Illinois State Quarter

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.

The coin design highlights how the state's agricultural traditions and business and financial climate — all the things that make Illinois a major hub of international commerce – rest on Lincoln's legacy of integrity and hard work. The Illinois quarter depicts a young Abraham Lincoln within the outline of the state. A farm scene and the Chicago skyline appear on opposite sides of the outline. The design also contains 21 stars and bears the inscriptions "21st State/Century" and "Land Of Lincoln."

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 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. 

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

• ILLINOIS
• 1818
• LAND OF LINCOLN
• 21ST CENTURY STATE
• 2003
• E PLURIBUS UNUM

• Denver
• Philadelphia