Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 25 Cents 1999, KM# 293, United States of America (USA), 50 State Quarters Program, Delaware
  • 25 Cents 1999, KM# 293, United States of America (USA), 50 State Quarters Program, Delaware
Description

The 50 State Quarters Program was the release of a series of circulating commemorative coins by the United States Mint. From 1999 through 2008, the 50 state quarters were released by the United States Mint every ten weeks, or five each year.

Each quarter's reverse commemorated one of the 50 states with a design emblematic of its unique history, traditions and symbols. Certain design elements, such as state flags, images of living persons, and head-and-shoulder images of deceased persons were prohibited. There is believed to be a "curse" relating to the sites and landmarks featured on the reverse of the quarters; misfortune of some sort has afflicted 17 of the depicted designs.

The 50 State Quarters Program was started to support a new generation of coin collectors, and it became the most successful numismatic program in history, with roughly half of the U.S. population collecting the coins, either in a casual manner or as a serious pursuit.

Quarters are issued in the order that the states ratified the Constitution. Release date (statehood date): January 1, 1999 (December 7, 1787).

Obverse

Depicts a profile portrait of George Washington facing left, with the country name above, date below, "Liberty" on the left and "In God We Trust" and mintmark on the right, value below.

George Washington (1732–1799) was the first President of the United States (1789–97), the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He presided over the convention that drafted the current United States Constitution and during his lifetime was called the "father of his country".

Designer John Flanagan (JF), 1932 version from 1786 bust by Houdon / William Cousins

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
IN
GOD WE
TRUST
LIBERTY
JF WC
P
QUARTER DOLLAR

Reverse

Depicts Caesar Rodney on horseback and the state nickname "The First State".

Caesar Rodney (1728–1784) was an American lawyer and politician from St. Jones Neck in Dover Hundred, Kent County, Delaware, east of Dover. He was an officer of the Delaware militia during the French and Indian War and the American Revolution, a Continental Congressman from Delaware, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and President of Delaware during most of the American Revolution.

Delaware was the first of the 13 original states to ratify the United States Constitution on December 7, 1787.

Engraver: William Cousins (WC)

DELAWARE
1787
THE FIRST STATE
CAESAR RODNEY
WC
1999
E PLURIBUS UNUM

Edge

25 Cents

Washington Quarter
KM# 293 Schön# 293
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Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Copper Nickel Clad Copper
Weight 5.67 g
Diameter 24.3 mm
Thickness 1.75 mm
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mints
Denver Mint (D)
Philadelphia Mint (P)
San Francisco Mint (S)

Related coins

Washington Silver Proof Quarter, Delaware

50 State Quarters Program

Silver, 6.25 g, ⌀ 24.3 mm
Washington Quarter, Pennsylvania

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Copper Nickel Clad Copper, 5.67 g, ⌀ 24.3 mm
Washington Silver Proof Quarter, Pennsylvania

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Silver, 6.25 g, ⌀ 24.3 mm