SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - United States Mint Director Edmund C. Moy traveled from Washington D.C., to Seattle, to ceremonially launch the Washington commemorative quarter-dollar today. Washington was the 42nd state to be admitted into the Union, and the Washington quarter is the 42nd coin produced by the United States Mint in its popular 50 State Quarters® Program.

The Washington quarter-dollar features the traditional image of George Washington on the obverse (heads side) and images representing the State of Washington on the reverse (tails side). Governor Chris Gregoire has called it the first “100 percent Washington quarter.” The Washington image includes a king salmon breaching the water in front of majestic Mount Rainier. The coin bears the inscriptions “The Evergreen State,” “Washington” and “1889.”

“This quarter has captured the State’s pride in Washington’s natural beauty, from the gracefully leaping king salmon to the awe inspiring Mount Rainier,” Director Moy told the crowd. “Across the country, the Washington quarter-dollar will now serve as your ambassador.”

Following the ceremony, Director Moy and Governor Gregoire handed out shiny, new Washington quarters to the children in the crowd. Adults lined up to exchange their bills for $10 rolls of Washington quarters.

The Washington quarter-dollar is the second commemorative quarter-dollar released by the United States Mint in 2007. The 50 State Quarters® Program is the most successful coin program in U.S. history, with an estimated 140 million Americans collecting the quarters.

For a downloadable images of the Washington quarter,please click here.

Free United States Mint lesson plans about the Washington quarter-dollar may be downloaded at www.usmint.gov/kids.

NEWS MEDIA ONLY: Satellite feed available, Wednesday, April 11th: 8:30-9:00 PM ET - GA 26C, Tr. 9, DL 3880V and 10:30-11:00 PM ET - GA 26C, Tr. 9, DL 3880V