State-Quarter.com

Two-roll sets and bags of 100 and 1,000 coins available March 19-22, 2001

Washington, DC, March 19, 2001 – The U.S. Mint announced today that a second 72-hour ordering period for North Carolina quarters will begin today, March 19, 2001 at 12:00 noon (EST) and end Thursday, March 22, 2001, at 12:00 noon (EST). The North Carolina quarters are available in two-roll sets (40 coins per roll), including one Philadelphia and one Denver Mint Mark coin roll, and in bags of 100 and 1,000 coins.

North Carolina quarter bags and rolls were originally on sale March 12, 2001 through March 15, 2001, coinciding with the launch of the North Carolina quarter in Raleigh, North Carolina, on March 12, 2001. Due to a U.S. Mint error in the dates previously announced to our customers, we are now offering this second chance to purchase two-roll sets and bags of the newest quarters.

“We realize that many of our customers read the original sales date in the press and were waiting until this week to order their quarters,” said Mint Director Jay W. Johnson. “We want to ensure that all customers have an equal chance to participate in this sale.”

The North Carolina quarter is the seventh coin of the new millennium minted under the 50 State Quarters™ Program and twelfth overall in the program. The North Carolina quarter reverse design depicts a rendition of the famous 1903 photograph of the first flight and the inscription “First Flight.”

Each coin roll is wrapped in a specially designed U.S. Mint paper coin wrap, which prominently displays the 50 State Quarters Program logo, a “P” or “D” representing the roll’s mint of origin, “NC” designating the state of North Carolina, and “$10” representing its dollar value. Each bag is marked with the Mint of origin and the dollar value of its contents ($25 or $250). These rolls and bags, featuring quarters used in regular transactions and struck on our main production floors at the Philadelphia and Denver Mint facilities, will be shipped directly to you from the U.S. Mint. Note that there are no order limits on these products.

Customers can purchase North Carolina quarters three ways: First, they can save shipping and handling charges by using the U.S. Mint’s secure web site http://www.usmint.gov/catalog. Second, they can call 1-800-USA-MINT. Third, they may download a fax order form at the web site and fax it to (301) 918-2039. A shipping and handling fee of $3.95 per order will be added to all fax and telephone orders for these products. No mail orders will be accepted. Hearing and speech-impaired customers may order by calling (301) 344-4144 TTY. Please allow approximately 6-8 weeks for delivery.

Newest coin released under U.S. Mint 50 State QuartersTM Program honors Wright Brothers’ first flight

Raleigh, NC, March 12, 2001 – Nearly a century after the first successful flight took place in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the Wright Brothers’ famous “Flyer” takes flight once again. This time, however, the flight takes place on the newest quarter released under the United States Mint 50 State Quarters™ Program. During a special ceremony this morning, U.S. Mint Director Jay W. Johnson joins Governor Michael F. Easley to introduce the 12th coin launched under the successful program. Not surprisingly, the coin celebrates North Carolina’s significant achievement in aviation.

The coin’s design is a rendition of the famous 1903 photograph, “First Flight,” and features the “Flyer” piloted by Orville Wright as Wilbur Wright watches in the foreground. It is an apt commemoration of the Wright Brothers’ remarkable launch of the first heavier-than-air, self-propelled flying machine.

“On behalf of the State of North Carolina I want to commend the U.S. Mint for the commemorative quarters program,” said Gov. Easley. “It is an opportunity to share a bit of North Carolina history with the rest of the nation.”

“As the North Carolina quarter enters circulation, it becomes the twelfth coin in the 50 State Quarters Program to celebrate our country’s unique and diverse history,” said Mint Director Johnson. “The Wright Brothers’ “Flyer,” like the Statue of Liberty, Georgia Peach and Massachusetts Minuteman has become one of the premier symbols of national heritage to be featured on coinage.”

The celebration, taking place at the North Carolina Museum of History, coincides with the opening of a new exhibit featuring several original Wright Brothers’ artifacts. Event hosts include the Governor’s office, the U.S. Mint and the First Flight Centennial Commission.

During the ceremony, fifth grade students from North Ridge Elementary School in Raleigh were among the first to receive the new quarters from the Governor, and will later participate in a special kite fly in the Capital Corridor. Earlier in the year, the students’ teacher, Virginia Byrne, was named “Teacher of the Year,” by the First Flight Centennial Commission for incorporating aviation and North Carolina history into her curriculum and lesson plans.

The release of the North Carolina quarter marks the end of production of the New York quarter, which was released in January 2001. Each new quarter is minted for about 10 weeks, after which it is no longer produced. The new quarters are manufactured at both the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. Together, they produce all legal tender U.S. circulating coins before being shipped to the Federal Reserve for distribution through the banking system. The Federal Reserve orders new quarters to ensure an adequate supply to meet the needs of commerce as commercial banks demand. Although North Carolina quarters will first be released to the Federal Reserve on March 12, 2001, it may take several weeks or more before the new coins are distributed throughout the Federal Reserve System to commercial banks.

U.S. Mint research shows that well over 125 million Americans are collecting the 50 State Quarters. The 50 State Quarters products such as pristine proof sets, educational maps and unique jewelry are adding to the collecting fun. These products and more information about the 50 State Quarters Program are available through the U.S. Mint’s Web site at www.usmint.gov or by calling 1-800-USA MINT.

The First Flight Centennial Commission is the North Carolina agency responsible for the state’s commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first flight in 2003. Through programs in public awareness and educational outreach, as well as special events with national and international partners, the Commission is planning a yearlong, statewide celebration of North Carolina’s role in the first flight and the evolution of aviation into the 21st century. For more information, visit their Web site at www.firstflightnc.com.

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Mint announced today that North Carolina quarters will be sold online beginning Monday, March 12, 2001, at 12:00 noon (ET), and ending Thursday, March 15, 2001, at 12:00 noon (ET). The North Carolina quarters are available in two-roll sets (40 coins per roll), including one Philadelphia and one Denver Mint Mark coin roll, and in bags of 100 and 1,000 coins.

Collectors will have 72 hours to purchase two-roll sets and bags of the newest quarters. The North Carolina quarter is the seventh coin of the new millennium minted under the 50 State Quarters™ Program and twelfth overall in the program. The North Carolina quarter reverse design depicts a rendition of the famous 1903 photograph of the first flight and the inscription “First Flight.”

Each coin roll is wrapped in a specially designed U.S. Mint paper coin wrap, which prominently displays the 50 State Quarters™ Program logo, a “P” or “D” representing the roll’s mint of origin, “NC” designating the state of North Carolina, and “$10” representing its dollar value. Each bag is marked with the Mint of origin and the dollar value of its contents ($25 or $250). These rolls and bags, featuring quarters used in regular transactions and struck on our main production floors at the Philadelphia and Denver Mint facilities, will be shipped directly to you from the U.S. Mint. Note that there are no order limits on these products.

Customers can purchase North Carolina quarters three ways: First, they can save shipping and handling charges by using the U.S. Mint’s secure web site http://www.usmint.gov/catalog. Second, they can call 1-800-USA-MINT. Third, they may download a fax order form at the web site and fax it to (301) 918-2039. A shipping and handling fee of $3.95 per order will be added to all fax and telephone orders for these products. No mail orders will be accepted. Hearing and speech-impaired customers may order by calling (301) 344-4144 TTY. Please allow approximately 6-8 weeks for delivery.