Tuesday, November 27, 2007
2008 50 State Quarters Coin Designs
U.S. Mint Rolls Out the 2008 50 State Quarters Coin Designs
WASHINGTON - The United States Mint is announcing today the designs for the five new 2008 commemorative quarter-dollars in the 50 State Quarters Program. The new quarters-honoring Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii-signal the end of the most popular coin program in the history of U.S. coinage.
The first commemorative quarter of 2008 honors Oklahoma. It is the 46th coin released in the 50 State Quarters Program. Oklahoma, nicknamed the "Sooner State," became the 46th state admitted into the Union on November 16, 1907. Designed by Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Sculptor Phebe Hemphill, the reverse of the coin features Oklahoma's State bird, the Scissortail Flycatcher, in flight with its distinctive tail feathers spread. The bird is soaring above the State wildflower, the Indian Blanket, amid a field of similar wildflowers. The coin's design also bears the inscriptions "Oklahoma" and "1907."
The second commemorative quarter of 2008 honors New Mexico. It is the 47th coin released in the 50 State Quarters Program. Nicknamed the "Land of Enchantment," New Mexico was admitted into the Union on January 6, 1912, becoming the 47th state. Designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart, the reverse of the New Mexico quarter features the Zia sun symbol. The symbol is superimposed over a topographical outline of the State. The coin's design also bears the inscriptions "Land of Enchantment," "New Mexico" and "1912."
The third commemorative quarter of 2008 honors Arizona. It is the 48th coin in the 50 State Quarters Program. Arizona, nicknamed the "Grand Canyon State," was admitted into the Union on February 14, 1912, becoming the Nation's 48th state and the last in the continental United States. The Arizona quarter was designed by AIP Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Sculptor Joseph Menna. The reverse of the coin features a detailed image of the Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, with Arizona's State flower, the Saguaro Cactus, in the foreground. Inscribed on the coin is a banner reading "Grand Canyon State." The coin's design also bears the inscriptions "Arizona" and "1912."
The fourth commemorative quarter of 2008 honors Alaska. It is the 49th coin in the 50 State Quarters Program. Alaska was admitted into the Union on January 3, 1959, becoming the 49th state. Designed by AIP Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles Vickers, the reverse of the Alaska quarter features a grizzly bear emerging from the water clutching a salmon in its jaw. The coin's design includes the North Star displayed above the inscription "The Great Land." The coin's design also bears the inscriptions "Alaska" and "1959."
The fifth and final commemorative quarter in the 50 State Quarters Program honors Hawaii. Nicknamed the "The Aloha State," Hawaii became the 50th state admitted into the Union on August 21, 1959. Designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart, the Hawaii quarter features King Kamehameha I stretching his hand toward the eight major islands of Hawaii. The coin also bears Hawaii's state motto "UA MAU KE EA O KA ‘AINA I KA PONO," ("The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness"), "Hawaii" and "1959."
WASHINGTON - The United States Mint is announcing today the designs for the five new 2008 commemorative quarter-dollars in the 50 State Quarters Program. The new quarters-honoring Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii-signal the end of the most popular coin program in the history of U.S. coinage.
The first commemorative quarter of 2008 honors Oklahoma. It is the 46th coin released in the 50 State Quarters Program. Oklahoma, nicknamed the "Sooner State," became the 46th state admitted into the Union on November 16, 1907. Designed by Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Sculptor Phebe Hemphill, the reverse of the coin features Oklahoma's State bird, the Scissortail Flycatcher, in flight with its distinctive tail feathers spread. The bird is soaring above the State wildflower, the Indian Blanket, amid a field of similar wildflowers. The coin's design also bears the inscriptions "Oklahoma" and "1907."
The second commemorative quarter of 2008 honors New Mexico. It is the 47th coin released in the 50 State Quarters Program. Nicknamed the "Land of Enchantment," New Mexico was admitted into the Union on January 6, 1912, becoming the 47th state. Designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart, the reverse of the New Mexico quarter features the Zia sun symbol. The symbol is superimposed over a topographical outline of the State. The coin's design also bears the inscriptions "Land of Enchantment," "New Mexico" and "1912."
The third commemorative quarter of 2008 honors Arizona. It is the 48th coin in the 50 State Quarters Program. Arizona, nicknamed the "Grand Canyon State," was admitted into the Union on February 14, 1912, becoming the Nation's 48th state and the last in the continental United States. The Arizona quarter was designed by AIP Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Sculptor Joseph Menna. The reverse of the coin features a detailed image of the Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, with Arizona's State flower, the Saguaro Cactus, in the foreground. Inscribed on the coin is a banner reading "Grand Canyon State." The coin's design also bears the inscriptions "Arizona" and "1912."
The fourth commemorative quarter of 2008 honors Alaska. It is the 49th coin in the 50 State Quarters Program. Alaska was admitted into the Union on January 3, 1959, becoming the 49th state. Designed by AIP Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles Vickers, the reverse of the Alaska quarter features a grizzly bear emerging from the water clutching a salmon in its jaw. The coin's design includes the North Star displayed above the inscription "The Great Land." The coin's design also bears the inscriptions "Alaska" and "1959."
The fifth and final commemorative quarter in the 50 State Quarters Program honors Hawaii. Nicknamed the "The Aloha State," Hawaii became the 50th state admitted into the Union on August 21, 1959. Designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart, the Hawaii quarter features King Kamehameha I stretching his hand toward the eight major islands of Hawaii. The coin also bears Hawaii's state motto "UA MAU KE EA O KA ‘AINA I KA PONO," ("The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness"), "Hawaii" and "1959."
Labels: State-Quarters
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Madison Presidential Dollar Coin
James Madison Forth Coin in The Presidential Dollar Series.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Nation may exchange dollar bills next Thursday, November 15 at banks and financial institutions for shiny new Presidential $1 Coins honoring James Madison. President Madison was the fourth U.S. President, and this will be the Nation's fourth Presidential $1 Coin.
Known as the Father of the Constitution, Madison was renowned for his acumen, and he was the Constitution's leading advocate for 50 years. Madison wrote in 1829, "The happy union of these States is a wonder: their Constitution a miracle: their example the hope of Liberty throughout the World."
"James Madison was a brilliant President, and his contributions to our young country should not be underestimated," said United States Mint Director Ed Moy. "As Americans spend these new James Madison $1 Coins, I hope they'll think about the man who fought so hard for the document that is the foundation of our law and democracy."
The design of the James Madison $1 Coin, like all of the Presidential $1 Coins, was created to be bold and dramatic. Edge-lettering also draws attention to the inscriptions "E Pluribus Unum" and "In God We Trust," as well as the date and the mint mark, distinguishing Presidential $1 Coins from all other coins in circulation today.
The obverse (heads side) of the James Madison $1 Coin was designed by Joel Iskowitz, a United States Mint Artistic Infusion Master Designer from Woodstock, NY and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart. The reverse (tails side) on all the Presidential $1 Coins is a magnificent image of the Statue of Liberty, designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Nation may exchange dollar bills next Thursday, November 15 at banks and financial institutions for shiny new Presidential $1 Coins honoring James Madison. President Madison was the fourth U.S. President, and this will be the Nation's fourth Presidential $1 Coin.
Known as the Father of the Constitution, Madison was renowned for his acumen, and he was the Constitution's leading advocate for 50 years. Madison wrote in 1829, "The happy union of these States is a wonder: their Constitution a miracle: their example the hope of Liberty throughout the World."
"James Madison was a brilliant President, and his contributions to our young country should not be underestimated," said United States Mint Director Ed Moy. "As Americans spend these new James Madison $1 Coins, I hope they'll think about the man who fought so hard for the document that is the foundation of our law and democracy."
The design of the James Madison $1 Coin, like all of the Presidential $1 Coins, was created to be bold and dramatic. Edge-lettering also draws attention to the inscriptions "E Pluribus Unum" and "In God We Trust," as well as the date and the mint mark, distinguishing Presidential $1 Coins from all other coins in circulation today.
The obverse (heads side) of the James Madison $1 Coin was designed by Joel Iskowitz, a United States Mint Artistic Infusion Master Designer from Woodstock, NY and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart. The reverse (tails side) on all the Presidential $1 Coins is a magnificent image of the Statue of Liberty, designed and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart.
Labels: Presidential-Dollars
Friday, November 9, 2007
Utah State Quarter
Utah Quarter Spikes Interest in Joining of the Rails
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - United States Mint Senior Official Gloria C. Eskridge, Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. and First Lady Mary Kaye Huntsman launched the Utah commemorative quarter-dollar today, while the Bonneville Elementary School 4th grade class serenaded the audience at Rio Grande Depot with "Iron Wheels a Rollin'--the Golden Spike Song." The Utah launch ceremony honored the 45th coin in the United States Mint's popular 50 State Quarters Program.
The reverse of the Utah quarter features two locomotives moving toward the golden spike that joined the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads on May 10, 1869, at Promontory, Utah, linking East and West regions of the United States. "Utah's quarter design perfectly embodies that historic day when our Nation, separated by a vast continent, was transformed into one country by the transcontinental railroad," said Mrs.Eskridge, the United States Mint's Associate Director for Sales and Marketing.
The coin also bears the inscriptions "Crossroads of the West," "Utah," and "1896," the year Utah was admitted into the Union.
Following the launch ceremony, members of the Golden Spike Park Rangers and Girl Scouts helped Mrs. Eskridge and Governor Huntsman hand out newly minted quarters to children in the crowd. On the eve of the launch, the United States Mint hosted a Coin Collectors Forum at the Discovery Gateway Museum in Salt Lake City, where attendees expressed their ideas on coin programs and coin design.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - United States Mint Senior Official Gloria C. Eskridge, Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. and First Lady Mary Kaye Huntsman launched the Utah commemorative quarter-dollar today, while the Bonneville Elementary School 4th grade class serenaded the audience at Rio Grande Depot with "Iron Wheels a Rollin'--the Golden Spike Song." The Utah launch ceremony honored the 45th coin in the United States Mint's popular 50 State Quarters Program.
The reverse of the Utah quarter features two locomotives moving toward the golden spike that joined the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads on May 10, 1869, at Promontory, Utah, linking East and West regions of the United States. "Utah's quarter design perfectly embodies that historic day when our Nation, separated by a vast continent, was transformed into one country by the transcontinental railroad," said Mrs.Eskridge, the United States Mint's Associate Director for Sales and Marketing.
The coin also bears the inscriptions "Crossroads of the West," "Utah," and "1896," the year Utah was admitted into the Union.
Following the launch ceremony, members of the Golden Spike Park Rangers and Girl Scouts helped Mrs. Eskridge and Governor Huntsman hand out newly minted quarters to children in the crowd. On the eve of the launch, the United States Mint hosted a Coin Collectors Forum at the Discovery Gateway Museum in Salt Lake City, where attendees expressed their ideas on coin programs and coin design.
Labels: State-Quarters
