The Alabama quarter is the second quarter of 2003, and the 22nd
in the 50 State Quarters® Program. 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.
Helen 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, depriving her of
the senses by which we normally learn to speak. Despite her disabilities, Helen Keller 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. Helen 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."
In January 2001, 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 Helen Keller, "Spirit
of Courage," was made.
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