50 State Quarters Program Fact Sheet Your quick reference to the United States Mint 50 State Quarters™ Program. Program Background The 50 State Quarters™ Program is a 10-year initiative (1999 - 2008) commemorating each of the 50 United States, as allowed by Public Law 105-124. This is an unprecedented program by which the U.S. quarter's design will change five times each year for a 10-year period, beginning in January 1999. States are honored in the order in which they ratified the Constitution and joined the Union. (See enclosed schedule.) This program represents the first change to the quarter since production of the Bicentennial quarter in 1975-1976. The U.S. Mint will cease production of the "Eagle" quarter until the 50 State Quarters™ Program culminates in 2008. The 50 State Quarters™ are legal tender issue from the United States Treasury, and will be available through circulation in commercial transactions and collectible sets by contacting the U.S. Mint's Web Site: www.usmint.gov. This program is self-supported by the U.S. Mint at no additional cost to taxpayers. Design State designs are displayed on the reverse (tails) of the quarters, while the obverse (heads) of the quarters continue to display the familiar image of George Washington. To accommodate state designs on the reverse, the words "United States of America," "Quarter Dollar," "Liberty," and "In God We Trust" have been moved to the obverse. State designs are submitted and selected via a process determined by the governor of each state. The Mint reviews the designs for coinability before each governor selects a final design. To date, designs have been selected for the first five state quarters - Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. Coin Specifications Standard Weight = 5.670g Standard Diameter = 0.955 in (24.26mm) Thickness = 1.75 Edge = Reeded Composition = Cupro-Nickel Clad (8.33% Nickel, Balance Cu)