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The Mississippi quarter, the fifth and last quarter of 2002 and 20th in the
series, showcases the beauty and elegance of the state flower, combining the
blossoms and leaves of two magnolias with the inscription "The Magnolia State."
Although there are several varieties of magnolia found throughout the world, it
is the southern magnolia, or Magnolia grandiflora, that is native to the
SE United States. Boasting large, showy white flowers as big as 15
inches across, they are named for 18th century French botanist Pierre Magnol. Mississippi adopted it as the state flower in 1952.
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The Mississippi coin showcases the beauty and
elegance of the state flower, combining the blossoms and leaves of two magnolias
with the inscription "The Magnolia State."
United States Mint image |
In 1900, when Mississippi schoolchildren were asked to vote for a state
flower, they selected the magnolia over a group that included cape jasmine,
yellow jasmine and cotton. The selection remained unofficial, however, as the
legislature did not act on the result. A similar election for state tree in 1935
gave the magnolia a landslide victory, one that was made official on April 1,
1938. On February 26, 1952, the Mississippi legislature finally adopted the
magnolia as the state flower, opposed by only one vote.
In response to the United States Mint's request for design concepts for the
Mississippi quarter, Governor Ronnie Musgrove submitted three concepts on June
22, 2000, a Magnolia flower with a branch, a Mockingbird and "Mississippi - The
Magnolia State."
The United States Mint provided Governor Musgrove with three candidate designs
from which he chose "The Magnolia State" on July 3, 2001.
Purchase a
Mississippi State Quarter
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