Indianapolis, Indiana — Governor Frank O’Bannon today joined United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to unveil the Indiana commemorative quarter–dollar coin, the 19th under the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters Program. First Lady Judy O’Bannon and Tony George, President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, also gave remarks at the event. Racecar driver Sarah Fisher was on hand to sign autographs.
“Since the first Indianapolis 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1911, Indiana has become synonymous with world–class auto racing,” said Director Fore. “It is fitting that the Indiana quarter honors the Indy car, a vibrant symbol not only of America’s spirit of competition but also of its preeminence in engineering.” She added that Hoosiers should be proud of this coin and the place it now takes as the 19th state in the 50 State Quarters Program.
Governor O’Bannon selected the final design after the Indiana Commemorative Quarter Selection Committee received and reviewed over 3,700 design suggestions from across the state. The winning design recognizes the state’s famous Indianapolis 500 race. The design features the image of an “Indy” car superimposed on an outline of the state with the inscription “Crossroads of America.” The design also includes 19 stars, symbolizing Indiana as the 19th state to be admitted to the Union.
“We are very proud of this coin, and we think people around the country will instantly think of Indiana when they see it,” Governor O’Bannon said. “Our state played a significant role in the expansion and development of the United States at its crossroads, and this coin signifies that importance.”
The release of the Indiana quarter marked the end of production of the Louisiana quarter, released in May 2002. The quarters are manufactured at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints, which produce all U.S. circulating coins and ship them to the Federal Reserve for distribution to the nation’s banks.
Launched in 1999, the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters Program is a 10–year initiative that honors each of the nation’s states in the order that they joined the Union. Each quarter is produced for about 10 weeks and will never be produced again. Surveys show that approximately 139 million adults are collecting the quarters.
The 50 State Quarters products, including the popular collectible proof sets, which feature the five state quarters of each year, are adding to the collecting fun. These products and more information about the 50 State Quarters Program are available through the United States Mint’s website at www.usmint.gov or by calling 1–800–USA–MINT.
Created by Congress in 1792, the United States Mint is a manufacturing and international marketing enterprise with about 2,300 employees. In FY 2001, the United States Mint produced approximately 23.6 billion coins, fulfilling its primary mission to produce an adequate supply of circulating coinage for the nation’s commerce. For more information, please visit www.usmint.gov.