Collection:
Juneau—Douglas City Museum
Object ID:
2008.36.001
Accession#:
2008.36
Credit Line:
Donated by John Venables.
Object Name:
Coin
Title:
Alaska Commemorative Quarter
Date:
2008
Description:
Alaska Commemorative Quarter Dollar
On front at center is the profile of George Washington. The following writing is around the image: "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA QUARTER DOLLAR." To Proper Right of the image is printed the words : "LIBERTY." To Proper Left is printed: "IN / GOD WE / TRUST."
On the back is the image of a bear fishing for salmon. Above the bear is printed: "ALASKA / 1959." Below the bear is printed: "2008 / E PLURIBUS UNUM."
Object is not labelled.
On front at center is the profile of George Washington. The following writing is around the image: "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA QUARTER DOLLAR." To Proper Right of the image is printed the words : "LIBERTY." To Proper Left is printed: "IN / GOD WE / TRUST."
On the back is the image of a bear fishing for salmon. Above the bear is printed: "ALASKA / 1959." Below the bear is printed: "2008 / E PLURIBUS UNUM."
Object is not labelled.
Notes:
The fourth quarter released by the United States Mint in 2008 commemorates the State of Alaska. It is the 49th coin to be issued in the Mint’s 50 State Quarters® Program. On January 3, 1959, Alaska became the 49th state to be admitted into the Union. The reverse of the Alaska quarter features a grizzly bear emerging from the waters clutching a salmon in its jaw. The coin’s design includes the North Star displayed above the inscription "The Great Land" and the inscriptions "Alaska" and "1959." The grizzly bear and salmon symbolize Alaska’s natural beauty
and abundant wildlife, with the bear representing strength and the salmon representing the nutrition that provides for this strength. The grizzly flourishes in Alaska and can be observed in
places such as Denali and Katmai National Parks, Kodiak Island and Admiralty Island. More than 98 percent of the United States’ grizzly population is found in Alaska.
The word Alaska comes from the Aleutian word "Alyeska,"meaning "The Great Land." Populated by Indians, Eskimos, and Aleuts for centuries, Alaska was not explored by Europeans until
1741. Russia established a colony in Alaska to protect its lucrative fur—trading interests, but sold Alaska to the United States in 1867 for $7.2 million, or two cents per acre, when it could no longer afford to maintain the colony. Although the purchase was derided by many in the United States at the time, its worth became apparent following late 19th century gold rushes and the discovery of oil in the mid—20th century.
The 11—member Alaska Commemorative Coin Commission, appointed by former Governor Frank Murkowski, invited Alaskans to submit design ideas for the Alaska quarter. From the 850—plus submissions, four concepts were forwarded to the United States Mint for consideration. These concepts were developed into design candidates by the United States Mint’s Sculptor—Engravers and artists in its Artistic Infusion Program. On April 26, 2007, Governor Sarah Palin announced her selection of the grizzly bear and salmon design following a
statewide comment period. The Department of the Treasury approved the design on May
25, 2007. The other designs considered include "Polar Bear," featuring a polar bear with the inscription "Land of the Midnight Sun;" "Dog Musher with Denali (Mt. McKinley)," featuring a dog
musher, Denali, and the Big Dipper; and "Gold Panner with Denali," depicting a gold panner with Denali in the background.
and abundant wildlife, with the bear representing strength and the salmon representing the nutrition that provides for this strength. The grizzly flourishes in Alaska and can be observed in
places such as Denali and Katmai National Parks, Kodiak Island and Admiralty Island. More than 98 percent of the United States’ grizzly population is found in Alaska.
The word Alaska comes from the Aleutian word "Alyeska,"meaning "The Great Land." Populated by Indians, Eskimos, and Aleuts for centuries, Alaska was not explored by Europeans until
1741. Russia established a colony in Alaska to protect its lucrative fur—trading interests, but sold Alaska to the United States in 1867 for $7.2 million, or two cents per acre, when it could no longer afford to maintain the colony. Although the purchase was derided by many in the United States at the time, its worth became apparent following late 19th century gold rushes and the discovery of oil in the mid—20th century.
The 11—member Alaska Commemorative Coin Commission, appointed by former Governor Frank Murkowski, invited Alaskans to submit design ideas for the Alaska quarter. From the 850—plus submissions, four concepts were forwarded to the United States Mint for consideration. These concepts were developed into design candidates by the United States Mint’s Sculptor—Engravers and artists in its Artistic Infusion Program. On April 26, 2007, Governor Sarah Palin announced her selection of the grizzly bear and salmon design following a
statewide comment period. The Department of the Treasury approved the design on May
25, 2007. The other designs considered include "Polar Bear," featuring a polar bear with the inscription "Land of the Midnight Sun;" "Dog Musher with Denali (Mt. McKinley)," featuring a dog
musher, Denali, and the Big Dipper; and "Gold Panner with Denali," depicting a gold panner with Denali in the background.
People:
Venables, John
Search Terms:
Government
Federal
Biological
Land Animal
Bear
Salmon
Federal
Biological
Land Animal
Bear
Salmon
Click to Enlarge
Alaska Commemorative Quarter
Alaska Commemmorative Quarter - Back
Alaska Commemorative Quarter
Alaska Commemmorative Quarter - Back