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The New Hampshire quarter, the ninth coin released under the 50 State
Quarters® Program, honors one of the state's most unique natural attractions,
"The Old Man of the Mountain." The state motto, "Live free or die," and nine
stars, signifying the fact that New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify the
Constitution, complete the design.
"The Old Man of the Mountain" was a distinctive rock formation on Mt. Cannon in
the Franconia Notch gateway to northern New Hampshire. From the right view, this
unique rock formation -- comprised of five layers of Conway red granite --
depicted the distinct profile of an elderly man gazing eastward. Geographers
believe that the layers of granite were formed by the melting and slipping away
action of an ice sheet that covered the Franconia Mountains at the end of the
glacial period 2,000 to 10,000 years ago. Until it crumbled in early 2003, the
formation measured over 40 feet high with a lateral distance of 25 feet.
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The New Hampshire quarter depicts the rock
formation, "The Old Man of the Mountain" and the state motto, "Live free or
die".
United States Mint image |
The "formation" of the New Hampshire quarter design began when New Hampshire
Governor Jeanne Shaheen established a Commemorative Quarter Committee with
representatives from the Department of Cultural Affairs, Arts Educators,
Numismatics, Historical Societies, the Senate and House and New Hampshire
citizens. The Committee held a competition to all New Hampshire residents to
submit design concepts for the New Hampshire quarter. They even created a
website to broadcast the selection process and other information about the
program.
The final design concept selection honoring "The Old Man of the Mountain" was
then forwarded to the Secretary of the Treasury who gave final approval.
Purchase a
New Hampshire State Quarter
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