WASHINGTON — The U.S. Mint announced today that quarters honoring Ohio, the second coin under the 50 State Quarters Program to be struck for the year 2002, will go on sale beginning March 11, 2002, at 12:00 noon (ET), and will be available for purchase the entire 10–week release period. The Ohio quarters are available in two–roll sets (40 coins per roll), including one Philadelphia and Denver Mint Mark coin roll each, and in bags of 100 and 1,000 coins. The Ohio quarters are also available as part of the Mint’s popular subscription program. The 50 State Quarters collectibles featuring the Ohio state quarter will go on sale beginning March 18, 2002.
Ohio joined the Union on March 1, 1803, becoming the 17th state. The Ohio quarter’s reverse design honors the state’s contribution to the history of aviation, depicting an early aircraft and an astronaut, superimposed as a group on the outline of the state. The design also includes the inscription “Birthplace of Aviation Pioneers.” The claim of this inscription is well justified — the history–making astronauts Neil Armstrong and John Glenn were both born in Ohio, as was Orville Wright, one of the inventors of the airplane. Ohio was also the site of the 1905 Flyer’s development and testing.
Each coin roll is wrapped in a specially designed U.S. Mint paper coin wrap that prominently displays the 50 State Quarters Program logo, a “P” or “D” representing the roll’s mint of origin, “OH” designating the state of Ohio and “$10” representing its dollar value. Each bag is marked with the Mint of origin and the dollar value of its contents ($25 or $250). Two roll sets will sell for $32.00, bags of 100 coins for $35.50, and bags of 1,000 coins for $300. These rolls and bags, featuring quarters used in regular transactions and struck on our main production floors at the Philadelphia and Denver Mint facilities, will be shipped directly to you from the U.S. Mint. Note that there are no order limits on these products.
Ohio Quarter Jewelry and Gift Items Go on Sale March 18
In addition, the Mint’s popular 50 State Quarter gift items featuring the Ohio quarter become available March 18, including the 2002 Ohio Collector’s Spoon, with the Ohio quarter mounted at the top of the handle and “OHIO” spelled out in block lettering down the 4–and1/2–inch stem.
Other items showcasing the Ohio quarter include the black leather fob and the key ring; the Ohio Quarter sterling silver bookmark, the nickel–plated Ohio quarter golf divot tool, and the Ohio quarter pendant and sterling silver rope chain. Wristwatches and desk clocks featuring the Ohio quarter will be available later this spring.
Customers can purchase the Ohio quarter bags and rolls and Ohio quarter collectables three ways. First, they can be purchased online using the Mint’s secure website at http://www.usmint.gov/.
As an added convenience, customers may participate in a subscription–ordering program where specific products, such as quarter bags and rolls, are charged and shipped to the customer automatically as each new state quarter is released. Second, they may call 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468). Third, they may download a fax order form from the website and fax it to (301) 918–2039. A shipping and handling fee of $3.95 per order will be added to all phone and fax orders. Hearing and speech–impaired customers may order by calling 1–888–321–MINT (6468). Please allow approximately 2–3 weeks for delivery.