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The Illinois quarter is the first quarter of 2003, and the 21st in the 50
State Quarters® Program. The Illinois quarter design depicts a young Abraham
Lincoln within the outline of the state. A farm scene and the Chicago skyline
appear on the left and to the right of the state's outline. Twenty-one stars
border the coin, signifying Illinois as the 21st state to be admitted into the
Union on December 3, 1818.
"The Prairie State," also commonly known as the "Land of Lincoln," pays tribute
to our nation's 16th president. The young Lincoln lived and practiced law in
Springfield before becoming one of our nation's greatest leaders. President
Lincoln's historic home, burial site and new presidential library are all
located in the Springfield area.
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The quarter from Illinois depicts a young Abraham
Lincoln within the outline of the state. A farm scene and the Chicago skyline
appear on the left and to the right of the state's outline. Twenty-one stars
border the coin, signifying Illinois as the 21st state to be admitted into the
Union.
United States Mint image |
In January 2001, Governor George Ryan announced the Governor's Classroom
Contest to solicit ideas from school children and begin an open period for
public input on the state's quarter design. The state received more than 6,000
submissions, approximately 5,700 of which were from school children. Governor
Ryan named a 14-member committee to review the submissions and to suggest three
to five concepts to be forwarded to the United States Mint.
The state chose three concepts: Illinois history, agriculture and industry,
and state symbols. The United States Mint returned five designs based on the
concepts for final selection by the Governor. The final design, "Land of
Lincoln-21st State/Century," represents the history and future of Illinois.
Purchase an
Illinois State Quarter
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