Lawmaker Thinks U.S. Would Flip Over Quarters Featuring 50 States

Every state would get its two bits’ worth under a bill that calls for replacing the quarters in Americans’ pockets with 50 different designs.

The George Washington quarter, its stern face unchanged for more than half a century, would be replaced by a cascade of quarters commemorating each of the states.

Perhaps the pelican of Louisiana would be on some coins, whereas Texas might select the Alamo. California’s bear might make an appearance, as might the buffalo from Wyoming’s flag.

Rep. Michael N. Castle (R-Del.), who introduced the bill, said that “these quarters will not just make history but help teach our children and all Americans about federalism and our history.”

Castle’s state of Delaware would lead the parade, with new coins being issued at five per year for a decade in the order in which states joined the Union.

Originally intended as a commemorative coin to observe the 200th anniversary of Washington’s birth, the current quarter has been in use since 1932.

Castle’s bill would place state designs on the faces of the quarters, replacing Washington for 10 years. The reverse would be consistent among all versions, using the current eagle or some other common design.

The states would be invited to help design their commemorative quarters. The designs would be worked out by the state, the Bureau of the Mint and the Fine Arts Commission, Castle said.

Besides teaching history the project should be a moneymaker.

This profit should be boosted by the extra production needed for the thousands of people expected to collect the coins--either saving a few of their state’s quarters or seeking to compile the complete set, Castle said. He estimated that the new coins could produce a surplus of $3.4 billion.