Nebraska Quarter

As the 37th state to join the Union, Nebraska’s quarter is number 37 in the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters Program. Nebraska gets its name from an American Indian word meaning “flat water” after the Platte River that flows through the state (“flat” is one meaning of the French word “platte”). Nebraska’s nickname is “The Cornhusker State.” Corn, a major product of this state, used to be “husked” (peeled) by hand there before husking machines were invented.

The ox-drawn covered wagon in the coin’s design is carrying a pioneer family westward. Many of the early pioneers passed through Nebraska and Kansas on their way toward California. The Nebraska Territory was formed in 1854 at the same time as the Kansas Territory. You can still see several of the trails that westward travelers used to cross Nebraska. These trails have names like the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Trail, the Lewis and Clark Trail, and the Sidney-Deadwood Trail.

Nebraska’s quarter also shows Chimney Rock rising from the valley of North Platte River. Chimney Rock, 445 feet tall, was named a National Historic Site in 1956. The Nebraska State Historical Society takes care of the site.

Nebraska Facts

Nickname: The Cornhusker State
Capital: Lincoln
Statehood: March 1, 1867