2017-01-13 Fri

The 50 State Quarters circulating commemorative coin program celebrated each state. Five quarters were released every year with a common obverse and different reverse featuring the states being commemorated. The 1999 Connecticut quarter was the fifth issue in the series which was released on 12th October 1999. The state was the fifth one to join the Union on 9th January 1788.

The obverse features the modified portrait of George Washington that was common for all the coins in the series. The reverse of the Connecticut quarter features a traditional symbol of freedom to the state – Charter Oak. In the late 17th century, Connecticut refused the governor of colonial New York’s demand for giving up the royal charter. After 100 years of conflict, in 1687, Governor Edmund Andros and a group of armed troops met the colony leaders for surrendering of the charter document itself. The charter was never accepted and was lost during the meeting. It is believed that it was hidden in the Charter Oak.

The branches and the stonework wall are beautifully depicted on the reverse. Other inscriptions include CONNECTICUT, 1788, THE CHARTER OAK, 1999, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM and U.S. Mint sculptor-engraver T. James Ferrell’s initials "TJF".