1926)
Old San Francisco (1927)
Pavement Butterfly (1929)
Piccadilly (1929)
Daughter of the Dragon (1931)
Shanghai Express (1932)
Daughter of Shanghai (1937)
Impact (1949)
The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong (1951)
Portrait in Black (1960)
Reception of the Anna May Wong Quarter
The release of the Anna May Wong Quarter was met with enthusiastic praise and public discourse. For some, the coin represented an overdue acknowledgment of Wong’s legacy. The Committee of 100, a prominent Chinese American organization, applauded the U.S. Mint for honoring Wong’s contributions.
Collecting the Anna May Wong Quarter
The U.S. Mint struck 467.7 million circulating quarters for the Anna May Wong issue. The Philadelphia Mint produced 226.8 million quarters and Denver Mints produced 240.8 million.
The San Francisco Mint issued proof coins, silver proofs, and uncirculated sets.
Anna May Wong’s legacy remains foundational. As Director Gibson stated, Wong stood for greater representation and more dimensional roles. Now, through this coin, her story continues to circulate both literally and figuratively in the hands of a nation.
