Alaska quarter enters circulation

Alaska state quarters launch into circulation during the final week in August. The quarter-dollar is the 49th coin, and the second to last state commemorative featured in the highly popular United States Mint 50 State Quarters® Program.


The reverse side of the coin features a grizzly bear emerging from the water clutching a salmon in its jaws.  The North Star is depicted above the inscription "The Great Land."  Additional inscriptions are "Alaska" and "1959," which is the year the state was admitted into the Union.


Since the quarter program began in 1999, over 33.7 billion state quarter-dollars have been struck. With the U.S. population approaching 305 million people, every man, woman and child could each own 110 of the coins. Or, about $27 worth of them in change.


The newest state quarter will be celebrated in a ceremonial launch during the Alaska State Fair on Friday at noon Eastern Time on August 29, 2008. The event will be hosted by U.S. Mint Deputy Director Andy Brunhart, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Senator Lisa Murkowski, and other state notables.


One of the special aspects of ceremonial state quarter releases is the enjoyable moment for children 18 years old and younger who receive a free sparkling quarter. Others may exchange currency for $10 rolls of the new coins.

The public need not attend the ceremony or wait for the Alaska quarters to find their way into daily change. At noon Eastern Time on Monday, August 25, the U.S. Mint will offer the quarter-dollars in special bags and two-roll sets.


The bags and rolls include coins struck at United States Mint facilities at Denver and Philadelphia for use in general circulation. The 100- and 1,000-coin bags are offered at $32.95 and $309.95, respectively. The two-roll sets are priced at $32.95, and include one roll each of 40 coins bearing the "D" and "P" mint marks.


The Mint will accept orders at its secure Web site, www.usmint.gov, or at the toll-free number 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).


The successful 50 State Quarters series ends this year with the release of the Hawaiian state quarter in November. New D.C. and U.S. Territory quarters will continue in 2009.




Learn more about the United States Mint 50 State Quarters® Program or get the latest coin news for collectors.