|
PHILADELPHIA (December 7, 1998) - U.S. Mint Director Philip N. Diehl and United
States Treasurer Mary Ellen Withrow today joined Delaware Congressman Michael N.
Castle and Delaware Governor Thomas R. Carper at the Philadelphia Mint for a
strike of the first coin under the 50 State Quarters® Program. The Delaware
quarter was shipped to the Federal Reserve on January 4, 1999.
Ready, set, strike! Delaware Governor Thomas R. Carper strikes a Delaware
quarter while U.S. Mint Director Philip N. Diehl and several fifth graders from
St. Mary's Parochial School look on. |
The public will see a new quarter approximately every 10-weeks through the year 2008.
"With the first design change of a circulating coin since the Bicentennial in 1976,
this new series of quarters invites us to learn more about the history of our great states,
" said U.S.Treasurer Withrow. "The 50 State Quarters® Program invites the
Governors to submit design concepts that express the unique character, heritage and
contributions of their state to the nation."
The Delaware reverse ("tails") design depicts Caesar Rodney on horseback
making his historic ride to break the tie among Delaware's delegates for the Declaration
of Independence. The other state quarters issued in 1999 are Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
Georgia and Connecticut.
"By enabling all Americans to collect these circulating commemorative quarters
out of pocket change," said Mint Director Philip N. Diehl, "we'll be able to
share the joys of coin collecting and expand the traditional educational role of coins
nationwide. And in the near future, we will announce the annual uncirculated, proof and
silver proof sets that will include coins under the 50 State Quarters® Program."
The famed portrait of President George Washington will continue to grace the obverse
("heads"). However, inscriptions have been moved to accommodate the state
designs on the reverse. The Eagle reverse is scheduled to resume in 2009.
Mint Director Philip N. Diehl and United States Treasurer Mary Ellen Withrow
make their way down the line of presses, where they and other special guests
alternated in having the honor of pressing the buttons that set each coin press
rolling. |
Public Law 105-124, signed by President Clinton at the end of 1997, authorizes
the Mint to honor the 50 states in the order they entered the Union or ratified the
Constitution by producing five quarters each year from 1999 through 2008 with new
reverse designs. The design process for each quarter is determined within each state
by the Governor before design concepts are sent to the Mint, and then returned to the
states for their final selection. Approval of the final design rests with the Treasury
Secretary.
The coins under the 50 State Quarters® Program will be manufactured at both
the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, which produce all legal tender U.S. circulating coins,
before being shipped to the Federal Reserve for distribution through the commercial
banking system.
Delaware Home Page
|
