2008 Quarters

The United States Mint is announcing today the designs for the five new 2008 commemorative quarter-dollars in the 50 State Quarters® Program. The new quarters-honoring Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii-signal the end of the most popular coin program in the history of U.S. coinage.

The first commemorative quarter of 2008 honors Oklahoma. It is the 46th coin released in the 50 State Quarters Program. Oklahoma, nicknamed the "Sooner State," became the 46th state admitted into the Union on November 16, 1907. The reverse of the coin features Oklahoma's State bird, the Scissortail Flycatcher, in flight with its distinctive tail feathers spread. The bird is soaring above the State wildflower, the Indian Blanket, amid a field of similar wildflowers. The coin's design also bears the inscriptions "Oklahoma" and "1907."

The second commemorative quarter of 2008 honors New Mexico. It is the 47th coin released in the 50 State Quarters Program. Nicknamed the "Land of Enchantment," New Mexico was admitted into the Union on January 6, 1912, becoming the 47th state. The reverse of the New Mexico quarter features the Zia sun symbol. The symbol is superimposed over a topographical outline of the State. The coin's design also bears the inscriptions "Land of Enchantment," "New Mexico" and "1912."

The third commemorative quarter of 2008 honors Arizona. It is the 48th coin in the 50 State Quarters Program. Arizona, nicknamed the "Grand Canyon State," was admitted into the Union on February 14, 1912, becoming the Nation's 48th state and the last in the continental United States. The reverse of the coin features a detailed image of the Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, with Arizona's State flower, the Saguaro Cactus, in the foreground. Inscribed on the coin is a banner reading "Grand Canyon State." The coin's design also bears the inscriptions "Arizona" and "1912."

The fourth commemorative quarter of 2008 honors Alaska. It is the 49th coin in the 50 State Quarters Program. Alaska was admitted into the Union on January 3, 1959, becoming the 49th state. The reverse of the Alaska quarter features a grizzly bear emerging from the water clutching a salmon in its jaw. The coin's design includes the North Star displayed above the inscription "The Great Land." The coin's design also bears the inscriptions "Alaska" and "1959."

The fifth and final commemorative quarter in the 50 State Quarters Program honors Hawaii. Nicknamed the "The Aloha State," Hawaii became the 50th state admitted into the Union on August 21, 1959. The Hawaii quarter features King Kamehameha I stretching his hand toward the eight major islands of Hawaii. The coin also bears Hawaii's state motto UA MAU KE EA O KA ‘AINA I KA PONO, ("The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness"), "Hawaii" and "1959."

The quarters are scheduled to revert back to their pre-1999 designs after next year. George Washington will remain on the "heads" side of the coin, but the "tails" side where the state designs had been placed will once again feature an American eagle.

Collectors who are missing some states should not lose heart since the coins already produced should remain in circulation for about 30 years.