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 2001 New York State Quarter starts the third year of the historic Americas State Quarter Program. New York was one of the original 13 colonies and the 11th to ratify the Constitution. It is therefore the 11th state to be honored in the collection. The New York State Quarter features the symbols most important and widely recognized, The Statue of Liberty. This is the first circulating coin in history to show the Statue of Liberty. In addition to the Statue of Liberty, the coin also features a map of the state with a line tracing the route of the Hudson River and the Erie Canal. The legend, Gateway to Freedom and the representation of 11 stars indicating New York as the 11th state complete the coins design.

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