Illinois State Quarter
- Year of Issue: 2003
- Authorizing Legislation: Public Law 105-124
Background
Production Process: Circulating
Coin Type: Circulating
Denomination: Quarter
Authorized Mintage Maximum: N/A
Approval Date: 12/01/1997
Characteristics
Obverse Description: Highlights a bust of President George Washington.
Reverse Description: Released on January 2, 2003, this is the 21st coin released in the 50 State Quarters Program and the first released in 2003. Illinois, admitted into the Union on December 3, 1818, themed the coin, The Land of Lincoln. It highlights an image of a young Abraham Lincoln within an outline of the state, a farm scene, and the Chicago skyline on the left and the right of the state's outline. There are twenty-one stars bordering the coin which signify Illinois as the 21st state admitted into the Union. President William J. Clinton was in office when this legislation was signed. Three United States Mint Directors served under President Clinton's tenure; David J. Ryder of Idaho, Philip N. Diehl of Texas, and Jay W. Johnson of Wisconsin.
Obverse Inscriptions
• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• LIBERTY
• IN GOD WE TRUST
• QUARTER DOLLAR
Reverse Inscriptions
• ILLINOIS
• 1818
• LAND OF LINCOLN
• 21ST CENTURY STATE
• 2003
• E PLURIBUS UNUM
Mint and Mint Mark
Artist Information
Obverse- Designer: John Flanagan and William Cousins
- Designer: Donna Weaver, Artistic Infusion Program