The 50 State Quarters Program

The Delaware Quarter, released on January 4, 1999, features Caesar Rodney making his famous 80-mile ride on horseback in 1776 to cast Delaware’s tie-breaking vote in favor of signing the Declaration of Independence. 1787 refers to the year of the state’s admission into the Union.

The Pennsylvania Quarter, released on March 8, 1999, features the commonwealth statue, state outline, and state motto “Virtue, Liberty, and Independence.” The state’s founders believed in the significance of individual freedom and self-governance, as well as the necessity of moral virtue and ethical conduct, which the motto reflects. Pennsylvania was a vital player in the American Revolution, and it was the location of numerous significant events, such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the battles of Brandywine and Germantown.

The New Jersey Quarter, released on May 17, 1999, pictures Washington’s famous military maneuver during the American Revolution, crossing the Delaware River. The coin includes the caption, “Crossroads of the Revolution.” 1787 refers to the state’s admission into the Union. 

The crossing is one of the most iconic events in American history and has been depicted in numerous paintings and other works of art. It occurred on December 25, 1776, during the Revolutionary War, as General George Washington and his troops prepared for a surprise attack on the Hessian forces stationed in Trenton, New Jersey. The crossing was a daring maneuver, requiring Washington to move his entire army across the river and then march nine miles to Trenton, all while evading detection by British forces.

The Georgia Quarter, released on July 19, 1999, from the United States Mint, features a peach, a live oak, the state outline, and the motto “Wisdom, justice, and moderation.” This motto reflects the state’s dedication to embodying these values in all aspects of its government and society. Georgia is widely recognized as the Peach State due to being one of the leading producers of peaches in the country. Since the late 1800s, peaches have been a major crop in Georgia, with the state’s warm climate and fertile soil providing the ideal conditions for peach cultivation.

The Connecticut Quarter, released on October 12, 1999, features the Charter Oak, the hiding place of its charter, which established the state’s boundaries and self-rule that later became Connecticut’s constitution. The tree has since become a historical landmark, representing Connecticut’s first colonization. 1788 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Massachusetts Quarter, released on January 3, 2000, features the Minute Man statue, state outline, and the caption “The Bay State.” The statue honors the colonial soldiers known as Minute Men, who were trained to be ready at a moment’s notice during the American Revolutionary War.

The Maryland Quarter, released on March 13, 2000, features the dome of the Maryland State House, a white oak, and the caption “The Old Line State.” The nickname was given to Maryland by George Washington during the American Revolutionary War due to the many soldiers from Maryland who served in the Continental Army.

The South Carolina Quarter, released on May 22, 2000, features the state bird, the Carolina Wren, the state flower, the Yellow Jessamine, the state tree, the Cabbage Palmetto, and the state outline, with the caption “The Palmetto State.” During the American Revolutionary War, the Palmetto tree played a crucial role in the state’s fight for independence, serving as a natural barrier between soldiers and cannon fire from British troops.

The New Hampshire Quarter, released on August 7, 2000, depicts the “Old Man of the Mountain” profile and nine stars representing its status as the ninth state to form the United States. The coin’s theme is Live Free or Die/The Old Man of the Mountain. 1788 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Virginia Quarter, released on October 16, 2000, features three British ships–the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery–which carried the first English settlers to Jamestown.

Jamestown became the first British settlement where the foundations of democracy were established. The coin showcases the founding date of 1607 and the 400th anniversary of the settlement in 2007. 1788 refers to the state’s admission to the Union.

The New York Quarter, released on January 2, 2001, features the Statue of Liberty with the outline of the state in the background, along with eleven stars. These stars signify New York’s position when admitted into the Union. The coin’s theme is Gateway to Freedom. New York earned the nickname “Gateway to Freedom” because it is home to Ellis Island, a significant immigration processing station that welcomed over 12 million people to the United States. 1788 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The North Carolina Quarter, released on March 12, 2001, features the Wright Brothers’ plane as it begins its 1903  launch and 12-second flight off Kill Devil Hills. The coin’s theme is First Flight. 1789 refers to the state’s admission to the Union.

The Rhode Island Quarter, released on May 21, 2001, features a vintage racing yacht gliding through Narragansett Bay with the Pell Bridge in the background. The coin’s theme is Ocean State. 1790 refers to the state’s admission to the Union. The design pays tribute to a classic sailboat that participated in the prestigious America’s Cup sailing race, which is held in Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay, and showcases the Pell Bridge in the background.

The Vermont Quarter, released on August 6, 2001, shows maple trees with sap buckets in the foreground and Camel’s Hump Mountain in the background. The coin’s theme is Freedom and Unity. 1791 refers to the state’s admission to the Union.

The Kentucky Quarter, released on October 15, 2001, shows a thoroughbred racehorse in front of the Federal Hill mansion, the home of U.S. state senator John Rowan in 1795. The coin’s theme is My Old Kentucky Home. 1792 refers to the state’s admission to the Union.

The Tennessee Quarter, released on January 2, 2002, comprises a musical theme with its fiddle, trumpet, and guitar. The text, “Musical Heritage,” appears on a banner under the instruments acting as the coin’s theme. The state of Tennessee is renowned as the home of country music and the birthplace of bluegrass music, with Nashville as its center. 1796 refers to the state’s admission to the Union.

The Ohio Quarter, released on March 11, 2002, displays its contribution to aviation history with references to aeronautical feats against the state’s outline. The coin’s theme is Birthplace of Aviation Pioneers. The Wright Brothers constructed the first plane at their bicycle shop located in Ohio. Additionally, Ohio is the birthplace of astronaut John Glenn, who was the first American Astronaut to orbit Earth. 1803 refers to the state’s admission to the Union.

The Louisiana Quarter, released on May 20, 2002, depicts images of its state bird, the Pelican, and a trumpet with musical notes. The artistry of the coin highlights the outline of the state.  The coin’s theme is Louisiana Purchase. The Louisiana Purchase was a landmark real estate transaction in 1803 in which the United States of America acquired approximately 827,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River from France for $15 million. 1812 refers to the state’s admission to the Union.

The Indiana Quarter, released on May 20, 2002, portrays a race car and 19 stars signifying the state’s place as a member of the Union. The Indy 500 is an annual automobile race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, United States. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious automobile races in the world. The coin’s theme is Crossroads of America. 1816 refers to the state’s admission to the Union.

The Mississippi Quarter, released on October 15, 2002, features the beautiful blossoms and the leaves of the state flower, the Magnolia. The coin’s theme is The Magnolia State. 1817 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Illinois Quarter, released on January 2, 2003, features a young Abraham Lincoln against the backdrop of the state, a farm scene, and the Chicago skyline. The coin’s theme is The Land of Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. He is most well known for issuing the Emancipation Proclamation that gave slaves freedom. 1818 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Alabama Quarter, released on March 17, 2002, celebrates Helen Keller, one of America’s first advocates for people with disabilities, with her name inscribed in English and Braille. She was born in Alabama and became deaf and blind as a result of an illness when she was only 19 months old. She learned to communicate, and went on to attend college and become a renowned author, writing several books and essays about her experiences. An Alabama long-leaf pine branch and magnolias decorate the coin’s sides. The coin’s theme is Spirit of Courage. 1819 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Maine Quarter, released on June 2, 2003, focuses on the state’s historic Pemaquid Point Lighthouse at the tip of Pemaquid Neck. The lighthouse sits atop a granite coast, guiding a schooner to safety. The Pemaquid Point Lighthouse played an important role in maritime navigation in the 19th and early 20th centuries, helping to guide ships safely through the rocky waters of the Maine coast. 1820 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Missouri Quarter, released on August 4, 2003, pays tribute to the famed explorers, Lewis and Clark, navigating the Missouri River with the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Gateway Arch in the background, symbolizing the starting point of their expedition. The coin’s theme is Corps of Discovery. 1821 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Arkansas Quarter, released on October 20, 2003, shows a diamond, rice stalks, and a mallard flying above a lake. The coin’s theme is Natural State. A diamond is featured to show that the state is one of the few where diamonds are naturally found. 1836 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Michigan Quarter, released on January 26, 2004, depicts the state’s outline and the influence of the extensive freshwater system comprising the Great Lakes of Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. The coin’s theme is Great Lakes State. 1837 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Florida Quarter, released on March 29, 2004, depicts three varied images–a 16th-century Spanish galleon, a space shuttle, and a strip of land with Sabal palm trees. The coin’s theme is Gateway to Discovery. From the arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century to space exploration programs, Florida has been at the forefront of many major discoveries and explorations throughout history. 1845 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Texas Quarter, released on June 1, 2004, features the outline of the state and a star paying tribute to Texas’ history as an independent republic. A lariat, cattle, and cowboys also appear in the design. Texas is called the “Lone Star State” because of the distinctive lone star that appears on its flag. 1845 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Iowa Quarter, released on August 30, 2004, features a one-room schoolhouse with a teacher and children planting a tree that mimics Iowa artist Grant Wood’s painting entitled Arbor Day. The coin’s theme is Foundation in Education. 1846 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Wisconsin Quarter, released on October 25, 2004, embodies agricultural-related items such as a cow, a round of cheese, and an ear of corn. The coin’s theme is Forward. 1848 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The California Quarter, released on January 31, 2005, recognizes naturalist and conservationist John Muir admiring Yosemite Valley’s monolithic granite headwall as a California condor soars overhead. John Muir is best known for his work in promoting the conservation of natural resources and the establishment of national parks in the United States. He was instrumental in the establishment of several national parks, including Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. 1850 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Minnesota Quarter, released on April 4, 2005, includes in its design the outline of the state, an image of a tree-lined lake with two people fishing, and a loon on the water.  The coin’s theme is Land of 10,000 Lakes.1858 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Oregon Quarter, released on June 6, 2005, shows the state’s Crater Lake from its south-southwest rim to include Wizard Island and Watchman and Hillman Peaks. The coin’s theme is Crater Lake. 1859 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Kansas Quarter, released on August 29, 2005, features a bison complemented by the state’s flower, called Wild Sunflower. Prior to the arrival of Europeans in North America, bison roamed the Great Plains in large numbers, providing a vital resource for Native American tribes. 1861 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The West Virginia Quarter, released on October 14, 2005, pictures the New River and the New River Gorge Bridge, listed in the National Register of Historic Places and nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. 1863 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Nevada Quarter, released on January 31, 2006, characterizes a trio of associated state images such as wild mustangs, snow-capped mountains, and the sun. The coin’s theme is Silver State. Nevada is known as the Silver State because of the significant silver deposits that were discovered there during the mid-1800s. The discovery of silver in Nevada was a major catalyst for the state’s development and growth, as miners and prospectors flocked to the area in search of riches. 1864 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Nebraska Quarter, released on April 3, 2006, features an ox-drawn covered wagon steered by pioneers with Chimney Rock in the background. The coin’s theme is Chimney Rock. Chimney Rock was an important landmark for Native American tribes who used it as a reference point for hunting, trading, and other activities. It was also a significant landmark for pioneers and settlers who were traveling westward during the mid-1800s. 1867 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Colorado Quarter, released on June 14, 2006, places evergreen trees against the backdrop of the majestic Rocky Mountains. The coin’s theme is Colorful Colorado. 1875 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The North Dakota Quarter, released on August 28, 2006, shows a pair of American Bison grazing at sunset amid the buttes and canyons of the state’s badlands region. The Badlands were named by early French explorers who referred to the region as “les mauvaises terres à traverser,” which translates to “the bad lands to cross.” The name was likely inspired by the region’s rugged terrain, which made it difficult to navigate and traverse. 1889 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The South Dakota Quarter, released on November 6, 2006, displays a Chinese ring-necked pheasant, the state bird, flying over the presidential figures of Mount Rushmore–George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Heads of wheat border these features. The coin’s theme is Mount Rushmore and Pheasant. 1889 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Montana Quarter, released on January 29, 2007, displays a bison’s skull hovering over the grandeur of Montana’s Rocky Mountain range and its great plains. The coin’s theme is Big Sky. 1889 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Washington Quarter, released on April 2, 2007, displays a salmon breaching the water with the impressive Mount Rainier in the background. Mount Rainier is an active stratovolcano and the highest mountain in the Cascade Range. 

The coin’s theme is The Evergreen State. Washington state is known as the evergreen state due to its abundant evergreen forests. The state has a temperate climate, with plenty of rainfall, which is ideal for the growth of evergreen trees. 1889 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Idaho Quarter, released on June 4, 2007, depicts a Peregrine falcon, the state bird, hovering over the state’s outline. The coin’s theme is Esto Perpetua translating as a wish for the state, “may she live forever.” 1890 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Wyoming Quarter, released in September 2007, shows a cowboy atop a bucking horse. The theme of this coin is “the Equality State,” embracing the fact that Wyoming was the first state to grant women the right to vote. In 1869, the Wyoming Territory passed a law granting women the right to vote and hold public office, more than 20 years before the 19th Amendment was ratified. 1890 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Utah Quarter, released on November 5, 2007, captures the historic event in American history—the joining of the Central and Union Pacific railroads—with a golden spike overhead two locomotives. The coin’s theme is Crossroads of the West. 1896 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Oklahoma Quarter, released on January 28, 2008, displays the Scissor Tailed Flycatcher with its distinctive tail feathers, the state bird, soaring over Indian Blankets, the state flower, and a field of other wildflowers.

The state bird is the Scissor Tailed Flycatcher because it is commonly spotted in the state during the summer as it migrates to produce offspring. The bird is a symbol of the resilience and adaptability of Oklahoma which has weathered droughts, flooding, and other natural disasters. 1907 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The New Mexico Quarter, released on April 7, 2008, features the Zia sun. This Zia indigenous tribe symbol incorporates numerous “fours”: the four cardinal directions; the four seasons; the four periods of the day; and the four periods of life. The coin’s theme is Land of Enchantment. 1912 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Arizona Quarter, released on June 2, 2008, shows the Grand Canyon in the background and a Saguaro cactus in the foreground. A banner displaying the state’s nickname, The Grand Canyon state, separates the two images, purposefully signifying that the cactus does not grow in the Grand Canyon. 1912 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.

The Alaska Quarter, released on August 25, 2008, captures a grizzly bear feeding off a salmon. The single star over the grizzly’s shoulder represents the North Star or Polaris. The coin’s theme is The Great Land.  Alaska’s motto reflects the immense size and natural beauty of the state. Alaska is the largest state in the United States, with an area of over 663,000 square miles. The phrase of the great land was first used by the U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward in when he negotiated the purchase of Alaska from Russia. 1959 refers to the state’s admission into the Union.