August 8, 2002
United States Mint Finishes First At The
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Back to the U.S. Mint Press Release List
Hoosier State Honored with New State Quarter
Indianapolis, Indiana – Governor Frank O’Bannon today joined United
States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore at the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway to unveil the Indiana commemorative quarter-dollar coin, the 19th
under the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters® Program. First Lady
Judy O’Bannon and Tony George, President of the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway, also gave remarks at the event. Racecar driver Sarah Fisher was
on hand to sign autographs.
“Since the first Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
in 1911, Indiana has become synonymous with world-class auto racing,”
said Director Fore. “It is fitting that the Indiana quarter honors the
Indy car, a vibrant symbol not only of America’s spirit of competition
but also of its preeminence in engineering.” She added that Hoosiers
should be proud of this coin and the place it now takes as the 19th state
in the 50 State Quarters Program.
Governor O’Bannon selected the final design after the Indiana
Commemorative Quarter Selection Committee received and reviewed over 3,700
design suggestions from across the state. The winning design recognizes
the state’s famous Indianapolis 500 race. The design features the image
of an “Indy” car superimposed on an outline of the state with the
inscription "Crossroads of America." The design also includes 19
stars, symbolizing Indiana as the 19th state to be admitted to the Union.
“We are very proud of this coin, and we think people around the
country will instantly think of Indiana when they see it,” Governor O’Bannon
said. “Our state played a significant role in the expansion and
development of the United States at its crossroads, and this coin
signifies that importance.”
The release of the Indiana quarter marked the end of production of the
Louisiana quarter, released in May 2002. The quarters are manufactured at
the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, which produce all U.S. circulating
coins and ship them to the Federal Reserve for distribution to the nation’s
banks.
Launched in 1999, the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters Program
is a 10-year initiative that honors each of the nation’s states in the
order that they joined the Union. Each quarter is produced for about 10
weeks and will never be produced again. Surveys show that approximately
139 million adults are collecting the quarters.
The 50 State Quarters products, including the popular collectible proof
sets, which feature the five state quarters of each year, are adding to
the collecting fun. These products and more information about the 50 State
Quarters Program are available through the United States Mint’s website
at www.usmint.gov or
by calling 1-800-USA-MINT.
Created by Congress in 1792, the United States Mint is a manufacturing
and international marketing enterprise with about 2,300 employees. In FY
2001, the United States Mint produced approximately 23.6 billion coins,
fulfilling its primary mission to produce an adequate supply of
circulating coinage for the nation’s commerce. For more information,
please visit www.usmint.gov.
Contact: Press inquiries: Michael White (202) 354-7222 Customer Service
information: (800) USA MINT (872-6468)
www.usmint.gov |
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