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Seventh Design in Popular 50 State Quarters™ Program Depicts Maryland State House

IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Mint today announced that it has begun production of the seventh design in the 50 State Quarters series, and will begin shipping new Maryland quarters to Federal Reserve banks on March 13, 2000. The striking of Maryland quarters signals the end of production for Massachusetts quarters, as each design in the 50 State Quarters™ Program is produced for just 10 weeks.

“As the public looks forward to the new Maryland quarter, it is important to remember that there are now six ‘retired’ quarter designs,” said U.S. Mint Director Philip N. Diehl. “The quarter designs for Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut and Massachusetts are currently circulating in pocket change and available in collectors editions, but they are no longer being produced.”

The Maryland quarter features a reverse design depicting the Maryland State House dome in Annapolis. “As the oldest working state house in the country, our magnificent capitol building represents Maryland’s rich history and the unique role our State has played in American history,” said Governor Parris N. Glendening. “Among its many distinctions, the Maryland State House is the only state house in the country ever to have served as the nation’s capitol. The new quarter will be a lasting reminder of Maryland’s heritage and its place in American history.” On the quarter, the state house dome is surrounded by the nickname “The Old Line State” and balanced on both sides by oak leaf clusters.

Maryland quarters will begin appearing in circulation by late spring. Following the release of the Maryland quarter, state designs being produced in 2000 will honor South Carolina, New Hampshire and Virginia.

“Due to increased consumer demand for the 50 State Quarters Program coins, we will be striking more than one billion quarters to satisfy the 10-week period when Maryland is honored with a quarter design,” said Diehl. “This quantity represents more than a 50% increase over the number of quarters we produced for Delaware, the first design in the 50 State Quarters series.”

Legislation signed by the President in late 1997 authorized the Mint to honor the 50 states in the order they entered the Union or ratified the Constitution by producing five quarters each year from 1999 through 2008 with reverse designs celebrating the heritage of each state. The design process for each quarter is determined within each state by the Governor before design concepts are sent to the Mint, and then returned to the states for final selection. Approval of the final design rests with the Treasury Secretary. The well-known “Eagle” reverse quarter is scheduled to resume in 2009.

The 50 State Quarters Program coins are manufactured at both the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, which 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.

Maryland Quarter Bags Sell Out in 2 Hours,

Pushing Total Sales to 12.8 Million Coins -

Mint Announces 72-Hour Order Period for Next Quarter Bags Sale

Washington, D.C., April 14, 2000 –The U.S. Mint today announced that the record pace of sales of the Maryland quarter in bags of 100 and 1,000 coins pushed the Mint Web site to its first million-dollar hour on April 3, with total single hour sales reaching $2.7 million. Sellouts of the quarter bags, which went on sale at 9 a.m., were announced at 10 a.m. for the 100-coin bags and at 11 a.m. for the 1,000-coin bags.

“The Mint’s record $2.7 million hour exceeded all expectations of achieving a million dollar hour,” said Acting Mint Director John Mitchell. “We’re pleased to announce that the improvements in Web technology that we’ve focused on - upgrading server speed and capacity - performed as planned, and we were able to process all the orders.”

“While this drove us over the pre-announced limit of 10 million coins,” said Mitchell, “the servers allowed us to quickly process the tremendous pace and number of orders that came in during the first two hours - so we are fulfilling all those orders, up to 12.8 million coins. Furthermore, to address the extraordinary demand for the quarter bags, when the next of the 50 State Quarters, honoring South Carolina, goes on sale in bags in late May, we will accept and fulfill all orders received during this 72-hour sales period. Watch our Web site for more information.”

The Mint began online sales in April 1999, recorded its first $1 million month in May, 1999, its first $1 million week during July last year, and its first $1 million day on October 18, 1999, driven by sales of seven million Connecticut quarters in four and one-half hours. Total online sales amounted to $26.5 million for the period October 1 through December 31, 1999. The Mint is projecting online sales of more than $125 million this year, placing it among the nation’s top e-tailers.

Customers may currently order the new Golden Dollar in bags and in rolls via the U.S. Mint Web site, www.USMINT.gov. There are no limits placed on the orders, however, depending on order volumes, delivery may be delayed as much as six to eight weeks. Customers who prefer to fax their orders may download an order form from the web site and fax it to (301) 344-4150, and customers also may order by telephone by calling 1-800-USA-MINT. (Telephone and fax orders do not guarantee faster delivery times and incur an additional shipping and handling fee of $3.95.

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Mint today announced that a limited edition of 75,000 Maryland Commemorative Coin Covers featuring two Maryland quarters from the first day of mintage — February 28, 2000 — will be available through its online catalog at www.USMINT.gov. On April 17, the Mint will begin sales of the first official Commemorative Coin Cover featuring the Maryland quarter.

“We continue the 50 State Quarters Commemorative Cover series, featuring the latest quarter honoring Maryland,” said U.S. Mint Acting Director John Mitchell. “The covers are an affordable, attractive collectible, that make a perfect gift for a young collector or someone just starting a collection.”

Priced at $19.95, this official Maryland Commemorative Coin Cover includes quarters from both the Philadelphia and Denver facilities on a handsome display card with the 33-cent Flag-Over-City postage stamp. The postmark of “March 13, 2000, Annapolis, Maryland” marks the day the Maryland quarters were first released to the Federal Reserve and the public – certifying this limited edition and honoring “The Old Line State.”

The reverse design of the Maryland quarter features a depiction of the Maryland State House dome in Annapolis—the oldest working state house in the country, and the only state house to have served as the nation’s capitol. The state house is surrounded by the nickname “The Old Line State” and balanced on both sides by White Oak leaf clusters.

The Maryland quarters are the seventh coins of the 50 State Quarters Program that will honor each of the 50 states in the order they entered the union. Five state designs will be issued each year through 2008 at approximately 10-week intervals.

Customers may order the Maryland First Day Commemorative Coin Cover directly online via the U.S. Mint secure web server at www.usmint.gov and pay no additional shipping and handling charges. Customers who prefer to fax their orders may download an order form at the web site and fax it to (301) 344-4150, and customers also may order by telephone by calling 1-800-USA-MINT. Mail orders to U.S. Mint, Customer Care Center, Lanham, MD 20706-4331 Attention: Order Processing. (Telephone, fax, and mail orders incur a shipping and handling fee of $3.95 per order.) Please allow approximately 6-8 weeks for delivery.

National Coin Week is April 16-20. Celebrate by visiting the U.S. Mint’s web site at www.usmint.gov. There are a variety of activities, games, and educational offerings that are fun for everyone. See the new Golden Dollar ads, and solve the Golden Dollar interactive puzzle. Track or report on the first sightings of coins from the 50 State Quarters Program and download a free 50 State Quarters Program screensaver. Plus show your children how coins are made at the U.S. Mint’s h.i.p. pocket change, our site filled with fun and games just for kids.

Free Shipping & Handling for Online Orders on the U.S. Mint Website

Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Mint today announced that the new Maryland Quarter under the 50 State Quarters Program will be available in bags of 100 and 1,000 coins at www.USMINT.gov beginning April 3.

“The bags of 50 State Quarters have quickly become one of the Mint’s most popular products,” said Acting Mint Director John Mitchell. “The Massachusetts quarter bags sold out in only three weeks. Since demand for the new quarter honoring Maryland is expected to be just as strong, we are again making 10 million coins available for sale in bags.”

The Maryland quarter features a reverse design depicting the Maryland State House dome in Annapolis– the only state house in the country to have served as the nation’s capitol — the state nickname, “The Old Line State,” and White Oak leaf clusters.

Mint-sewn bags feature Maryland quarters struck on our main production floors in Philadelphia and Denver. Each bag is marked with the Mint of origin and the dollar value of its contents ($25 or $250). These are the same coins that are shipped to the Federal Reserve for distribution in commerce and will be shipped directly to customers in 100-coin bags for $35.50 and in 1,000-coin bags for $300.00.

Customers may order the Maryland quarters in bags directly online via the U.S. Mint secure web server at www.USMINT.gov and pay no additional shipping and handling charges. Customers who prefer to fax their orders may download an order form at the website and fax it to (301) 344-4150, and customers also may order by telephone by calling 1-800-USA-MINT. (Telephone and fax orders incur a shipping and handling fee of $3.95 per order.) No mail orders will be accepted. Maryland quarters are expected to sell out quickly so customers are encouraged to order directly online at www.USMINT.gov. Please allow approximately 6-8 weeks for delivery.

Mint Will Ship More Than One Billion To Federal Reserve Banks

ANNAPOLIS, MD. – U.S. Treasurer Mary Ellen Withrow today joined Maryland Governor Parris N. Glendening and Senator Paul S. Sarbanes at the State House for the unveiling of the newest design in the 50 State Quarters™ Program, honoring the state of Maryland. The U.S. Mint, which today began shipping the Maryland quarter to Federal Reserve banks for distribution to commercial banks and financial institutions, is scheduled to produce more than one billion of the new quarters to keep pace with public demand for the new quarters.

Joining Treasurer Withrow, Governor Glendening and Senator Sarbanes, were Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy-Townsend, Congressman Benjamin L. Cardin, U.S. Mint Associate Director of Numismatics David Pickens, Maryland State Treasurer Richard Dixon and members of the Maryland Coin Advisory Committee. Governor Glendening also invited a class of fifth graders from Cloverly Elementary School in Silver Spring to join him at the State House event. The students were honored for being among the first participants in the design process for the Maryland quarter.

“We are very proud to launch this new Maryland commemorative quarter today,” said Governor Parris N. Glendening. “The quarter, which honors our magnificent State House, will be a lasting reminder of our State’s rich heritage and its unique place in American history. Among its many distinctions, Maryland’s capitol building is the oldest working state house in the country, and the only state house to have served as the nation’s capitol. This new quarter will be cherished by generations of Marylanders to come.”

Selected by the Governor Glendening’s Coin Design Committee, the Maryland quarter design honors the site of today’s event — the historic Maryland State House dome in Annapolis. On the quarter’s reverse (tails) side, the state house dome is surrounded by the moniker “The Old Line State” and balanced on both sides by oak leaf clusters. The Maryland state house is the oldest working state house in the country, and the only state house in the country ever to have served as the nation’s capitol.

“The 50 State Quarters program is an opportunity for all Americans to become involved in the design process of the coins we use every day,” said Director of the U.S. Mint Philip N. Diehl. “Americans should start looking for Maryland quarters in circulation by late spring.”

With the shipment of Maryland quarters, the “retired” quarter designs (Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, and Massachusetts) continue to circulate in pocket change and are available in collectors’ editions, but are no longer being produced. The quarters that will be produced later this year under the 50 State Quarters™ will honor South Carolina, New Hampshire and Virginia.

“The demand and excitement over the new quarters has exceeded our expectations, and we encourage all Americans to start their collections now before we run out of these special quarters,” said U.S. Treasurer Mary Ellen Withrow.

Legislation signed by the President in late 1997 authorized the Mint to honor the 50 states in the order they entered the Union or ratified the Constitution by producing five quarters each year from 1999 through 2008 with reverse designs celebrating the heritage of each state. The design process for each quarter is determined within each state by the Governor before design concepts are sent to the Mint, and then returned to the states for final selection. Approval of the final design rests with the Treasury Secretary.

The 50 State Quarters Program coins are manufactured at both the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, which 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.

For more information on the 50 State Quarters Program and how to collect the new quarters, visit the Mint’s web site at www.usmint.gov.

Seventh Design in Popular 50 State Quarters™ Program Depicts Maryland State House

IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Mint today announced that it has begun production of the seventh design in the 50 State Quarters series, and will begin shipping new Maryland quarters to Federal Reserve banks on March 13, 2000. The striking of Maryland quarters signals the end of production for Massachusetts quarters, as each design in the 50 State Quarters™ Program is produced for just 10 weeks.

“As the public looks forward to the new Maryland quarter, it is important to remember that there are now six ‘retired’ quarter designs,” said U.S. Mint Director Philip N. Diehl. “The quarter designs for Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut and Massachusetts are currently circulating in pocket change and available in collectors editions, but they are no longer being produced.”

The Maryland quarter features a reverse design depicting the Maryland State House dome in Annapolis. “As the oldest working state house in the country, our magnificent capitol building represents Maryland’s rich history and the unique role our State has played in American history,” said Governor Parris N. Glendening. “Among its many distinctions, the Maryland State House is the only state house in the country ever to have served as the nation’s capitol. The new quarter will be a lasting reminder of Maryland’s heritage and its place in American history.” On the quarter, the state house dome is surrounded by the nickname “The Old Line State” and balanced on both sides by oak leaf clusters.

Maryland quarters will begin appearing in circulation by late spring. Following the release of the Maryland quarter, state designs being produced in 2000 will honor South Carolina, New Hampshire and Virginia.

“Due to increased consumer demand for the 50 State Quarters Program coins, we will be striking more than one billion quarters to satisfy the 10-week period when Maryland is honored with a quarter design,” said Diehl. “This quantity represents more than a 50% increase over the number of quarters we produced for Delaware, the first design in the 50 State Quarters series.”

Legislation signed by the President in late 1997 authorized the Mint to honor the 50 states in the order they entered the Union or ratified the Constitution by producing five quarters each year from 1999 through 2008 with reverse designs celebrating the heritage of each state. The design process for each quarter is determined within each state by the Governor before design concepts are sent to the Mint, and then returned to the states for final selection. Approval of the final design rests with the Treasury Secretary. The well-known “Eagle” reverse quarter is scheduled to resume in 2009.

The 50 State Quarters Program coins are manufactured at both the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, which 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.