New Mexico 50 State Quarter

50 State Quarter of New Mexico

Designed by Don Everhart

Released April 7, 2008

New Mexico is a southwestern state whose diverse terrain encompasses the Chihuahuan Desert and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It is usually considered one of the Mountain States.   Its capital, Santa Fe, founded in 1610, is known for upscale spas and Spanish colonial architecture. On January 6, 1912, New Mexico became the 47th state.

Mintage: 662,228,000

The second commemorative quarter-dollar coin released in 2008 honors New Mexico, and is the 47th coin in the United States Mint's 50 State Quarters® Program.  The 50 State Quarter of New Mexico was released on April 7, 2008, featuring a Zia sun symbol over a topographical outline of the state. The great influence of Native American cultures can be found throughout New Mexico. The Zia Pueblo of New Mexico revere the sun, and the sun symbol, a red circle with groups of rays pointing in four directions, is a frequently seen on pottery, art, and other artifacts. The number four is sacred to the Zia, and sun symbol embodies this number as the powers of nature- the sun, the four directions, seasons, and the ages of man. Inscription: Land of Enchantment.

New Mexico 50 State Quarter

The second commemorative quarter-dollar coin released in 2008 honors New Mexico, and is the 47th coin in the United States Mint's 50 State Quarters® Program. New Mexico, nicknamed the "Land of Enchantment," was admitted into the Union on January 6, 1912, becoming our Nation's 47th state. The reverse of New Mexico's quarter features a Zia sun symbol over a topographical outline of the State with the inscription "Land of Enchantment." The coin also bears the inscriptions "New Mexico" and "1912."

The great influence of Native American cultures can be found throughout New Mexico. The Zia Pueblo believe the sun symbol represents the giver of all good, who gave gifts in groups of four. From the circle representing life and love without beginning or end, the four groups of four rays that emanate represent the four directions, the four seasons, the four phases of a day (sunrise, noon, evening, and night), and the four divisions of life (childhood, youth, middle years, and old age). 

The New Mexico Coin Commission, appointed by Governor Bill Richardson, solicited and reviewed approximately 1,000 concept submissions from state citizens. The Commission then constructed four narrative concepts that represented the most popular elements submitted by the public and forwarded them to the United States Mint for consideration. The final artistic renderings developed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engravers and artists participating in the United States Mint's Artistic Infusion Program were then proposed to New Mexico for a final selection process. On April 24, 2007, Governor Richardson announced his recommendation of the "Zia Symbol over Topographical State Outline" design.

The Department of the Treasury approved the design on May 25, 2007. The other three designs considered were "Zia Symbol over Textured State Outline," "Textured Zia Symbol over State Outline," and "Zia Symbol over Textured State Outline," with the Zia symbol marking the location of the capital, Santa Fe.

Source: United States Mint's 50 State Quarters Program