State-Quarter.com

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint announced today that two coins, the 2002 Ohio commemorative quarter-dollar coin and the 2002 United States Military Academy (USMA) Bicentennial Commemorative Coin, won 2004 “Coin of the Year” (COTY) awards.

The Ohio commemorative quarter-dollar coin won the competition in the Most Historically Significant category, which recognizes coins that best reflect landmark achievements in areas such as science, technology and social development that occurred more that 50 years ago. The USMA Bicentennial Commemorative Coin won in the Best Crown category, which recognizes dollar-sized silver coins approximately 20 to 30 grams in weight and 33 to 42 millimeters in diameter.

“We are very proud that our coins have received this great honor,” said United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore, after the awards were announced at the American Numismatic Association Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The COTY award, sponsored by Krause Publications’ World Coin News, recognizes mints around the world for excellence in craftsmanship, practicality, and general coin appeal. COTY, the brainchild of Russell Rulau of Krause Publications, was launched in 1983 and has been presented annually since 1984. An international panel of approximately 30 professional numismatists and experts in the field gathers each year to judge coin submissions from the various mints. Entries span a two-year production period, allowing wider participation of countries that do not issue coins regularly.

The United States Mint has received COTY awards in the past for its 1982 George Washington Commemorative Silver Half-Dollar, which was cited as Coin of the Year, Most Popular, and Most Historically Significant; the 1986 Statue of Liberty $5 Gold Coin, cited as Coin of the Year and Most Popular; 2001 American Buffalo Coin Commemorative Coin, named as Most Popular; and the 2000 Leif Ericson Commemorative Coin, honored as Coin of the Year and Most Historically Significant Coin.

Click here to view a high resolution image of the Ohio commemorative quarter-dollar and the USMA Bicentennial Commemorative Coin.

‘Magnolia State’ Honored On Final State Quarter of 2002

Jackson, Miss., Oct. 22, 2002 - Governor Ronnie Musgrove today joined United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science to unveil the 20th state quarter in the 50 State Quarters® Program, honoring the Magnolia State’s famous flora. Former Mississippi Governor William Winter, State Treasurer Marshall Bennett and Darrell Beeson, President of the Mississippi Numismatic Association, also gave remarks at the event.

“More than 100 years ago, it was the children of Mississippi who selected the magnolia as their favorite flower,” said Director Fore. “Today, we celebrate the splendor of the South and the emblem of your great state on America’s coinage.”

The Mississippi quarter, the fifth and last quarter of 2002 and the 20th in the series, showcases the beauty and elegance of the state flower, combining the blossoms and leaves of two magnolias with the inscription “The Magnolia State.”

The magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), named for the French botanist Pierre Magnol, is strongly associated with the South where the flower became enormously popular after it was introduced from Asia. This association became strong enough that Mississippi adopted it as the state flower in 1952.

“This is an exciting and historic day for Mississippi. This coin showcases the beauty throughout our state and symbolizes our southern heritage,” said Governor Musgrove. “We are pleased that so many Mississippi school children and our citizens participated in today’s historical event. For years to come, Mississippians can be proud of this coin and its unique design.”

The release of the Mississippi state quarter marked the end of production of the Indiana state quarter, released in August 2002. The quarters are manufactured at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, which produce all U.S. circulating coins, and ship them to the Federal Reserve for distribution to the nation’s banks.

Launched in 1999, the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters Program is a 10-year initiative that honors each of the nation’s states in the order that they ratified the Constitution or were admitted into the Union. Each quarter is produced for about 10 weeks and will never be produced again. Surveys show that over 139 million adults are collecting the quarters.

The 50 State Quarters products, including the popular collectible proof sets featuring the five state quarters of each year, are adding to the collecting fun. These products and more information about the 50 State Quarters Program are available through the United States Mint’s website at www.usmint.gov or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT.

Created by Congress in 1792, the Mint is a manufacturing and international marketing enterprise with about 2,300 employees. In FY 2001, the United States Mint produced approximately 23.6 billion coins, fulfilling its primary mission to produce an adequate supply of circulating coinage for the nation’s commerce. For more information, please visit www.usmint.gov.

Washington, D.C., October 21, 2002 - The United States Mint today announced that the limited edition of 75,000 Mississippi Official First Day Coin Covers will be available online at www.usmint.gov beginning 12:00 noon (E.S.T.) on November 4, 2002. The Mississippi Official First Day Coin Cover, which also is available in the United States Mint’s annual catalog, features two Mississippi quarters from September 30, the first day of mintage.

Priced at $19.95, the Mississippi Official First Day Coin Cover includes quarters from both the Philadelphia and Denver Mint facilities on a handsome display card with a 37-cent United States Flag postage stamp.

The postmark of “October 15, 2002, Magnolia, MS 39652” indicates the day Mississippi quarters were released to the Federal Reserve Bank and the public. The Mississippi quarter is the 20th in the 50 State Quarters® Program, which honors each of the states in the order that it ratified the Constitution or was admitted into the Union. Five state designs will be issued each year through 2008 at approximately 10-week intervals.

The Mississippi quarter’s reverse design showcases the beauty and elegance of the state flower. It combines the blossoms and leaves of two magnolias with the inscription “The Magnolia State.”

Customers can purchase the Mississippi Official First Day Coin Covers by using the United States Mint’s secure website, www.usmint.gov, or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). As an added convenience, customers can participate in a subscription-ordering program in which specific products, such as Official First Day Coin Covers, are charged and shipped to the customer automatically as each new state quarter is released. A shipping and handling fee of $3.95 per order will be added to all orders. Hearing and speech-impaired customers may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468) (TTY). Please allow approximately 3 to 4 weeks for delivery.

Washington - The United States Mint announced today that state quarters honoring Mississippi, the fifth and last coin in the 50 State Quarters® Program to be struck for the year 2002, will go on sale beginning October 15, 2002, at 12:00 noon (E.D.T.), and will be available for purchase the entire 10-week release period. The Mississippi quarters are available in two-roll sets (40 coins per roll), including one Philadelphia and Denver Mintmark coin roll each, and in bags of 100 and 1,000 coins. The Mississippi quarters are also available as part of the United States Mint’s popular Subscription Program.

Mississippi joined the Union on December 10, 1817, becoming the 20th state. The Mississippi quarter’s reverse design showcases the beauty and elegance of the state flower, the magnolia, combining the blossoms and leaves of two magnolias with the inscription “The Magnolia State.” The magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), named for the French botanist Pierre Magnol, is strongly associated with the South, where the flower became enormously popular after it was introduced from Asia. Mississippi officially adopted the magnolia as the state tree in 1938 and state flower in 1952.

Each coin roll is wrapped in a specially designed United States Mint paper coin wrap that prominently displays the 50 State Quarters® Program logo, a “P” or “D” representing the roll’s mint of origin, “MS” designating the state of Mississippi, 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). Two-roll sets will sell for $32.00, bags of 100 coins for $35.50, and bags of 1,000 coins for $300.

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 United States Mint. There are no order limits on these products.

Customers can purchase the Mississippi bags and two roll sets by using the United States Mint’s secure website http://www.usmint.gov, or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT. As an added convenience, customers may order future 50 State Quarters bags and two roll sets online through the United States Mint’s Subscription Program. For more information about this convenient ordering method, please visit http://www.usmint.gov.

Hearing and speech-impaired customers may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468). A shipping and handling fee of $3.95 per order will be added to all domestic orders. Please allow approximately 2-3 weeks for delivery.

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint today announced that the limited edition of 75,000 Indiana Official First Day Coin Covers will be available online at www.usmint.gov beginning 12:00 noon (E.D.T.) on August 26, 2002. The Indiana Official First Day Coin Cover features two Indiana quarters from July 22, 2002, the first day of mintage.

Priced at $19.95, the Indiana Official First Day Coin Cover includes quarters from both the Philadelphia and Denver Mint facilities on a handsome display card with a 37-cent United States Flag postage stamp.

The postmark of “August 2, 2002, Speedway Station, Indianapolis, IN 46224” indicates the day Indiana quarters were released to the Federal Reserve Bank and the public. The Indiana quarter is the 19th in the 50 State Quartersâ Program that honors each of the states in the order they entered the union. Five state designs will be issued each year through 2008 at approximately 10-week intervals.

The Indiana quarter’s reverse design pays tribute to open-wheel racing made famous at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and features the image of an “Indy” car superimposed on an outline of the state with the inscription “Crossroads of America.” The design also includes 19 stars signifying Indiana as the 19th state to join the Union.

Customers can purchase the Indiana Official First Day Coin Covers by using the United States Mint’s secure website, www.usmint.gov, or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). As an added convenience, customers can participate in a subscription-ordering program in which specific products, such as Official First Day Coin Covers, are charged and shipped to the customer automatically as each new state quarter is released. A shipping and handling fee of $3.95 per order will be added to all orders. Hearing and speech-impaired customers may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468) (TTY). Please allow approximately 3 to 4 weeks for delivery.

Hoosier State Honored with New State Quarter

Indianapolis, Indiana – Governor Frank O’Bannon today joined United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to unveil the Indiana commemorative quarter-dollar coin, the 19th under the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters® Program. First Lady Judy O’Bannon and Tony George, President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, also gave remarks at the event. Racecar driver Sarah Fisher was on hand to sign autographs.

“Since the first Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1911, Indiana has become synonymous with world-class auto racing,” said Director Fore. “It is fitting that the Indiana quarter honors the Indy car, a vibrant symbol not only of America’s spirit of competition but also of its preeminence in engineering.” She added that Hoosiers should be proud of this coin and the place it now takes as the 19th state in the 50 State Quarters Program.

Governor O’Bannon selected the final design after the Indiana Commemorative Quarter Selection Committee received and reviewed over 3,700 design suggestions from across the state. The winning design recognizes the state’s famous Indianapolis 500 race. The design features the image of an “Indy” car superimposed on an outline of the state with the inscription “Crossroads of America.” The design also includes 19 stars, symbolizing Indiana as the 19th state to be admitted to the Union.

“We are very proud of this coin, and we think people around the country will instantly think of Indiana when they see it,” Governor O’Bannon said. “Our state played a significant role in the expansion and development of the United States at its crossroads, and this coin signifies that importance.”

The release of the Indiana quarter marked the end of production of the Louisiana quarter, released in May 2002. The quarters are manufactured at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, which produce all U.S. circulating coins and ship them to the Federal Reserve for distribution to the nation’s banks.

Launched in 1999, the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters Program is a 10-year initiative that honors each of the nation’s states in the order that they joined the Union. Each quarter is produced for about 10 weeks and will never be produced again. Surveys show that approximately 139 million adults are collecting the quarters.

The 50 State Quarters products, including the popular collectible proof sets, which feature the five state quarters of each year, are adding to the collecting fun. These products and more information about the 50 State Quarters Program are available through the United States Mint’s website at www.usmint.gov or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT.

Created by Congress in 1792, the United States Mint is a manufacturing and international marketing enterprise with about 2,300 employees. In FY 2001, the United States Mint produced approximately 23.6 billion coins, fulfilling its primary mission to produce an adequate supply of circulating coinage for the nation’s commerce. For more information, please visit www.usmint.gov.

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint announced today that state quarters honoring Indiana, the fourth coin in the 50 State Quarters® Program to be struck in 2002, will go on sale beginning August 2, 2002, at 12:00 noon (Eastern Time), and will be available for purchase the entire 10-week release period. The Indiana quarters are available in two-roll sets (40 coins per roll), including one Philadelphia and Denver Mint mark coin roll each, and in bags of 100 and 1,000 coins. The Indiana quarters are also available as part of the United States Mint’s popular Subscription Program.

Indiana joined the Union on December 11, 1816, becoming the 19th state. The Indiana quarter’s reverse design recognizes the state’s famous Indianapolis 500 race. The design features the image of an “Indy” car superimposed on an outline of the state with the inscription “Crossroads of America.” The design also includes 19 stars signifying Indiana as the 19th state to join the Union.

Each coin roll is wrapped in a specially designed United States. Mint paper coin wrap that prominently displays the 50 State Quarters program logo, a “P” or “D” representing the roll’s mint of origin, “IN” designating the state of Indiana, 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). Two-roll sets will sell for $32.00, bags of 100 coins for $35.50, and bags of 1,000 coins for $300. 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 from the United States Mint to customers. There are no order limits on these products.

Customers can purchase the Indiana quarters, two-roll sets and bags and Indiana quarter collectibles by using the United States Mint’s secure website, www.usmint.gov, or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). As an added convenience, customers can participate in a subscription-ordering program in which specific products, such as quarter bags and rolls, are charged and shipped to the customer automatically as each new state quarter is released. A shipping and handling fee of $3.95 per order will be added to all orders. Hearing and speech-impaired customers may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468) (TTY). Please allow approximately 2-3 weeks for delivery.

WASHINGTON - The United States Mint today announced that the 2002 United States Mint Silver Proof Set will be available by mail and phone on July 24, 2002. Sales on the United States Mint website at www.usmint.gov will also begin that day at 12:00 noon (EDT).

“The Silver Proof Set is perhaps the finest showcase of the minter’s art, capturing the best and most exciting elements of coining in one package: artistic beauty, precision craftsmanship, and the allure of precious metal,” said United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore. “This year marks the 10th anniversary of this extraordinary set, and represents a milestone in presenting the world’s finest, most elegantly presented silver proof coins to an ever-growing number of coin enthusiasts.”

The 10-Coin 2002 United States Mint Silver Proof Set is available for $31.95 and contains 90 percent silver proof versions of the five 2002 50 State Quarters®, 90 percent silver proof versions of the Roosevelt dime and Kennedy half dollar, as well as proof versions of the other circulating coins – the Lincoln cent, the Jefferson nickel and the Golden Dollar – which contain no silver. Produced at the San Francisco Mint facility, the coins bear the “S” mint mark. The sealed cases containing the coins are inserted into a specially printed sleeve and are accompanied by an official United States Mint Certificate of Authenticity.

Since demand is expected to be high for the 2002 Silver Proof Set, customers are encouraged to place orders early. The United States Mint reserves the right to limit quantities and may discontinue accepting orders at any time.

Beginning July 24, customers may purchase the 2002 United States Mint Silver Proof Set online using the United States Mint’s secure website at http://www.usmint.gov, or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Also, orders may be sent to United States Mint, P.O. Box 382601, Pittsburgh, PA 15250. A shipping and handling fee of $3.95 per order will be added to all domestic orders. Hearing and speech impaired customers may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468) (TTY). There are no household limits. Customers may order as many sets as they wish, while supplies last. Please allow approximately two to three weeks for delivery.

The Louisiana Quarter Meets the French Quarter

New Orleans, Louisiana – Governor M. J. “Mike” Foster, Jr. today joined United States Treasurer Rosario Marin and United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore at the New Orleans Mint Museum in New Orleans to unveil the Louisiana commemorative quarter-dollar coin, the 18th under the 50 State Quarters® Program. The launch ceremony featured remarks from noted Louisianians, including William Arceneaux, President of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, former pro football player and outdoor sports commentator Bert Jones, and historian Nick Spitzer.

Following the launch event, Director Fore attended a collectors’ forum at which she fielded questions from coin collectors and dealers on a number of issues of interest to the numismatic hobby.

Louisiana joined the Union on April 30, 1812, becoming the 18th state. The Louisiana quarter design incorporates the image of a brown pelican, a trumpet with musical notes, and the outline of the Louisiana Purchase territory, with the inscription “Louisiana Purchase.” Louisiana’s nickname, the “Pelican State,” honors the state bird – the brown pelican – which is indigenous to Louisiana. The trumpet and musical notes represent the birth of jazz in New Orleans. The coin’s third element, the outline of the Louisiana Purchase territory, refers to the largest single expansion of the United States, which roughly doubled the size of the country in 1803.

“Today we celebrate Louisiana’s impact on the history, heritage and culture of this great nation,” said Director Fore. “How fitting that the historic New Orleans Mint, which first struck gold coins in 1838, now plays host to Louisiana’s very own coin – the Louisiana quarter.” She added that Louisianians should be proud of this coin and the place it now takes as the 18th state in the 50 State Quarters Program.

“The launch of the Louisiana quarter is one of those moments that makes me proud of Louisiana,” said Governor Foster. “It was a long process, but one that involved the citizens of this state, by asking for their help in designing the quarter. The final design shows the best of Louisiana’s treasures; its music, its heritage of conservation and the Louisiana Purchase.”

Governor Foster established the Louisiana Commemorative Coin Advisory Commission, which solicited design concepts from all Louisiana residents, encouraging school children’s participation. The Commission’s Official Rules state that the final design must be “…easily understood by both the youth of the state of Louisiana and the youth of other states.” Of the 1,193 submissions the Commission received, a large majority came from school children. After consulting with the Commission, Governor Foster submitted five design concepts to the United States Mint, including the brown pelican, the Louisiana Purchase territory, a riverboat, and the Cabildo. U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill approved the final design.

The Louisiana quarter, officially released to the Federal Reserve Bank on May 20, marked the end of the Ohio quarter 10-week release period, which began in March 2002. The quarters are manufactured at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, which produce all U.S. circulating coins and ships them to the Federal Reserve Bank for distribution to the nation’s banks.

Launched in 1999, the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters Program is a 10-year initiative that honors each of the nation’s states in the order that they joined the Union. Each quarter is produced for about 10 weeks and will never be produced again. Surveys show that over 139 million adults are collecting the quarters.

The 50 State Quarters products, including the popular collectible proof sets featuring the five state quarters of each year, are available on our website, www.usmint.gov, and by calling 1-800-USA-MINT. Other products include spoons, key fobs, bookmarks, golf divot tools and pendants. Watches and desk clocks featuring the Louisiana state quarter will be available later this spring.

Created by Congress in 1792, the United States Mint is a manufacturing and international marketing enterprise with $2.4 billion in annual revenue and about 2,400 employees. In FY 2001, the United States Mint produced approximately 24 billion coins, fulfilling its primary mission to produce an adequate supply of circulating coinage for the nation’s commerce. For more information, please visit www.usmint.gov.

The Louisiana Quarter Meets the French Quarter

New Orleans, Louisiana – Governor M. J. “Mike” Foster, Jr. today joined United States Treasurer Rosario Marin and United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore at the New Orleans Mint Museum in New Orleans to unveil the Louisiana commemorative quarter-dollar coin, the 18th under the 50 State Quarters® Program. The launch ceremony featured remarks from noted Louisianians, including William Arceneaux, President of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, former pro football player and outdoor sports commentator Bert Jones, and historian Nick Spitzer.

Following the launch event, Director Fore attended a collectors’ forum at which she fielded questions from coin collectors and dealers on a number of issues of interest to the numismatic hobby.

Louisiana joined the Union on April 30, 1812, becoming the 18th state. The Louisiana quarter design incorporates the image of a brown pelican, a trumpet with musical notes, and the outline of the Louisiana Purchase territory, with the inscription “Louisiana Purchase.” Louisiana’s nickname, the “Pelican State,” honors the state bird – the brown pelican – which is indigenous to Louisiana. The trumpet and musical notes represent the birth of jazz in New Orleans. The coin’s third element, the outline of the Louisiana Purchase territory, refers to the largest single expansion of the United States, which roughly doubled the size of the country in 1803.

“Today we celebrate Louisiana’s impact on the history, heritage and culture of this great nation,” said Director Fore. “How fitting that the historic New Orleans Mint, which first struck gold coins in 1838, now plays host to Louisiana’s very own coin – the Louisiana quarter.” She added that Louisianians should be proud of this coin and the place it now takes as the 18th state in the 50 State Quarters Program.

“The launch of the Louisiana quarter is one of those moments that makes me proud of Louisiana,” said Governor Foster. “It was a long process, but one that involved the citizens of this state, by asking for their help in designing the quarter. The final design shows the best of Louisiana’s treasures; its music, its heritage of conservation and the Louisiana Purchase.”

Governor Foster established the Louisiana Commemorative Coin Advisory Commission, which solicited design concepts from all Louisiana residents, encouraging school children’s participation. The Commission’s Official Rules state that the final design must be “…easily understood by both the youth of the state of Louisiana and the youth of other states.” Of the 1,193 submissions the Commission received, a large majority came from school children. After consulting with the Commission, Governor Foster submitted five design concepts to the United States Mint, including the brown pelican, the Louisiana Purchase territory, a riverboat, and the Cabildo. U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill approved the final design.

The Louisiana quarter, officially released to the Federal Reserve Bank on May 20, marked the end of the Ohio quarter 10-week release period, which began in March 2002. The quarters are manufactured at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, which produce all U.S. circulating coins and ships them to the Federal Reserve Bank for distribution to the nation’s banks.

Launched in 1999, the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters Program is a 10-year initiative that honors each of the nation’s states in the order that they joined the Union. Each quarter is produced for about 10 weeks and will never be produced again. Surveys show that over 139 million adults are collecting the quarters.

The 50 State Quarters products, including the popular collectible proof sets featuring the five state quarters of each year, are available on our website, www.usmint.gov, and by calling 1-800-USA-MINT. Other products include spoons, key fobs, bookmarks, golf divot tools and pendants. Watches and desk clocks featuring the Louisiana state quarter will be available later this spring.

Created by Congress in 1792, the United States Mint is a manufacturing and international marketing enterprise with $2.4 billion in annual revenue and about 2,400 employees. In FY 2001, the United States Mint produced approximately 24 billion coins, fulfilling its primary mission to produce an adequate supply of circulating coinage for the nation’s commerce. For more information, please visit www.usmint.gov.