State Quarters: A Journey Through America's 50 States

The 50 state quarters program was a series of commemorative quarters released over 10 years by the US Mint with special designs honoring each US state. The program was one of the most successful in US history, leaving a lasting legacy on the coin collecting industry.

The first state quarters were minted in 1999 and the series ran until 2008. In 2009, the US Mint also minted commemorative quarters for the District of Columbia and each of the 5 US territories.

In our decades of experience, we’ve learned that coin collecting isn’t just a great investment option, but also a symbolic insight into a country’s history and values.

Today, we’ll be sharing our industry knowledge on the 50 state quarters program, including rare state quarters, common design themes, and valuable error coin varieties.

First, we’ll start with a complete list of every state quarter released.

Pictured above: Proof edition of first state quarter released | Image credit: United States Mint, Public Domain

State Quarters List

Five state quarters were released every ten weeks from 1999 to 2008, with six more for the capital district and territories in 2009.

Thereafter, the order of each US state quarter released followed which states ratified the Constitution or were admitted to the US first, from Delaware in 1787 to Hawaii in 1959.

The obverse (heads side) of each quarter has the typical George Washington design used since 1932, while the state’s unique design was on the reverse (tails side).

The inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “QUARTER DOLLAR,” “LIBERTY,” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” usually on the reverse of quarters were put on the obverse to make space for the state design.

Every reverse design had the state’s name at the top with its establishment year below it, along with the quarter’s mintage year and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” at the bottom.

Here are all 50 state quarters in order of their release:

Image credit: United States Mint, Public Domain

1999 State Quarters

1. Delaware: Caesar Rodney on horseback (representing his historic ride to cast deciding vote for Declaration of Independence in 1776); Inscriptions “CAESAR RODNEY” on left and state nickname “THE FIRST STATE” on right

2. Pennsylvania: State outline behind keystone (representing state’s Civil War nickname “Keystone State”), Commonwealth statue (normally atop state capitol building); Inscription of state motto “VIRTUE LIBERTY INDEPENDENCE”

3. New Jersey: Recreation of 1851 Emanuel Leutze painting Washington Crossing the Delaware (depicting George Washington, James Monroe, and troops crossing Delaware River in 1776); Inscription “CROSSROADS OF THE REVOLUTION”

4. Georgia: State outline behind peach with live oak sprigs (state tree) bordering either side and three-part banner containing inscription of state motto “WISDOM JUSTICE MODERATION”

5. Connecticut: Charter Oak (tree that hid state’s independent charter/constitution from British King Charles II in 1662); Inscription “THE CHARTER OAK”

Image credit: United States Mint, Public Domain

2000 State Quarters

1. Massachusetts: The Minute Man statue (1870s Daniel Chester French sculpture representing New England militia during Revolutionary War) over state outline; Inscription of state nickname “THE BAY STATE”

2. Maryland: Maryland State House dome separating inscription “THE OLD LINE STATE” (“THE” and “LINE” on left, “OLD” and “STATE” on right) with clusters of white oak (state tree) bordering either side

3. South Carolina: Carolina wren (state bird) holding branch of yellow jessamine (state flower) beside cabbage palmetto (state tree), all in front of state outline containing inscription of official state nickname “THE PALMETTO STATE”

4. New Hampshire: Inscription “OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN” on image of Old Man of the Mountain cliff ledges; Inscription of state motto “LIVE FREE OR DIE” with 9 stars bordering left side

5. Virginia: Inscriptions “JAMESTOWN” and “1607-2007” above three ships that brought first English settlers to Jamestown (Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery) and inscription “QUADRICENTENNIAL” below

Image credit: United States Mint, Public Domain

2001 State Quarters

1. New York: Statue of LIberty & inscription of Ellis Island slogan “GATEWAY TO FREEDOM” superimposed on topographical state outline including line from Hudson River to Erie Canal; 11 stars bordering entire image (4 on left, 7 on right)

2. North Carolina: Recreation of Wright Flyer (John T. Daniels’s 1903 photo of Wright brothers flying Wright Flyer in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina); Inscription “FIRST FLIGHT”

3. Rhode Island: Vintage yacht Reliance sailing on Narragansett Bay, Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge & inscription of official state nickname “THE OCEAN STATE” in background

4. Vermont: Man collecting sap buckets from two maple trees in front of Camel’s Hump Mountain; Inscriptions of state motto “FREEDOM AND UNITY” and “TJF” (for coin’s designer T. James Ferrell)

5. Kentucky: Thoroughbred racehorse behind fence with Bardstown Federal Hill mansion and inscription “MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME” (with quotations, the 1850s ballad by Stephen Foster) in background

Image credit: United States Mint, Public Domain

2002 State Quarters

1. Tennessee: Guitar, trumpet, musical score, and fiddle with banner reading “MUSICAL HERITAGE” and 3 stars representing state’s 3 Grand Divisions

2. Ohio: Outline of state behind Wright Flyer III plane (by Ohio-born Wright Brothers) plus “BIRTHPLACE OF AVIATION PIONEERS” inscription on left and astronaut (representing many Ohio-born astronauts) on right

3. Louisiana: Trumpet with musical notes above outline of US map with shaded Louisiana Purchase area; Inscription “LOUISIANA PURCHASE” on right & brown pelican (state bird) on left

4. Indiana: IndyCar (Indianapolis 500 racecar) superimposed on state outline beside mostly semi-circle of 19 stars; Inscription of state motto “CROSSROADS OF AMERICA”

5. Mississippi: Two magnolia blossoms (state flower); Inscription of official state nickname “The Magnolia State” in script typeface

Image credit: United States Mint, Public Domain

2003 State Quarters

1. Illinois: Outline of state containing young Abraham Lincoln holding book, with farm scene and “Land of Lincoln” inscription on left, Chicago skyline and inscription “21st State / Century” on right, and 21 stars bordering entire image (11 on left, 10 on right)

2. Alabama: Alabama-born author & advocate Helen Keller seated reading braille book with magnolia blossoms bordering either side; Banner reading “SPIRIT OF COURAGE” below Keller, plus “HELEN KELLER” inscribed in Braille & standard print

3. Maine: Historic Pemaquid Point Lighthouse next to last surviving Chesapeake Ram schooner Victory Chimes at sea

4. Missouri: Famed explorers Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and York returning by boat to St. Louis via Missouri River, with Jefferson National Expansion Memorial Gateway Arch in background; Inscription “CORPS OF DISCOVERY” above arch and “1804” and “2004” inscribed on either side of arch

5. Arkansas: Faceted diamond (state gemstone) over rice stalks beside lake with mallard flying

Image credit: United States Mint, Public Domain

2004 State Quarters

1. Michigan: Outline of state & Great Lakes system; Inscription of unofficial nickname “GREAT LAKES STATE”

2. Florida: 16th-century Spanish galleon ship sailing toward island with two Sabal palmettos (state tree) below Space Shuttle flying, all above inscription “GATEWAY TO DISCOVERY”

3. Texas: State outline behind shaded five-point star with lariat (lasso ropes) bordering either side; Inscription of state’s official nickname “The Lone Star State”

4. Iowa: Inscription “FOUNDATION IN EDUCATION” (unofficial state motto) above one-room schoolhouse with students & teacher planting a tree above second inscription “GRANT WOOD” (Iowan artist who painted design’s inspiration, Arbor Day)

5. Wisconsin: Head & neck of a cow beside ear of corn (state grain) and cheese round, all behind banner reading “FORWARD” (state motto)

Image credit: United States Mint, Public Domain

2005 State Quarters

1. California: Early US wilderness-preservation activist John Muir hiking in front of Half Dome (Yosemite Valley monolith) with California condor flying overhead; Inscriptions “JOHN MUIR” on left & “YOSEMITE VALLEY” on right

2. Minnesota: Common loon (state bird) in tree-lined lake with two people fishing beside outline of state containing inscription of unofficial state nickname “LAND OF 10,000 LAKES”

3. Oregon: Portion of Crater Lake National Park with Wizard Island, Watchman Peak, and Hillman Peak; Inscription “CRATER LAKE”

4. Kansas: American bison (state mammal) beside sunflowers (state flower)

5. West Virginia: New River Gorge Bridge and New River with inscription “NEW RIVER GORGE”

Image credit: United States Mint, Public Domain

2006 State Quarters

1. Nevada: Three wild mustangs (state horse) running in front of rising sun over snowy mountains with sagebrush (state flower) bordering either side, wrapped by banner reading official state nickname “THE SILVER STATE”

2. Nebraska: Ox-drawn Conestoga wagon carrying pioneers in front of Chimney Rock National Historic Site with sun & clouds in background; Inscription “CHIMNEY ROCK”

3. Colorado: Longs Peak (important part of Rocky Mountains) above banner reading popular state nickname “COLORFUL COLORADO”

4. North Dakota: Two American bison grazing in front of sunset on canyons & buttes of rugged “Badlands” region

5. South Dakota: Chinese ring-necked pheasant (state bird) flying over Mount Rushmore with wheat heads bordering either side

Image credit: United States Mint, Public Domain

2007 State Quarters

1. Montana: American bison skull (sacred to many Native tribes) centered over mountains & Missouri River; Inscription of unofficial state nickname “BIG SKY COUNTRY”

2. Washington: Leaping king salmon (prominent in Columbia River and state’s tribal heritage) in front of Mount Rainier; Inscription of unofficial state nickname “THE EVERGREEN STATE”

3. Idaho: Peregrine falcon (state raptor) beside inscription of state motto “ESTO PERPETUA” (Latin for “Let it be perpetual”) and outline of state with star punched out for Boise (state capital)

4. Wyoming: Silhouette of state’s trademarked image Bucking Horse and Rider (BH&R); Inscription of state nickname “THE EQUALITY STATE” (first state to grant women’s suffrage)

5. Utah: Two steam locomotives (Jupiter & No. 119) heading toward Golden Spike that united Central Pacific & Union Pacific railroads (first transcontinental railroad) dividing inscription of state’s nickname “CROSSROADS OF THE WEST”

Image credit: United States Mint, Public Domain

2008 State Quarters

1. Oklahoma: State bird scissor-tailed flycatcher flying in front of and beside Indian Blanket flowers (state wildflowers)

2. New Mexico: Topographical state outline behind Zia sun symbol (circle with rays in four directions sacred to indigenous Zia tribe); Inscription of state’s official nickname “LAND OF ENCHANTMENT”

3. Arizona: Sunrise on Grand Canyon with banner reading “GRAND CANYON STATE” separating canyon from Saguaro cactus (plant of state flower), which doesn’t grow in the Grand Canyon

4. Alaska: Indigenous Alaskan grizzly bear exiting water with salmon (state fish) in its mouth next to the North Star (reflecting state motto “North to the Future”); Inscription “THE GREAT LAND” (translation of Alyeska, Aleut name for Alaska)

5. Hawaii: Statue of King Kamehameha I, unifier & first ruler of Kingdom of Hawaii, with outline of the state; Inscription of state motto "UA MAU KE EA O KA ‘ĀINIA I KA PONO" (Hawaiian for “The sovereignty of the land is perpetuated in righteousness”)

Image credit: United States Mint, Public Domain

2009 District & Territory Quarters

1. District of Columbia: DC-born jazz pianist Duke Ellington sitting beside & leaning on grand piano that bears inscription “DUKE ELLINGTON” all below inscription “JUSTICE FOR ALL” (English for district’s official motto, Justitia Omnibus)

2. Puerto Rico: National flower flor de maga, sentry box at historic citadel Castillo San Felipe del Morro; Inscription of territory’s nickname “Isla del Encanto” (Spanish for “Island of Enchantment”)

3. Guam: Austronesian proa boat, outline of Guam, and latte stone (ancient Chamorro architectural base) beside inscription “Guahan I Tanó ManChamorro" (Chamorro for “Guam, land of the Chamorro”)

4. American Samoa: Ava bowl (tanoa), whisk, and staff (used in Samoan ʻava ceremony), coconut tree on shore in background; Inscription of national motto “SAMOA MUAMUA LE ATUA” (Samoan for “Samoa, God is first”)

5. U.S. Virgin Islands: Outline of the three major islands, national bird bananaquit (aka yellow breast), national flower yellow elder (aka Tecoma stand, Ginger thomas, or yellow cedar), and native tyre palm tree, with inscription of national motto “United in Pride and Hope”

6. Northern Mariana Islands: Large limestone latte stone & two indigenous Carolinians in canoe on shoreline, two white fairy tern birds flying overhead; Bottom bordered by Carolinian mwar (head wreath) containing plumeria (national flower), ylang-ylang, angagha (aka peacock flower), and teibwo (aka holy basil) flora

So, how did the state quarters program start?

Historical Background

Congress passed the 50 State Commemorative Coin Program Act in December 1997, but the idea came years earlier.

After the Royal Canadian Mint launched a successful commemorative 25-cent coin series honoring their 12 provinces and territories in 1992, American coin collectors urged the US Mint to launch a state quarter program.

In 1994, some members of CCAC — Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee or Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee — recommended a state quarters series, but it wasn’t until 1995 that the entire committee got behind it.

Congress finally passed the 50 states quarter act in 1997 with the purpose of:

1. Honoring each state’s unique qualities

2. Promoting knowledge of state history, geography, and heritage to youth

3. Potentially producing $110 million of direct profit from silver proof state quarters and $2.6 to $5.1 billion of indirect profit to the US Treasury that will help relieve national debt

Additionally, circulating commemorative coins hadn’t been updated in 25 years, so the program allowed the mint to modernize and attract a new generation of collectors.

In 2007, Congress passed a bill authorizing 5 commemorative quarters to be released in 2009 for the US federal district and territories.

Pictured above: First coin to depict George Washington on both sides |Image credit: United States Mint, Public Domain

Design & Themes

The state quarter designs were largely up to each state. The main restrictions on designs prohibited 1) state flags, 2) living persons, and 3) head-and-shoulder images of deceased persons.

In most states, the process was:

1. State governor asked constituents to submit design ideas

2. Governor and his chosen advisory group submitted 3-5 designs to Secretary of Treasury

3. Secretary of Treasury sent back which designs were approved

4. Governor chose final design (with input from advisory group and public) OR citizens voted for final design

From there, engravers at the US Mint made dies (stamps) for all the final designs.

State Quarter Design Topics

Here are some stats on topical themes in the 50 state quarter designs (not including the 2009 districts & territories designs):

• Captions (inscriptions in the design) on 38

• State outlines on 15

• State birds on 5

• State flowers were on 5

• People on 15 — 8 had specific historical figures, 7 had unspecified people

• Statues on 4

• American bison (buffalo) on 3

• State nicknames on 16

• State mottos on 10

• Vehicles on 12 — 7 had boats/ships, 6 had other vehicles (including the Wright Brothers plane on 2 different designs)

• Specific mountains on 7

• Specific rivers on 4

• Food on 3

• Conifer trees on 4

• Architecture on 7

Pictured above: First US coin with Braille | Image credit: United States Mint, Public Domain

Record-Setting State Quarters

Some of the state quarters had trailblazing “first” records:

• Alabama: Featuring deafblind activist Helen Keller, first circulated American coin with Braille writing

• New Jersey: Depicting George Washington crossing the Delaware River, the first coin ever with George Washington on both sides

• Hawaii: Featuring a statue of King Kamehameha I, the first circulated US coin to have a monarch (or any kind of royalty) on the design

On the flip side, there were some errors.

State Quarter Errors

Some notable mint errors appeared on some state quarters:

• Wisconsin: Denver mint batch with extra leaf on the design’s cornstalk — pointing down on “Low Leaf” ones and up on “High Leaf” ones — worth $50 to $65 circulated, up to $6,000 in peak condition

• Wyoming: Die break between tail and rear of bucking horse in the design resulted in metal chunk, nicknamed “Pooping Horse”

• Delaware: 1) Die cast error led to wrong weight on some; Another batch had a missing letter error, reading “THE FIRST STAT” instead of “THE FIRST STATE” 2) Die break led to line going down and left from horse’s mouth, nicknamed “Spitting Horse,” worth $10 to $20

• Minnesota: Die error resulting in extra trees, worth $5 to $100

• Kansas: Double die error gave bison a humpback (nicknamed “Humpback Bison”); More common missing letter error, reading “In God We Rust” instead of “In God We Trust”

A few of the more valuable state quarter error coins are:

• 2000-D $1 Sacagawea Dollar / South Carolina Mule: Reverse die of Sacagawea dollar with obverse die of South Carolina state quarter on gold dollar-coin planchets; Only 19 known, one sold for $66,000

• 2000 Lincoln Cent Overstruck on 2000-P Virginia Quarter: Double-denomination error, reverse of Virginia state quarter partially stamped with obverse of Lincoln cent; One sold for $26,400

• 1999-P New Jersey Quarter on Foreign Planchet: Accidentally struck on planchet intended for foreign coin; One sold for $13,200

• 2006-P North Dakota Quarter Struck on Steel Washer: Oval-shaped with partly off-center hole due to steel washer used as planchet; One sold for over $8,600

• 2002-P Indiana Quarter on Dime Planchet: Only partial design in view, as dime planchet is smaller; One sold for over $4,000

Don’t want to search for error coins? You can explore collector options for more valuable state quarter varieties!

Pictured above: Mule error coin with 2000-P Sacagawea Dollar reverse and South Carolina state quarter obverse; Image credit: PCGS TrueView, Free use

Key Issues & Notable Sets

All the circulated state quarters were composed of copper coated with a copper-nickel. These were minted at the Philadelphia Mint and Denver Mint.

Special uncirculated state quarter varieties were minted at the San Francisco Mint. They came with a “S” mint mark, certificate of authenticity, and protective packaging.

These two high-quality collector coin options were:

• Proof State Quarters: Struck at least twice on proof blanks of composition as circulated quarters, hand-polished to have frosted & mirror-like background

• Silver Proof State Quarters: Struck at least twice on 90-percent-silver blanks (making them slightly heavier), hand-polished to have frosted & mirror-like background

Every year, the US Mint released these state quarter varieties individually and in sets of that year’s 5 state quarters.

You can find special comprehensive boxes from other sellers that contain all 10 proof sets together.

BUYER BEWARE: Some unscrupulous sellers make “collectible” versions of state quarters that are just uncirculated varieties dipped in an extremely thin layer of platinum or gold. The US Mint didn’t mint gold or platinum state quarters — these other sellers are trying to scam you.

Pictured above: Silver proof 2000 Virginia state quarter in protective packaging, graded PR69 DCAM by ICG (Independent Coin Grading) | Image credit: Billjones94, CC-BY-SA-4.0

Collecting and Grading

As the most successful coin program in US history, according to US Mint Director Ed Moy, state quarters created a new generation of coin collectors. Over half of the US population collected state quarters to some degree!

We know many parents who got their children 50 States Quarter albums, along with passionate industry professionals who sought out valuable sets.

What are the most valuable state quarters and sets?

Besides any error coins, state quarters with lower mintage may carry higher value:

• All silver proof coins & sets

• Any of the 1999 quarters (Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut), especially silver proof varieties

• Oklahoma

• Maine

• Wisconsin

Besides rarity, a state quarter’s value also depends on its grade. Coin grading takes into account the coin’s initial quality, wear and tear over time, and luster.

Based on these factors, professional graders will give the state quarter a two-part grade: initials (e.g. MS for Mint State or PF for Proof) and a number (from 1 to 70).

For more background and tips on grading your state quarters, check out our comprehensive breakdown of coin grading.

Pictured above: Set of state quarters | Image credit: IK's World Trip, Flickr, CC-BY-SA-2.0

Celebrate State Pride & Numismatic History with State Quarters!

The 50 state quarters program was extremely successful, bringing a diverse array of coins that honor each unique state in the US. Collecting state quarters is a fantastic opportunity for education, investment, and fun!

If you’ve already started collecting but want to step up your stacks or you’re a total beginner to coin collecting, we’re here to help you get started with a huge range of American coins to choose from.

Buy American coins from our extensive collection today!