Thousands Celebrate "Land of 10,000 Lakes" Minnesota State Quarter
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA - United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore, Governor Tim Pawlenty, state celebrities and thousands of Minnesotans gathered today at the State Capitol to launch the Minnesota commemorative quarter-dollar coin, celebrating the "Land of 10,000 Lakes." The reverse design on the new quarter depicts a tree-lined lake with two people fishing, a loon on the water, and a textured outline of the State surrounding its nickname, "Land of 10,000 Lakes." The second quarter to be released in 2005, it is the 32nd coin to be issued in the United States Mint's popular 50 State Quarters Program.
"The images on your quarter beckon us to Minnesota" Director Fore told the crowd. "We see a loon gliding on a tree-lined lake as two friends fish nearby. This is the first 50 States Quarter that celebrates fishing, and many of us would like to be in that little boat, baiting our hooks, listening to the haunting call of the loon."
Joining Director Fore and Governor Pawlenty were Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau, Minnesota Secretary of State Mary E. Kiffmeyer, Minnesota Education Commissioner Alice Seagren, TV star Ron Schara, Minnesota Twins Great Kent Hrbek and Minnesota Vikings Great Ed McDaniel. Following the launch ceremony, coin collectors of all ages exchanged their dollar bills for rolls of Minnesota quarters.
The Lakeville High School Band, the Nativez Inc. drummers and the Minnesota Boys Choir provided the entertainment. Attractions for school children included history, science, math, and reading-oriented learning activities and a play about the importance of saving money. On the eve of the Minnesota quarter launch ceremony, Director Fore hosted a Coin Collectors Forum to discuss what the American people would like to see in their coinage.
In selecting the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" design, Governor Pawlenty chose the design recommended to him by the Minnesota State Quarter Dollar Commission. Other designs considered were the "State with Symbols," including a snowflake, loon and plow; "Mississippi River Headwaters;" and the "Fisherman/Lake Recreation" theme.