Calling the new Washington state quarter the first ?100 percent Washington quarter,? Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and First Gentleman Mike Gregoire participated in the U.S. Mint launch ceremony in Seattle for their state?s quarter in Seattle.
Mint Director Edmund C. Moy presented them original artwork of the Washington state quarter.
Washington?s state quarter features George Washington on the obverse. The reverse design includes a king salmon leaping from the water with Mt. Rainier behind. Inscriptions ?The Evergreen State,? ?Washington? and ?1889? also appear on the reverse.
?This quarter has captured the state?s pride in Washington?s natural beauty, from the gracefully leaping king salmon to the awe-inspiring Mt. Rainier,? Moy told the audience at April 11 event. ?Across the country, the Washington quarter dollar will now serve as your ambassador.?
Washington was the 42nd state to be admitted into the Union, and the Washington quarter is the 42nd coin in the 50 state quarters program and the second of the five slated for 2007.
Following the ceremony, Moy and Gregoire handed out new Washington state quarters to children in the crowd. Adults lined up to exchange paper money for $10 rolls of Washington quarters.
