Queen Isabella of Spain Was the First Woman Depicted on a US Coin

Her marriage to Ferdinand II of Aragon in 1469 united the two powerful kingdoms of Castile and Aragon, laying the groundwork for the eventual unification of Spain. As queen, Isabella was a strong and decisive leader, overseeing significant political, economic, and cultural changes, including the completion of the Reconquista with the conquest of Granada in 1492, the final defeat of Muslim rule in Spain. She is perhaps best known for her support of Christopher Columbus's voyage to the Americas, which resulted in the discovery of the New World and helped establish Spain as a dominant global empire.

In 1893, Isabella made history when she became the first woman to appear on a U.S. coin. The U.S. Treasury issued a commemorative coin, the Isabella Quarter, in honor of the 400th anniversary of Columbus's arrival in the Americas. The coin featured her portrait, marking a significant moment in both American and Spanish history. The decision to feature Isabella on the coin was largely due to her role in sponsoring Columbus's voyage, which ultimately led to the European discovery of the Americas. The Isabella Quarter, with its elegant rendering of her face, remains a symbol of her enduring legacy as a queen who shaped not only Spanish history but also had a lasting influence on the Americas and the world.

U.S. Quarter with Queen Isabella’s Image