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 were featured each year, based on the order in which they ratified the Constitution or became states. On the front, otherwise known as the obverse, the mintmarks can be found to the right of George Washington's portrait. The small "S" indicates San Francisco Mint.

The third State Quarter of the year 2002 and the 18th coin overall in the series honors Louisiana. The design is a tribute to the states history. The central image is a map of the United States the first to appear on a U.S. coin with the area of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase highlighted. The present state of Louisiana is also identified. The horn and musical notes at the top of the coin honor the heritage of jazz music, which developed in New Orleans in the late 19th century. The brown pelican at the bottom of the coin was chosen by the state legislature as the official state bird in 1966.

Each coin is encapsulated - please keep the coins in their protective coin holder to maintain their condition.