The state quarter series, issued between 1999 and 2008, honors each of the 50 United States with a specific image on the back. They are legal tender and have become collectible, but their value is expected to appreciate slowly due to the large numbers in circulation. The coins were initially controversial but were authorized by the 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act. Each state quarter has a uniform size and weight and contains standard information. The symbols used to commemorate states were chosen in consultation with individual states and do not follow a single pattern. Some coins carry unofficial mottos, pictures of events, and items representing the states. They are popular with collectors for their aesthetic appeal.
A state quarter is one of a series of commemorative coins, issued between 1999 and 2008, to honor each of the 50 United States. Each state quarter features the standard portrait of George Washington on the front and a specific state image on the back. These coins were issued in large numbers and circulate as legal tender. They have proven to be collectable, but are expected to slowly appreciate in value due to the very large numbers put into circulation.
This series of quarters was authorized by the 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act, which became law in 1997. Initially there was some controversy over the state quarter program because many Treasury Department officials were concerned with maintaining the image of the states currency United. States, which had traditionally been strict, simple, and utilitarian compared to other nations’ currency. Congressional sentiment favored the idea of issuing these memorial quarters, however, and it prevailed.
Each state quarter has a uniform size and weight, and all can be used as common currency. Each quarter in this series contains the standard information that must legally appear on all United States currencies, including year of minting and value. Some of the phrases that appear on United States money have been rearranged so that most appear on the front of the coin along with a portrait of George Washington. This allowed the designers more freedom in creating the emblems on the reverse of the coins.
The symbols used to commemorate states were chosen in consultation with individual states and do not follow a single pattern, although all, as required by law, are serious in nature and do not represent people who were living at the time of issue. Each state quarter was issued individually, and states received quarters in the order they ratified the United States Constitution. Five quarters have been issued annually since 1999.
Some coins are decorated with state emblems or seals or with other official state symbols. The Georgia neighborhood, for example, includes the state tree, state motto, and a picture of the Georgia peach. The Hawaii neighborhood also includes the state motto, although it’s in Hawaiian, giving the neighborhood a somewhat exotic feel.
Other state quarters carry unofficial mottos, pictures of events, and items representing the states. The Wisconsin neighborhood includes a cow, corn and cheese, as well as the state motto. Florida features a galleon juxtaposed with the space shuttle and the state tree, the cabbage palmetto.
Each state quarter also includes the year the state joined the union. These coins have proven to be popular with collectors. Much like the quarters issued to commemorate the bicentennial, these coins are valued more for their aesthetic appeal than their potential to become valuable.
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