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Release date of Maine State Quarter: June
02, 2003.
The Maine quarter is the third quarter of 2003,
and the 23rd in the 50 State Quarters® Program. Maine became the 23rd
state to be admitted into the Union, as part of the Missouri Compromise
on March 15, 1820. The Maine quarter design incorporates a rendition of
the Pemaquid Point Light atop a granite coast and of a schooner at sea.
Pemaquid Point Light is located in New Harbor, and marks the entrance
to Muscongus Bay and Johns Bay. Since the beginning of ship activity in
the area, a shoal created hazardous navigation conditions, causing many
shipwrecks. As maritime trade increased in the area, so did the need
for a lighthouse. In 1826, Congress appropriated funds to build a
lighthouse at Pemaquid Point. Although the original building was
replaced in 1835, and the original 10 lamps in 1856, the light is still
a beacon for ships and remains one of Maine's most popular tourist
attractions. The schooner resembles "Victory Chimes, " the last
three-masted schooner of the Windjammer Fleet. "Victory Chimes" has
become synonymous with Maine windjamming.
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| The Maine state quarter
depicts the incorporated rendition of the Pemaquid Point Light atop a
granite coast and of a schooner at sea. United States Mint image.
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In March 2001, Governor Angus King established the Commission on the
Maine State Quarter Design. The Commission reviewed many concepts
before choosing three to forward to the Governor for recommendation.
Governor King added a fourth concept to the three concepts the
Commission recommended and forwarded them to the United States Mint.
The United States Mint then returned four candidate designs based on
the concepts. They included "Nation's First Light," "Where America's
Day Begins," Mt. Katahdin, and the lighthouse at Pemaquid Point. The
Pemaquid Point Light design was chosen by popular vote, with over
100,000 Maine residents participating.
Purchase a Maine
State Quarter
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