2004-P United States 25-Cent State Quarter Series: Iowa Brilliant Uncirculated Coin

2004-P United States 25-Cent State Quarter Series: Iowa Brilliant Uncirculated Coin

Face Value: 25 cents
Mintage: N/A
Composition: 91.67% Copper, 8.33% Nickel
Weight (g): 5.67
Diameter (mm): 24.26
Finish: BU

Launched in 1999, the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters Program was a 10-year initiative that honored each of the nation’s states in the order that they ratified the Constitution or were admitted into the Union. Each quarter was produced for about 10 weeks and will never be produced again. State designs are displayed on the reverse (tails) of the quarters, while the obverse design displays the familiar image of George Washington.

Released on August 30, 2004, this is the 29th coin released in the 50 State Quarters Program and the fourth released in 2004. Iowa, admitted into the Union on December 28 1846, themed the coin Foundation in Education. It highlights a one-room schoolhouse with a teacher and students planting a tree, and the inscriptions Foundation in Education and Grant Wood. Iowa's design is based on Arbor Day, a painting by Grant Wood, who was born near Anamosa, Iowa. President William J. Clinton was in office when this legislation was signed. Three United States Mint Directors served under President Clinton's tenure; David J. Ryder of Idaho, Philip N. Diehl of Texas, and Jay W. Johnson of Wisconsin.

Obverse design:
John Flanagan's portrait of George Washington (modified by William Cousins) is featured on the obverse. Also seen are the inscriptions "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "QUARTER DOLLAR," "LIBERTY", "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the mintmark.

Reverse design:
The reverse design of the Iowa Quarter features a one room schoolhouse. The inscriptions include the State name, Statehood date, mintage date, “E Pluribus Unum,” and “Foundation in Education.” The coin’s reverse was designed and engraved by John Mercanti after a Grant Wood painting.