On Feb. 19, the US Mint launched the Tuskegee Airmen Quarters Three-Coin Set. The set's quarters memorialize Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site of Alabama and include the final of the Mint's 56 America the Beautiful Quarters® designs.
Since 2010, the program has covered five quarters, with the fifth one this year, each showcasing a different national interest site for each state, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. Territories.
Beginning the previous week, the Mint began selling rolls and bags of Tuskegee Airmen quarters that were of circulation grade. There are collector versions of the quarters included in this last series set. Two of the quarters have an uncirculated finish, and the other quarter has a proof finish.
Each of the three is affixed to a long-lasting presentation card that features a photograph as well as a concise explanation of the location and the coins that were produced in its honor.
During World War II, the design that can be found on the back of each coin portrays a Tuskegee Airman pilot getting ready to join the war. It is possible to make out the Moton Field control tower against the background. Overhead, there are two P-51 Mustangs flying.
One of the inscriptions says, "THEY FOUGHT TWO WARS," which is a reference to the two fronts that they fought against: fascism in other countries and racial prejudice in their own country. Among the further inscriptions are the words "E Pluribus Unum," "ALABAMA," "2021," and "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN."
The reverse (heads side) depiction of George Washington appears on all coins in the series. Since 1932, the John Flanagan picture has featured on U.S. quarters with minor variations. Obverse inscriptions: "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and "QUARTER DOLLAR."
The obverses of coins also have a mintmark consisting of the letters 'P,' 'D,' or 'S', with each letter indicating that the piece was produced at the Philadelphia Mint, the Denver Mint, or the San Francisco Mint that corresponds to the appropriate letter.