The United States quarter wasn’t even the first denomination of coin made in our nation when, in 1793, the U.S. Mint began making coins for mass production… that distinction goes to the half-cent and one-cent coins. However, when the first U.S. quarters were made in 1796, they quickly became an integral part of the national monetary system.
https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/united_states_quarters/
-- The U.S. 1999-2008 Statehood quarter series was the longest single-theme commemorative series in U.S. minting history to that point. -- Each unique design honors the history and traditions of the state it represents. The series follows the states' admissions to the Union, from Delaware to Hawaii. -- When the hugely popular series ended in 2008 the U.S. Mint extending the series with the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters Program.
http://www.iccoin.com/departments.asp?dept=20
The Mint Act of April 2, 1792, established a Mint at Philadelphia--the nation's capital at the time--mandated a decimal coinage system. The Act was largely the vision of Alexander Hamilton, first Secretary of the Treasury, based on his Report on the Establishment of a Mint presented to the House of Representatives on Jan. 28, 1791.
http://coinauctionshelp.com/Half_Disme_First_U.S._Coin_Minted.html
Let's have a look at how coins in the United States evolved over the last few centuries. Beginning of Coins in the U.S. In 1792, American Congress passed the country's first coinage act. This meant that the United States Mint was officially responsible for creating coins for public use. Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were two of the men who contributed research and ideas towards the early versions of the coins.
https://www.mint.com/guide-to-the-history-of-us-coinage
Finally, on April 2, 1792, Congress approved an Act requiring coins to be minted bearing the words United States of America and an impression emblematic of liberty, with an inscription of the word Liberty, and the year of the coinage.... This was the first major step in establishing our national coinage system.
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-first-US-mint.html
On the obverse of these first U.S. quarters is a profile of the bust of Miss Liberty. The reverse of the first quarter shows a small eagle standing inside a wreath. Quarters weren’t minted from 1797 through 1803. When quarter production was resumed in 1804, the eagle on the reverse was larger and heraldic in design.
https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/united_states_quarters/
On December 7, 1787, Delaware, became the first state to ratify the United States Constitution. Before that, it was the only colony to be claimed by Sweden, Holland and England. And before that, there is some evidence that Egyptian explorers found their way to the state.
http://www.netstate.com/states/intro/de_intro.htm
Some numismatists consider the 1792 Half Disme the first coin minted by the United States, but others claim the coin was only a pattern issue or proposed coinage. However, there's written history that the coin was intended to be US Coinage, and some specimens show circulation from being spent.
http://coinauctionshelp.com/Half_Disme_First_U.S._Coin_Minted.html
Of course, there were many patterns struck during this era including a 1794 Half Disme, with a different metal content, but it's obvious to this writer that the 1792 half dime was the first coin minted by the United States Government for circulation.
http://coinauctionshelp.com/Half_Disme_First_U.S._Coin_Minted.html
Delaware was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution in 1787. There is only one First State and Delaware is it. The First State became the official State nickname on May 23, 2002 following a request by Mrs. Anabelle O'Malley's First Grade Class at Mt. Pleasant Elementary School.
http://www.netstate.com/states/intro/de_intro.htm
when was the first united states quarter minted?
The first United States quarter minted was in 1796. The first United States quarter was minted in 1796.