50 State Quarters

Thanks to the 50 state quarters program, each state can boast of a specially designed quarter that reflects its accomplishments and unique personality. From 1999 to 2008, five quarters will be released each year by the United States Mint. The purpose behind the 50 state quarters program is to spark interest in U.S. history, as well as in the country's legal tender.The 'heads' side of the new quarters still features George Washington, but his portrait has been slightly reduced in size. 'United States of America' replaces 'Liberty' at the top of the coin, and 'Quarter Dollar' rings the bottom. 'Liberty' is now lettered in small type to the left of Washington, with 'In God We Trust' at the right.The 'tails' side, instead of the classic eagle, now features one of 50 new designs representing each state. The designs for the 50 state quarters are selected by the governor of each state, and are often created with the help of its citizens. For example, the New York quarters feature the Statue of Liberty and the caption, 'Gateway to Freedom.' The Ohio quarters feature the Wright Brothers' airplane and a spacesuit, along with the caption, 'Birthplace of Aviation Pioneers.'Over the duration of the 50 state quarters program, one quarter is released every 73 days. Each quarter is introduced in the order in which its state joined the Union. The 50 state quarters program has been the most successful campaign of its kind--it's estimated that more than one hundred million people have participated on some level.