In December 1997, America's most adventurous coin program became a reality when President Clinton signed legislation authorizing the U.S. Mint to issue the innovative 50 State Quarters collection. Starting in January 1999, each of the 50 states in the Union will be honored on a unique Quarter Dollar commemorative coin. Five states will be featured each year, based on the order in which they ratified the Constitution or became states. Due to the aggressive minting schedule, each State Quarter will be minted for only about 10 weeks. As a result, mintages of each quarter only are to be just a fraction of the "normal" quarters are. Regular issue coins will be minted at both the Philadelphia and the Denver Mints. On the front, otherwise known as the obverse, the specific mintmarks can be found to the right of George Washington's portrait. The small "P" indicates the Philadelphia Mint and the small "D" refers to the Denver.
Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787, so it is the first coin to introduce the 50 State Quarters Program. The Delaware coin features Caeser Rodney, Delaware's most renowned patriot. On July 2, 1776, Rodney rode 80 miles to Philadelphia on horseback to vote in favor of the Declaration of Independence and thereby breaking the tie among Delaware's delegates and proclaiming Delaware as a supporter of the document. He was one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence. The Delaware Quarter shows Rodney on horseback to symbolize his historic ride.
Each 40-coin roll of State Quarters from the Philadelphia and Denver Mints are in brilliant Uncirculated condition.
