Alabama State Quarter

The Alabama quarter is the second to be released in 2003. Alabama became the 22nd state to be admitted into the Union on December 14, 1819. The Alabama quarter design features an image of Helen Keller with her name in English, and in a reduced–size version of braille. The Alabama quarter is the first U.S. circulating coin to feature braille. An Alabama long leaf pine branch and magnolias grace the sides of the design, and a "Spirit of Courage" banner underlines the central image.

Miss Keller was born at "Ivy Green" in Tuscumbia, Alabama, in 1880. When she was a small child, an illness destroyed her sight and hearing and, consequently, deprived her of the senses used in the development of speech. Despite her disabilities, she learned to speak and read using the raised and manual alphabets, as well as braille. Miss Keller also graduated with honors, receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree from Radcliffe. She went on to publish numerous books, articles and essays. Miss Keller lived out her life addressing social issues for disabled persons and women. Every year at "Ivy Green," a weeklong celebration is held to commemorate her lifetime of accomplishments and her "Spirit of Courage."

The obverse (heads) design features the familiar image of George Washington by John Flanagan, used on the quarter since 1932.

The reverse (tails) design features an image of Helen Keller with her name in English and in a reduced-size version of Braille, an Alabama long leaf pine branch wtih magnolias gracing the sides of the design, and the Spirit of Courage banner underlining the image. 

• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• LIBERTY
• IN GOD WE TRUST
• QUARTER DOLLAR

• ALABAMA
• 1819
• BRAILLE
• HELEN KELLER
• SPIRIT OF COURAGE
• 2003
• E PLURIBUS UNUM

• Denver
• Philadelphia