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.

Kentucky became the 15th state when it was accepted into the Union on June 1, 1792. The Kentucky State Quarter is the 15th coin in the series and the last of the five coins issued in 2001. The Kentucky State Quarter design honors both My Old Kentucky Home and a thoroughbred horse. In 1852, songwriter Stephen Foster wrote My Old Kentucky Home while visiting Federal Hill, a mansion near Bardstown, Kentucky. In addition to the mansion, the Kentucky State Quarter features a thoroughbred horse in the foreground. The Kentucky derby has been run since 1875 and is the oldest and most prestigious horse race in the nation.


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