About the New Mexico State Quarter
Governor Richardson Celebrates New Mexico Quarter Launch
Governor also proclaims New Mexico Quarter Day
SANTA FE - Governor Bill Richardson today celebrated the launch of the official New Mexico quarter. The Governor was joined by Director of the United States Mint Ed C. Moy for the ceremonial launch at the State Capitol.
"Today is an historic day for New Mexico, I am honored to launch our state quarter into circulation,” said Governor Richardson. “The New Mexico quarter showcases several of the unique features that help define our beautiful state, including the top two choices of the public- the world-famous Zia symbol and our beautiful landscape.”
The New Mexico quarter went into circulation today, April 7, 2008. The State Capitol was the first place in the Nation where citizens could be sure of obtaining the new quarter. Representatives from First National Bank were on hand at the Capitol for the public to acquire the new quarter and children under 18 received a complimentary one, courtesy of the United States Mint.
The New Mexico quarter is the 47th coin of the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters® Program. New Mexico was the 47th state to be accepted into the Union in 1912. The coin bears theimage of a Zia sun symbol over a topographical outline of the State with the inscription “Land of Enchantment.” The people of New Mexico sent in over a 1000 concept submissions and the final design was chosen in April 2007.
The New Mexico Coin Commission, working in collaboration with the U.S. Mint, is responsible for the creation of the state quarter. The Commission was created during the 2005 Legislative session. Governor Richardson appointed seven members to the Commission. For more information go to: www.governor.state.nm.us/quarter2.php
The Governor has proclaimed April 7, 2008 as New Mexico Quarter Day. Full text of the proclamation follows:
WHEREAS, launched in 1999, the United States Mint 50 State Quarters � Program is a 10-year coin initiative commemorating each of the nation’s states in the order that they were admitted into the Union, and approximately every ten weeks through 2008, a new, limited-edition quarter, which displays an individual state’s design, is released into general circulation; and
WHEREAS, the New Mexico coin Commission, composed of seven residents from across New Mexico representing a variety of backgrounds and expertise, was established during the 2005 legislature in order to select the final design for New Mexico’s quarter; and
WHEREAS, citizens from all over New Mexico submitted more than 1,000 designs to the committee for consideration, and after careful review of the public submissions, the Commission selected four narrative concepts that represented the most popular elements submitted by the public, one of which was the Zia Symbol, representing New Mexico’s rich cultural heritage; and
WHEREAS, in April of 2007, the Commission presented the final recommendation to New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson for approval and the final design was forwarded to he U.S. Secretary of the Treasury for final authorization; and
WHEREAS, as the 47th state to enter the Union, on January 6, 1912, New Mexico is the 47th quarter introduced as part of the United States Mint 50 State Quarters � Program; and
WHEREAS, on April 7, 2008, a ceremony will be held in New Mexico to launch New Mexico’s quarter into circulation;
NOW, THEREFORE I, Bill Richardson, Governor of the State of New Mexico, do hereby proclaim April 7, 2008 as:
“New Mexico Quarter Day” throughout the State of New Mexico.
Photos from the Launch Event at the State Capitol:
Governor Richardson to Unveil Official New Mexico Quarter
SANTA FE - Governor Bill Richardson will unveil the official New Mexico quarter at 11:00am on Monday, April 7, 2008 in the Capitol Rotunda in Santa Fe. The Governor will be joined by Director of the U.S. Mint Edmund C. Moy for the ceremonial launch.
The State Capitol Building is the first place in the Nation where citizens can obtain the new quarter. Representatives from First National Bank of Santa Fe will be on hand for the public to purchase the newly released quarter. Children under 18 will receive a free quarter.
This event is open to the public.
For Event Information Contact:
Caitlin Kelleher, Governor's Office
505-476-2299
Coin Forum on April 6th
Dear Coin Club Members:
You are cordially invited to join the United States Mint on Sunday, April 6, 2008, at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, Wells Fargo Auditorium, 1701 4 th Street SW , Albuquerque, NM , for a numismatic forum from 2:30 to 4:00p.m. in conjunction with the public release of the New Mexico commemorative quarter-dollar.
United States Mint Director Edmund Moy will host the forum. Similar collector meetings held on the eve of recent quarter launch ceremonies have proven to be both lively and illuminating, covering a wide array of issues that are important to both the casual collector and the serious numismatist.
Please share this information with any other clubs, collectors or friends - all ages are welcome. These collector forums are a great way to build excitement and enthusiasm for your state quarter.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Meals Vitelli
Assistant Director
Office of External Relations and Communication
United States Mint
P.S. If you or members of your coin club will be attending this event, please RSVP to (202) 354-7698, or e-mail ddawson@usmint.treas.gov.
New Mexico Coin Commission:
Marian Silver, Santa Fe
Glenna Goodacre, Santa Fe
Tom Catron, Santa Fe
Cynthia Sanchez, Santa Fe
Ramona Sakiestewa, Santa Fe
Estevan Rael-Galvez, Santa Fe
Fernando Macias, Las Cruces
For More Information Contact:
Arif Khan, NM Coin Commission (505) 400-5394
Becky Bailey, US Mint (202) 354-7720
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