CHEYENNE, WYOMING - The sounds of the University of Wyoming Marching Band filled the Cheyenne Civic Center today in celebration of the official launch of the State's commemorative quarter-dollar.  Hosted by United States Mint Director Ed Moy and Governor Dave Freudenthal, the Wyoming launch ceremony honored the 44th coin in the United States Mint's popular 50 State Quarters® Program.

Released into circulation on September 4, the Wyoming quarter design features a bucking horse and rider, which pays homage to the State's Wild West heritage.  The coin also bears the inscriptions "The Equality State," recognizing Wyoming's historical role in establishing equal voting rights for women; "Wyoming;" and "1890," the year Wyoming was admitted into the Union.

"The Wyoming quarter embodies ideals that our Nation reveres:  a pioneering spirit and equal opportunity for all," said United States Mint Director Ed Moy. "The United States Mint is especially proud of this quarter because Wyoming's first woman governor, Nellie Tayloe Ross, also served as the United States Mint's first woman director."

Following the launch ceremony, members of the University of Wyoming Cowgirls women's basketball team helped Director Moy and Governor Freudenthal hand out newly minted quarters to children in the crowd.

On the eve of the launch, the United States Mint hosted a Coin Collectors Forum at the Cheyenne Depot, where attendees expressed their ideas on coin programs and coin design.

The United States Mint is offering the Wyoming quarter in two-roll sets (40 coins per roll) containing one roll each from the United States Mints at Philadelphia and Denver, and in bags of 100 and 1,000 coins.  To place an order, visit the United States Mint Web site at www.usmint.gov or call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).  The two-roll sets are $32.95, bags of 100 coins are $32.95, and bags of 1,000 coins are $309.95.

Free United States Mint lesson plans about the Wyoming quarter may be downloaded at ww.usmint.gov/kids

For a digital image of the Wyoming Quarter, go to www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=photo#50state

Satellite Feed of Wyoming Quarter Launch B-Roll will be available on Friday, September 14: 3:00-3:30 PM ET  GA 25C/23 DL 4160V; 5:30-5:45 PM ET  GA 26C/9 DL 3880V.