 |
|
::: Important
Dates ::: |
Statehood
Date |
December 7, 1787 |
Release
Date |
January 1, 1999 |
|
::: Mintage Facts
::: |
|
Philadelphia |
373,400,000 |
|
Denver |
401,424,000 |
|
Total |
774,824,000 |
|
|
The Delaware quarter,
depicting the historic horseback ride of Caesar Rodney, galloped onto
the scene as it kicked off the much anticipated United States Mint's
50 State Quarters® Program.
Caesar Rodney was a delegate to the Continental Congress. On July 1,
1776, despite suffering from asthma and cancer, Rodney set off on the
80-mile journey to Philadelphia withstanding thundershowers and a
severe summer heat wave. The next day, he arrived at Independence Hall
just in time to cast the deciding vote in favor of our nation's
independence. This native of Dover has also held more public offices
than any other Delaware citizen. In addition to being an extremely
dedicated delegate, Rodney was also a soldier, judge, and speaker of
Delaware's Assembly.
Through an Executive Order issued by Delaware Governor Thomas R.
Carper on February 2, 1998, state residents were encouraged to submit
quarter design concepts to the Delaware Arts Council. The Council
received over 300 submissions. With the governor's approval, the
Council forwarded several concepts to the United States Mint for
review and execution of drawings. From there, three selected designs
were reviewed and approved by the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory
Committee, the Fine Arts Commission, and the Secretary of the
Treasury. Next, the governor's office conducted a telephone and e-mail
opinion poll. Caesar Rodney received 948 of the 1,519 total votes. The
quill pen and parchment and the allegorical 'Lady Liberty' designs
received 336 and 235 votes, respectively. Friday, June 12, 1998, the
Caesar Rodney selection for the Delaware quarter was made public at a
press briefing in Dover, DE. An art and drama teacher, fittingly
employed at Caesar Rodney High School, submitted the selected design
concept.
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