WASHINGTON — The United States Mint closes the book on one of the most successful coin programs in U.S. history on November 3, 2008, when the final commemorative quarter–dollar coin in the 50 State Quarters Program, honoring Hawaii, is released into circulation. At noon Eastern Time the same day, customers can begin ordering coin options featuring the Hawaii quarter–dollar that include a two–roll set priced at $32.95, and 100– and 1,000–coin bags priced at $32.95 and $309.95, respectively.
The reverse (tails) design of the Hawaii quarter, by United States Mint Sculptor–Engraver Don Everhart, features Hawaiian monarch King Kamehameha I with his right hand extended toward the eight major Hawaiian Islands. Inscriptions include the State motto, “UA MAU KE EA O KA ‘?INA I KA PONO” (“The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness”), “Hawaii” and “1959.”
The coins contained in the bags and rolls were struck on the main production floors of the United States Mint at Denver and Philadelphia for use in general circulation. The two–roll set includes one roll each of 40 coins–bearing the “D” and “P” mint marks–wrapped in distinctive packaging displaying the 50 State Quarters logo, the mint of origin, the official state abbreviation and the dollar value of the contents. Each canvas bag has a tag denoting the mint of origin and the state abbreviation.
The Hawaii quarter will be launched in a ceremony at Bishop Square in downtown Honolulu at noon (Hawaii Standard Time) on November 10, 2008.
Customers can purchase the bags and two–roll sets of Hawaii quarters at the United States Mint’s secure Web site, www.usmint.gov, or by calling 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468). Hearing– and speech–impaired customers may order by calling 1–888–321–MINT (6468). Domestic orders include a $4.95 fee per order for shipping and handling. Quarter bags of 1,000 coins will have an additional charge of $7.95 per bag because of their weight and size.
The United States Mint launched the multi–year 50 State Quarters Program in 1999. Approximately 147 million Americans collect the 50 State Quarters coins. In 2009, the United States Mint will launch a new coin program to honor the District of Columbia and the U.S. Territories, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Note: Orders placed before the designated date and time (noon,ET), November 3, 2008) are subject to cancellation. For more information, please read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Answer ID #175.