US Statehood Quarters of 2008:
Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, Hawaii
Numismatic and Historic Info, Images
Coins' Specifics:
Diameter:
24.3 mm
Weight: 5.67 grams
Edge: Reeded
Composition: outer layers of copper-nickel (.750 copper, .250 nickel) bonded to
inner core of pure copper
Quantity minted: n/a
Mints: Philadelphia, Denver,
San Francisco
OKLAHOMA STATE QUARTER
Oklahoma, nicknamed the "Sooner State," was admitted into the Union on November 16, 1907, becoming the Nation’s 46th state. The Oklahoma quarter features an image of the State bird, the Scissortail Flycatcher, in flight with its distinctive tail feathers spread. The bird is soaring over the State wildflower, the Indian Blanket, backed by a field of similar wildflowers. The coin’s design also bears the inscriptions "Oklahoma" and "1907."
The depiction of Indian Blanket (or Gaillardia) symbolizes the State’s rich Native American heritage and native long grass prairies that are abundant in wildlife. Oklahoma was formed by the combination of the Oklahoma Territory and the Indian Territory of the Five Civilized Tribes – Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, Seminole, and Cherokee. The State’s name is derived from the Choctaw words "okla" and "homma," meaning "red" and "people."
Release Date:
Statehood Date: November 16, 1907
Mintage Numbers:
NEW MEXICO STATE QUARTER
New Mexico, nicknamed the "Land of Enchantment," was admitted into the Union on January 6, 1912, becoming the 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."
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).
Release Date:
Statehood Date: January 06, 1912
Mintage Numbers:
ARIZONA STATE QUARTER
Arizona was admitted into the Union on February 14, 1912, becoming the Nation’s 48th state, and the last in the continental United States. The Arizona quarter features an image of the Grand Canyon with a Saguaro cactus in the foreground. A banner reading "Grand Canyon State" separates the two images to signify that the Saguaro cactus does not grow in the Grand Canyon. The coin also bears the inscriptions "Arizona" and "1912."
One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon covers more than 1.2 million acres in northwestern Arizona. The Canyon, sculpted by the mighty Colorado River, is 6,000 feet deep at its deepest point and 18 miles at its widest. It is home to numerous rare and threatened plant and animal species. The Grand Canyon joined the National Park system in 1919 and is visited by more than four million tourists a year.
Release Date:
Statehood Date: February 14, 1912
Mintage Numbers:
ALASKA STATE QUARTER
On January 3, 1959, Alaska became the 49th state to be admitted into the Union. The reverse of the Alaska quarter features a grizzly bear emerging from the waters clutching a salmon in its jaw. The coin’s design includes the North Star displayed above the inscription "The Great Land" and the inscriptions "Alaska" and "1959."
The
grizzly bear and salmon symbolize Alaska’s natural beauty and abundant wildlife,
with the bear representing strength and the salmon representing the nutrition
that provides for this strength. The grizzly flourishes in Alaska and can be observed
in places such as Denali and Katmai National Parks, Kodiak Island and Admiralty
Island. More than 98 percent of the United States’ grizzly population is
found in Alaska.
The word Alaska comes from the Aleutian word "Alyeska,"
meaning "The Great Land." Populated by Indians, Eskimos, and Aleuts
for centuries, Alaska was not explored by Europeans until 1741. Russia established
a colony in Alaska to protect its lucrative fur-trading interests, but sold Alaska
to the United States in 1867 for $7.2 million.
Release Date: n/a
Statehood Date: January 03, 1959
Mintage Numbers: n/a
HAWAII STATE QUARTER
Hawaii, spelled "Hawai’i" in the Hawaiian language, is nicknamed "The Aloha State." It became the 50th state admitted to the Union on August 21, 1959. The reverse of Hawaii’s quarter features Hawaiian monarch King Kamehameha I stretching his hand toward the eight major Hawaiian Islands. Inscriptions are the state motto "UA MAU KE EA O KA ‘AINA I KA PONO" ("The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness"), "Hawaii" and "1959."
King Kamehameha I is
a revered figure in Hawaiian history. He unified the governance of the Hawaiian
Islands into one kingdom in the early 1800s and navigated changes in Hawaii, while
maintaining the native practices and traditional ways of island life. His "Law
of the Splintered Paddle" guaranteed the protection of citizens from harm
during war and became a landmark in humanitarian law. He is honored with a statue
in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall.
The release of this quarter
signals the end of the ten-year 50 State Quarters Program.
Release Date: n/a
Statehood Date: August 21, 1959
Mintage Numbers: n/a
Total of state quarters minted in 2008: n/a
A bill was introduced that would authorize a quarter for Washington DC and the four United States territories. The bill was anonymously blocked in the Senate, and there are no plans to coin the quarters so far. The National Collector's Mint commissioned the designer of the New York and Rhode Island quarters to come up with designs for a non-monetary Washington DC and Puerto Rico Tribute Proof.
Puerto Rico Non-Monetary Tribute Proof
Year of issuance: