Quarter debuts in Utah

Following the railroad theme of the Utah state quarter, dignitaries led by Gov. Jon M. Huntsman and First Lady Mary Kaye Huntsman gathered Nov. 9 at the Rio Grande Depot in Salt Lake City to officially introduce the coin to its home state public.

The reverse of the fifth and final 2007 state quarter depicts the historic moment in 1869 when the transcontinental railroad was completed as engines of the Central Pacific Railroad from the West and the Union Pacific Railroad from the East met at Promontory, Utah. A golden spike was driven May 10, 1869, and the country was linked coast to coast by railroads.

A fourth-grade class from Bonneville Elementary school sang "Iron Wheels a Rollin' - the Golden Spike Song."

Gloria Eskridge, the Mint's associate director for sales and marketing, gave the governor and his wife a signed copy of the artwork that was used by medallic sculptor Joseph Menna to guide his work. The artwork was accompanied in the frame by two quarters struck on the first day of production.

The three dignitaries joined together to place Utah's quarter on a large map of the Unite States.

Free examples of the Utah quarter were handed out to children by Eskridge and the governor aided by Golden Spike Rangers and Girl Scouts. Others attendees were able to change paper money for rolls of the new quarters.

Collectors may buy the coins in roll and bag quantities from the U.S. Mint. Two-roll sets are $32.95. These feature one roll of 40 coins each from the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. Bags of 100 quarters from each mint also are $32.95. Bags of 1,000 coins are $309.95 each.

To order telephone (800) USA-MINT, or visit www.usmint.gov.