Delaware 50 State Quarter

50 State Quarter of Delaware

Designed by William Cousins

Released January 1, 1999.

Delaware, a small Mid-Atlantic US state, in the northeastern portion of the Delmarva Peninsula encompassing 18th-century Colonial landmarks and marked by dune-backed beaches bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Delaware River and Delaware Bay. Delaware, one of the thirteen colonies, gained its distinction as the "First State" when it was the first to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787.

Mintage: 774,824,000

The Delaware quarter kicked off the much anticipated United States Mint's 50 State Quarters® Program. The 50 State Quarter of Delaware was released on January 1, 1999 and depicts the historic horseback ride of soldier and statesman Caesar Rodney, delegate to the Continental Congress. On July 1, 1776, suffering from illness, Rodney embarked on the 80-mile journey to Philadelphia dramatically arriving at Independence Hall the next morning just in time to cast a deciding vote in favor of the resolution of independence. Inscriptions: Caesar Rodney and The First State.

Delaware 50 State Quarter

The Delaware quarter, depicting the historic horseback ride of Caesar Rodney, galloped onto the scene as it kicked off the much anticipated United States Mint's 50 State Quarters® Program.

Caesar Rodney was a delegate to the Continental Congress. On July 1, 1776, despite suffering from asthma and cancer, Rodney set off on the 80-mile journey to Philadelphia withstanding thundershowers and a severe summer heat wave. The next day, he arrived at Independence Hall just in time to cast the deciding vote in favor of our nation's independence. This native of Dover has also held more public offices than any other Delaware citizen. In addition to being an extremely dedicated delegate, Rodney was also a soldier, judge, and speaker of Delaware's Assembly.

Through an Executive Order issued by Delaware Governor Thomas R. Carper on February 2, 1998, state residents were encouraged to submit quarter design concepts to the Delaware Arts Council. The Council received over 300 submissions. With the governor's approval, the Council forwarded several concepts to the United States Mint for review and execution of drawings. From there, three selected designs were reviewed and approved by the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee, the Fine Arts Commission, and the Secretary of the Treasury. Next, the governor's office conducted a telephone and e-mail opinion poll. Caesar Rodney received 948 of the 1,519 total votes. The quill pen and parchment and the allegorical 'Lady Liberty' designs received 336 and 235 votes, respectively. Friday, June 12, 1998, the Caesar Rodney selection for the Delaware quarter was made public at a press briefing in Dover, DE. An art and drama teacher, fittingly employed at Caesar Rodney High School, submitted the selected design concept.

Source: United States Mint's 50 State Quarters Program