The Washington quarter was originally issued in 1932 as a commemorative coin but continues being struck to this day. The designs have undergone some changes with the 1976 bi-centennial issue and beginning the State Quarter series in 1999 and 2010 marking the start of the America The Beautiful series. The State quarters and America The Beautiful series are a nice way for anybody to assemble a nice attractive set of coins from circulation at face value. The issues from 1932 to 1964 are 90% silver. Washington's portrait was revamped for the 50 State Quarters issues, with hair details sharpened and the bust appears a bit smaller to accommodate more lettering that normally appeared on the reverse.