First Louisiana quarters now in circulation

The Daily Advertiser ^ | June 1, 2002 | Jim Bradshaw

[Pern]

LAFAYETTE - The first of more than 600 million Louisiana commemorative quarters are now in circulation as part of a program by the United States Mint to coin quarters representing each of the 50 states.

The coin features a map showing the area of the Louisiana Purchase; a brown pelican, the Louisiana state bird; and a trumpet, representing the state's musical heritage.

The United States Mint will offer a limited edition of 75,000 Louisiana first day coin covers online at www.usmint.gov beginning at 11 a.m. June 10. The official first day cover features two Louisiana quarters minted on May 6, the first day of production.

The Louisiana quarters are also available in two-roll sets of 40 quarters per roll, one roll each from the Philadelphia and Denver mints. They are also available in bags of 100 and 1,000 coins. Information is available from 1-800-USA-MINT.

The Louisiana quarter is the 18th of the series of state quarters, which are being produced according to the order in which states were admitted to the Union. Louisiana was admitted as the 18th state on April 30, 1812.

The coin was officially unveiled Thursday by U.S. Treasurer Rosario Marin and U.S. Mint Director Henrietta Fore at the old New Orleans Mint.

The final design came after review of nearly 2,000 suggestions made to a Louisiana Commemorative Coin Advisory Commission established by Gov. Mike Foster. The governor submitted five design concepts to the United States Mint, including the pelican, Louisiana Purchase territory, a riverboat, and the Cabildo.

No specific artist is credited with the final design, according to Michael White, of the Mint's press office, although the coin by tradition is initialed by the engraver who makes the final mint design. The initials on the Louisiana coin are J.M. for United States Mint sculptor and engraver John Mercanti.

[Pern]

For all you coin collectors out there.

[GaConfed]

I figured it would have the state motto on there also, which is: "If he ain't got sense enough to steal when he got a chance, he ain't got sense enough to run the govemint." Also needs portraits of both Heuy Long and Edwin Edwards. Carlos Marcellus would be a good pick to be on the Louisiana coin.

[Bogey78O]

'Carlos Marcellus would be a good pick to be on the Louisiana coin'

Why would a good honest law-abiding businessman be on a quarter ;)

[deport]

[GaConfed]

Yea, I remember Carlos was being interviewed about 20 years ago when he was on trial along with about 5 candidates for governor in the last election. He was asked how he came into his wealth. His answer was "I'm just an honest tomato salesman." Cracked me up! He beat the rap in that trial btw, and all the politicians got convicted. lol

[Bogey78O]

I work in Lacombe, Louisiana. There's a relative of Carlos down there. Somehow this one person was able to get a 50 pr telephone cable all the way down their private street while the next street over with 5 or 6 houses only was able to get an 11 pair. I think one of the engineers at Ma Bell knew who he was dealing with.