Massachusetts 50 State Quarter

50 State Quarter of Massachusetts

Designed by Thomas D. Rodgers

Released January 3, 2000

Massachusetts (officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,) located in the New England part of the northeastern region of the United States known for its significant Colonial history. In Boston, its capital, the Freedom Trail is a walking route of sites related to the American Revolution. Originally part of the thirteen colonies, Massachusetts became a state on February 6, 1788

Mintage: 71,163,784,000

The Massachusetts quarter, the first quarter of the new millennium. The 50 State Quarter of Massachusetts was released on January 3, 2000 and featuring a Minuteman of the American Revolution against an outline of the state. The image is based on the "Minuteman" statue standing in The Minuteman National Historical Park in Concord. The Minutemen forces were made up of regular farmers and colonists, called Minutemen because they were trained to assemble and fight on just a minute's notice. Inscription: The Bay State.

Massachusetts 50 State Quarter

The Massachusetts quarter, the first quarter of the new millennium, features a design of "The Minuteman," a famous statue that stands guard at The Minuteman National Historical Park in Concord, Massachusetts.

The selected design captures a piece of the Bay State's exceptional history. The Minutemen played a big role in protecting our nation, as they rallied together to help defeat the British during the Revolutionary War. These small, influential forces consisting of regular farmers and colonists, were always at-the-ready and were trained to assemble and fight on just a minute's noticehence the term 'minutemen'.

In February 1998, Governor Paul Cellucci initiated a unique contest encouraging Massachusetts elementary school students to submit designs for the state's commemorative quarter - and more than 100 did! A 10-member advisory council then narrowed the finalist field to five proposals. After receiving final approval from former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, Governor Cellucci and Lt. Governor Jane Swift announced the selected design concept in June 1999. The Minuteman design concept was submitted by a sixth grader and a seventh grader. So far, Massachusetts remains the only state to limit its design contest to children.

Source: United States Mint's 50 State Quarters Program