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Release date of New Mexico State Quarter: April
07,
2008.
The second commemorative quarter-dollar coin released in 2008 honors New
Mexico, and is the 47th coin in the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters®
Program. New Mexico, nicknamed the "Land of Enchantment," was admitted into the
Union on January 6, 1912, becoming our Nation’s 47th state. The reverse of New
Mexico’s quarter features a Zia sun symbol over a topographical outline of the
State with the inscription "Land of Enchantment." The coin also bears the
inscriptions "New Mexico" and "1912."
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"Land of Enchantment," features a Zia sun symbol
over a topographical outline of the State with the inscription "Land of
Enchantment." The coin also bears the inscriptions "New Mexico" and "1912." United
States Mint image |
The great influence of Native American cultures can be found throughout New
Mexico. The Zia Pueblo believe the sun symbol represents the giver of all good,
who gave gifts in groups of four. From the circle representing life and love
without beginning or end, the four groups of four rays that emanate represent
the four directions, the four seasons, the four phases of a day (sunrise, noon,
evening, and night), and the four divisions of life (childhood, youth, middle
years, and old age).
The New Mexico Coin Commission, appointed by Governor Bill Richardson, solicited
and reviewed approximately 1,000 concept submissions from state citizens. The
Commission then constructed four narrative concepts that represented the most
popular elements submitted by the public and forwarded them to the United States
Mint for consideration. The final artistic renderings developed by United States
Mint Sculptor-Engravers and artists participating in the United States Mint’s
Artistic Infusion Program were then proposed to New Mexico for a final selection
process. On April 24, 2007, Governor Richardson announced his recommendation of
the "Zia Symbol over Topographical State Outline" design.
The Department of the Treasury approved the design on May 25, 2007. The other
three designs considered were "Zia Symbol over Textured State Outline,"
"Textured Zia Symbol over State Outline," and "Zia Symbol over Textured State
Outline," with the Zia symbol marking the location of the capital, Santa Fe. Purchase a
New Mexico State Quarter
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