Final 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.
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.
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.
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.
The fourth commemorative quarter released in 2007 honors Wyoming. The quarter is the 44th coin in the United States Mint's 50 State Quarters Program. Wyoming, nicknamed the "Equality State," was admitted into the Union on July 10, 1890, becoming our Nation's 44th state. The reverse of Wyoming’s quarter features a bucking horse and rider with the inscriptions “The Equality State,” “Wyoming” and “1890.”
Wyoming’s “The Equality State” quarter reverse was designed by former United States Mint sculptor-engraver Donna Weaver and sculpted by United States Mint sculptor-engraver Norman E. Nemeth. More info here.
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.
