Have you been saving those commemorative quarters that the U. S. Mint has been producing? I’m referring to the 25¢ coins that have a unique decorative image for each of the states on the reverse sides. The program began 10 years ago with the Treasury Dept. issuing 5 designs each year with the final coins being introduced during the final months of this year.
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They were issued in the order that each of the states was admitted to the Union beginning with Delaware and ending, naturally, with Hawaii. When each design was first released into public circulation, the initial supplies were distributed through the appropriate state with an abundance in the states bordering it. Eventually each new release would be sent throughout the country and everybody would get the chance to find one. The farther away from each state that you lived, the longer it took to get a hold of one.
Since I live on the east coast, I had no trouble snatching up the early releases. But for the past couple of years it’s been a challenge as the far western states have come into circulation. So imagine my surprise when I looked at my pocket change yesterday and found two brand-new quarters, one each for Alaska and Hawaii, living amongst my dirty dimes and pennies. The mint must have been so glad to get this 10-year program over with that they just dumped the entire stock nationwide and was done with it.
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I’m still missing Utah, Oklahoma and New Mexico, though. So I have to keep checking my change for a few more weeks. But the whole venture was fun and it only cost $12.50 for a decade’s worth of casual entertainment. Why doesn’t Sam Adams try that with commemorative beer bottles?
We’d better get this equipment checked out now. I’ll go start the coffee. See you in the day room.
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