Oklahoma 50 State Quarter

50 State Quarter of Oklahoma

Designed by Phebe Hemphill

Released January 28, 2008

Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central United States, a midwestern state whose diverse landscape includes the Great Plains, mountains, lakes and forests. Oklahoma became a state on November 6, 1907, with a population of 1,414,177, including residents in Indian Territory. The state was formed from Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory.

Mintage: 416,600,000

The first commemorative quarter-dollar coin released in 2008 honors Oklahoma, and is the 46th coin in the United States Mint's 50 State Quarters® Program. The 50 State Quarter of Oklahoma was released on January 28, 2008, featuring the state bird, the Scissortail Flycatcher soaring over the state wildflower, the Indian Blanket. Feeding mostly on non-beneficial insects, the Scissortail Flycatcher is known for its unmistakable and spectacular tail feathering as well as the dramatic aerial displays of the male during courtship. The imagery of Indian Blanket (or Gaillardia) symbolizes the State's rich Native American heritage and native long grass prairies that are abundant in wildlife.

Oklahoma 50 State Quarter

The first commemorative quarter-dollar coin released in 2008 honors Oklahoma, and is the 46th coin in the United States Mint's 50 State Quarters® Program. Oklahoma, nicknamed the "Sooner State," was admitted into the Union on November 16, 1907, becoming our Nation's 46th state.

The Oklahoma quarter features an image of the State bird, the Scissortail Flycatcher, in flight with its distinctive tail feathers spread. The bird is soaring over the State wildflower, the Indian Blanket, backed by a field of similar wildflowers. The coin's design also bears the inscriptions "Oklahoma" and "1907." The depiction of Indian Blanket (or Gaillardia) symbolizes the State's rich Native American heritage and native long grass prairies that are abundant in wildlife. Oklahoma was formed by the combination of the Oklahoma Territory and the Indian Territory of the Five Civilized Tribes - Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, Seminole, and Cherokee. The State's name is derived from the Choctaw words "okla" and "homma," meaning "red" and "people."

The process to choose the coin's reverse design began in February 2006. Citizens submitted more than 1,000 concepts for consideration. This eventually led to the creation of ten narratives based on these concepts. A vote by Oklahoma citizens narrowed the field to five, which were sent to the United States Mint for consideration. The final artistic renderings, developed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engravers and artists in the United States Mint's Artistic Infusion Program, were then proposed to Oklahoma for a statewide vote. On April 30, 2007, Governor Brad Henry announced his recommendation of the State bird and wildflower design, based on the overwhelming number of citizen votes for this design.

The Department of the Treasury approved the design on May 25, 2007. Four other designs were considered, including "Pioneer Woman and Child with Windmill and Oil Derrick," "Pioneer Woman and Child with State Outline and Oil Derrick," and two versions of "Pioneer Woman and Child with State Outline and Calumet."

Source: United States Mint's 50 State Quarters Program