Designs for 2008 State Quarters were published by
the US Mint on Nov 27, 2007. The new quarters honor the states of
Oklahoma, New Mexico,
Arizona, Alaska and
Hawaii. This marks the 10th and
final year of the most popular coin program in the history of U.S. coinage.
Starting in 1999, state quarters have been introduced in the order in which each
state earned statehood.
Topics
depicted on the 2008
State Quarters include state symbols, the splendor of nature, and history.
The
Oklahoma quarter is set to release in State Quarter collector
sets in January, 2008.
Circulation strikes go to the Federal Reserve Banks also in January. The remainder of the 2008 State Quarters will be made available to the public thereafter in ten week
intervals. As soon as the schedule is announced, release dates will be posted on our
State Quarter Schedule page.
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Oklahoma
The first commemorative quarter of 2008 honors Oklahoma. It is the 46th coin
released in the 50 State Quarters Program. Oklahoma, nicknamed the "Sooner
State," became the 46th state admitted into the Union on November 16, 1907.
Designed by Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Susan Gamble and
sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Sculptor Phebe Hemphill, the reverse
of the coin features Oklahoma's State bird, the Scissortail Flycatcher, in
flight with its distinctive tail feathers spread. The bird is soaring above
the State wildflower, the Indian Blanket, amid a field of similar
wildflowers.
The coin's design also bears the inscriptions "Oklahoma" and
"1907." More info
here.
United States
Mint image. |
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New Mexico
The second commemorative quarter of 2008 honors New Mexico. It is the 47th
coin released in the 50 State Quarters Program. Nicknamed the "Land of
Enchantment," New Mexico was admitted into the Union on January 6, 1912,
becoming the 47th state. Designed and sculpted by United States Mint
Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart, the reverse of the New Mexico quarter
features the Zia sun symbol. The symbol is superimposed over a topographical
outline of the State.
The coin's design also bears the inscriptions "Land of
Enchantment," "New Mexico" and "1912." More info
here.
United
States Mint image
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Arizona
The third commemorative quarter of 2008 honors Arizona. It is the 48th coin
in the 50 State Quarters Program. Arizona, nicknamed the "Grand Canyon
State," was admitted into the Union on February 14, 1912, becoming the
Nation's 48th state and the last in the continental United States. The
Arizona quarter was designed by AIP Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and
sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Sculptor Joseph Menna.
The reverse
of the coin features a detailed image of the Grand Canyon, one of the seven
natural wonders of the world, with Arizona's State flower, the Saguaro
Cactus, in the foreground. Inscribed on the coin is a banner reading "Grand
Canyon State." The coin's design also bears the inscriptions "Arizona" and
"1912." More info
here.
United
States Mint image |
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Alaska
The fourth commemorative quarter of 2008 honors Alaska. It is the 49th coin
in the 50 State Quarters Program. Alaska was admitted into the Union on
January 3, 1959, becoming the 49th state. Designed by AIP Master Designer
Susan Gamble and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles
Vickers, the reverse of the Alaska quarter features a grizzly bear emerging
from the water clutching a salmon in its jaw.
The coin's design includes the
North Star displayed above the inscription "The Great Land." The coin's
design also bears the inscriptions "Alaska" and "1959." More info
here.
United
States Mint image |
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Hawaii
The fifth and final commemorative quarter in the 50 State Quarters Program
honors Hawaii. Nicknamed the "The Aloha State," Hawaii became the 50th state
admitted into the Union on August 21, 1959. Designed and sculpted by United
States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Don Everhart, the Hawaii quarter features King
Kamehameha I stretching his hand toward the eight major islands of Hawaii.
The coin also bears Hawaii's state motto "UA MAU KE EA O KA ‘AINA I KA PONO,"
("The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness"), "Hawaii" and
"1959." More info
here.
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States Mint image |
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