The Quarter Dollar is a United States coin worth 25 cents. It has been produced on and off since 1796 and consistently since 1831.
From its inception until 1964, the denomination was issued in silver; it underwent several design changes, including finally the silver Washington quarter (1932 - 1964) featuring the first President of the United States on the obverse and the American Eagle clutching a bunch of arrows on the reverse. Initially meant as a one-year design to commemorate 200 years since the birth of George Washington in 1932, the obverse became the definitive design for the denomination and has been used ever since. The reverse was issued in this form until 1998, after which time the series of "State Quarters" circulating commemoratives started being issued instead.
The 50 State Quarters Program was a ten-year initiative started to support a new generation of coin collectors, and it became the most successful numismatic program in history with roughly half of the US population collecting the coins, either in a casual manner or as a serious pursuit. Between 1999 and 2008, the United States Mint issued five different "state quarters" every year, each dedicated to one of the US states, in the order of their entrance into statehood. In order to accommodate the reverse designs better, some of the wording which was previously on the reverse was transferred to the obverse. This was done by Mint sculptor-engrave William Cousins, whose initials were added to those of the original designer John Flanagan on the truncation of George Washington's neck.
The Alabama quarter is the 22nd coin released in the 50 State Quarters Program and the second for 2003; it was released on 17 March 2003.
Alabama, admitted into the Union on 14 December 1819, themed the coin "Spirit of Courage" and dedicated it to Helen Adams Keller (1880 - 1968). Helen Keller was an American author, disability rights advocate, political activist and lecturer. Born in West Tuscumbia, Alabama, she lost her sight and hearing after a bout of illness at the age of nineteen months. She then communicated primarily using home signs until the age of seven when she met her first teacher and life-long companion Anne Sullivan, who taught her language, including reading and writing. She also learned how to speak and to understand other people's speech using the Tadoma method. After an education at both specialist and mainstream schools, she attended Radcliffe College of Harvard University and became the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. She worked for the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) from 1924 until 1968, during which time she toured the United States and travelled to 35 countries around the globe advocating for those with vision loss.
Alabama State Quarter Dollars issued in 2003 have now been in circulation for 22 years. |
| Obverse | |
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At its centre, the obverse of the coin shows the portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States (1789 - 1797), facing left. He has long hear, tied below the neck with a ribbon.
The designer's initials JF (for John Flanagan) are in relief on the neck truncation, followed by those of the engraver: WC (for William Cousins).
To the left of the portrait, the inscription LIBERTY. On three lines to the right, the motto IN GOD WE TRUST.
Around above, the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Around below, the value and denomination in words: QUARTER DOLLAR.
The mint mark is a small letter behind George Washington's neck.
Mint marks this year are D, P or S for Denver Mint, Philadelphia Mint or San Francisco Mint respectively. |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse features the portrait of Helen Keller seated in an armchair. Above right, her name in English and in Braille: ⠤⠓⠑⠇⠢ ⠤⠅⠑⠇⠇⠻ HELEN KELLER. On a ribbon below the portrait, SPIRIT of COURAGE. The designer's initials NEN are below the ribbon on the left.
Around left, an Alabama long leaf pine branch; around right, with magnolia flowers.
The state's name ILLINOIS is around above, under which the date of its admission into the Union, 1819.
Around below, the date of issue 2003 and the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM ("Out of many, one" - signifying unity in diversity). |
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