State-Quarter.com

WASHINGTON — The United States Mint announced today that commemorative quarter-dollar coins honoring Wisconsin, the fifth coin in the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters® Program to be released in 2004, will go on sale beginning October 25, 2004, at 12:00 noon (ET), and will be available for purchase during the 10-week release period. The Wisconsin quarter-dollars are available in two-roll sets (40 coins per roll), including one roll each from the United States Mint facilities at Philadelphia and Denver, and in bags of 100 and 1,000 coins.

On May 29, 1848, Wisconsin became the 30th state to be admitted into the Union. The Wisconsin design depicts an agricultural theme, featuring a dairy cow, a round of cheese, and an ear of corn. The design also bears an inscription of the State motto, “Forward.” Wisconsin adopted the State motto, “Forward,” in 1851, reflecting the State’s continuous drive to be a national leader. Wisconsin produces more than 15 percent of the Nation’s milk and more than 350 varieties of cheese. Wisconsin is also a major corn producer. State corn production contributed $882.4 million to the Wisconsin economy in 2003.

Each coin roll in the two-roll set 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, “WI” designating the State of Wisconsin, and “$10” representing its dollar value. Two-roll sets will sell for $32.00, bags of 100 coins for $35.50, and bags of 1,000 coins for $300.00. Each bag is marked with the mint of origin and the dollar value of its contents ($25.00 or $250.00). These two-roll sets and bags feature quarters used in regular transactions and are struck on our main production floors at the United States Mint facilities at Philadelphia and Denver. There is no order limit on these products.

Customers can purchase the Wisconsin quarter-dollars in two-roll sets and bags 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 two-roll sets and bags, are charged and shipped to the customer automatically as each new quarter is released. For more information about this ordering method, please visit www.usmint.gov. Hearing- and speech-impaired customers may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468). A shipping and handling fee of $4.95 per order will be added to all domestic orders. Quarter bags of 1,000 coins will have an additional charge of $7.95 per bag because of their weight and size.

QUARTER CELEBRATES THE STATE’S AGRICULTURAL TRADITION

WEST ALLIS, Wisconsin - United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore joined Governor Jim Doyle and First Lady Jessica Doyle in launching the Wisconsin commemorative quarter-dollar coin near Milwaukee today. The image on the new quarter-dollar celebrates the State’s pride in its agriculture.

“This new quarter proudly depicts Wisconsin as the dairy land of the Nation,” said United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore. “It is a tradition of abundance and a gift from the heartland that the citizens of your great State have provided to enrich the Nation.”

Joining the Director, Governor and First Lady as master of ceremonies at the Exposition Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis was radio personality Wayne Larrivee, the voice of the Green Bay Packers. Students from Colby Elementary School of Colby, Wisconsin, sang the national anthem, and the West Allis Central Band and dancers from Hmong, Latino, African-American and Native American groups also performed. A colorful farmer’s market, featuring Wisconsin products, completed the celebration.

Following the launch ceremony, Director Fore and Governor Doyle distributed shiny new Wisconsin quarters to children attending the ceremony, and adults were able to exchange their coins and bills for rolls of Wisconsin quarters. Peter the Mint Eagle was on hand to celebrate with the crowd.

The Wisconsin quarter is the fifth of 2004, and the 30th in the 50 State Quarters® Program. On May 29, 1848, Wisconsin became the 30th state to be admitted into the Union. The Wisconsin design depicts an agricultural theme, featuring the head a cow, a round of cheese, and an ear of corn. The design also bears an inscription of the State motto, “Forward.”

Wisconsin adopted the State motto, “Forward,” in 1851, reflecting the state’s continuous drive to be a national leader. Wisconsin produces more than 15 percent of the Nation’s milk and more than 350 varieties, types and styles of award-winning of cheeses. Wisconsin is also a major corn producer. State corn production contributed $882.4 million to the Wisconsin economy in 2003.

Lesson plans about the Wisconsin state quarter may be downloaded free from the United States Mint website at http://www.usmint.gov/kids/index.cfm?fileContents=teachers/stateQuarterDay. Teacher, parents and students can also explore the many other teaching aids and the games, puzzles, and stories for kids that show how coins are “history in your pocket.”

The Wisconsin quarter-dollar is available in two-roll sets (40 coins per roll), including one roll each from the United States Mint at Philadelphia and Denver, and in bags of 100 and 1,000 coins, at the United States Mint website at www.usmint.gov. The two-roll sets are $32.00, bags of 100 coins are $35.50, and bags of 1,000 coins $300.00.

What: United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore will join Governor and Mrs. Jim Doyle to officially launch the Wisconsin state quarter near Milwaukee on Monday, October 25, 2004. Director Fore will be available for phone interviews this week. She will also participate in a “Coin Collectors Forum” Sunday night at the Hefter Conference Center – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, in which coin enthusiasts are invited to share their ideas about future United States Mint products.

A farmers market featuring state products will highlight the ceremonial release of the new quarter, which honors Wisconsin’s proud agricultural tradition. The distinctive quarter design reflects the fact that Wisconsin is known as America’s dairy land and is renowned for its cheeses. Wisconsin is also one of the top five producers of corn for grain in the country.

Children will receive shiny new Wisconsin quarters at the launch and adults may exchange their coins and bills for rolls of Wisconsin quarters. The Wisconsin quarter is the fifth of 2004, and the 30th quarter of the United States Mint’s popular 50 State Quarters® Program.

Who: Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and First Lady Jessica Doyle

Radio Personality Wayne Larrivee, voice of the Green Bay Packers

Choir from the Colby Elementary School, Colby, Wisconsin

Dance performances by Hmong, Latino, African-American and Native American groups.

When: Monday, October 25, 2004

8: 30 a.m. – Gates open; farmers Market opens.

9:30 a.m. – Pre-program begins

10:00 a.m. – Launch Ceremony

11:00 a.m. – Director Fore and Governor will hand out quarters to children; quarter exchange for adults begins

Where: Exposition Center, Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, Wisconsin

Note: Interviews may be scheduled this week by calling the United States Mint at 202-354-7222.

Coin Collectors Forum: Sunday, October 24, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hefter Conference Center near Lake Drive and Hartford Ave. – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3271 N. Lake Drive, Milwaukee. Street parking only. Public and news media welcome.

For a digital image of the Wisconsin quarter, go to: http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=photo#SQ2004