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.

Rhode Island was the last of the original 13 colonies to ratify the Constitution, and therefore the 13th coin in the Americas State Quarter Series. It is also the third State Quarter of 2001.The Rhode Island State Quarter honors Rhode Island as the Ocean State. It features a vintage sailboat in the Narragansett Bay, with the Pell Bridge that connects Newport to Jamestown in the background.

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