Proposed Finalist Designs for the Year 2000 State Quarters The following are some draft artist renderings of the various proposed designs for the reverses of the next five state quarters scheduled to be issued in the year 2000. The governors of each state choose the final design and the Secretary of the Treasury endorses it, but these renderings will give you an opportunity to see potential candidates for the quarters commemorating the next five states that joined the Union. They are listed in order, with the dates they became part of the United States of America:    Massachusetts Feb-06-1788    Maryland Apr-28-1788    South Carolina May-23-1788    New Hampshire Jun-21-1788    Virginia Jun-25-1788 Massachusetts Selected Design! The words "The Bay State," a minute man in front of the state outline, and a star indicating Boston, the state capital, are all elements featured on this design. "The ship known as the U.S.S. Constitution is central to this design. America's first lighthouse, the Boston Light, is represented on this design. People still enjoy this historic landmark today. [Top] Maryland Selected Design! Central to this design is the Maryland State House dome. It is surrounded by the nickname "The Old Line State" and balanced on both sides by oak leaf clusters. This design features the Ark and the Dove carrying first colonists to Maryland. The background of this design shows Fort McHenry and the Star Spangled Banner. Bombs bursting in air and stylized water are shown in the foreground. A dramatic view of the Maryland State Capitol's roofline and tower figure prominently on this design. It also features a seven-star circle surrounding a quote by George Washington praising the dependable troops from that state in the Revolutionary War. [Top] South Carolina Selected Design! An intriguing group of symbols are central to this design. They include the state's outline, the state nickname (The Palmetto State), a palmetto tree, the Carolina Wren, the State Flower (Yellow Jessamine), and a star that indicates the State Capitol. This design features South Carolina's majestic State House. Featured prominently on this design is Sergeant Casper re-raising Fort Moultrie's flag as a gesture of American triumph over the British. This scene is at the Battle of Fort Moultrie in 1776. [Top] New Hampshire Selected Design! This design showcases a profile view of the rock formation known as "the Old Man of the Mountain." The words "Live Free or Die" and "Old Man of the Mountain" and nine stars indicating New Hampshire's entrance into the Union are also a part of this design. The country setting showcased on this design for New Hampshire features a meeting house. "This design features a quiet landscape of the White Mountain Range, with a long covered bridge crossing a flowing river." [Top] Virginia Selected Design! Three ships are central to this design for the state of Virginia. The Colonial Capitol at Williamsburg is depicted on this design. The State Capitol by Jefferson is featured prominently on this design. This design displays a side view of Washington's Mount Vernon as seen through the Dogwood blossoms that abound there. Dogwood is the state tree and the state flower. [Top]