Tuscumbia, Alabama (March 24, 2003) - United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore joined Governor
Bob Riley at "Ivy Green," Helen Keller's birthplace, to unveil the Alabama State commemorative
quarter-dollar coin, the 22nd in the United States Mint's 50 State Quarters® Program. Several noted
Alabamians also gave remarks, including State Senator Bobby Denton; Bill Johnson, the great-nephew of
Helen Keller; Scott McCall, Vice President, National Programs Group, American Foundation for the Blind,
former United States Senator Howell Heflin; and Heather Whitestone McCallum, Miss America 1995 from
Alabama. The U.S. Army National Guard Band from Montgomery provided music for the event.
Alabama Governor Bob Riley and United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore place the Alabama
quarter on the 50 State Quarters® map.
"This new quarter honors a citizen of Alabama whose exceptional courage and commitment to education
provide enduring inspiration to the world," said Director Fore. "The design also reminds us
of the extraordinary natural beauty of Alabama, celebrating the long-leaf pine and magnolia, two natural
wonders of this great State."
The Alabama quarter is the second to be released in 2003. Alabama became the 22nd state to be admitted
into the Union on December 14, 1819. The Alabama quarter design features an image of Helen Keller with
her name in English, and in a reduced-size version of braille. The Alabama quarter is the first U.S.
circulating coin to feature braille. An Alabama long leaf pine branch and magnolias grace the sides of
the design, and a "Spirit of Courage" banner underlines the central image.
Miss Keller was born at "Ivy Green" in Tuscumbia, Alabama, in 1880. When she was a small
child, an illness destroyed her sight and hearing and, consequently, deprived her of the senses used in
the development of speech. Despite her disabilities, she learned to speak and read using the raised and
manual alphabets, as well as braille. Miss Keller also graduated with honors, receiving her Bachelor of
Arts degree from Radcliffe. She went on to publish numerous books, articles and essays. Miss Keller
lived out her life addressing social issues for disabled persons and women. Every year at "Ivy
Green," a weeklong celebration is held to commemorate her lifetime of accomplishments and her
"Spirit of Courage."
United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore presents the Governor and First Lady with artwork
and first day of production Alabama coins.
In January 2001, former Governor Don Siegelman announced a statewide competition for Alabama schools
to submit concepts for the Alabama quarter. Of the thousands of concepts submitted, Governor Siegelman
forwarded three to the United States Mint: Helen Keller, Alabama's role in social movements, and
Alabama's social and economic history. The United States Mint returned five candidate designs to the
Governor's office where the final selection of "Spirit of Courage," featuring Helen Keller, was made.
The United States Mint officially released the Alabama quarter to the Federal Reserve Bank on March 17, 2003
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