“Two Bit” exhibit circulated by ANA Money Museum
“Two Bits: The Quarter Dollar in American History” has taken to the road from the American Numismatic Association (ANA) Money Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Its next destination is the Raleigh Coin Club in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Starting with the Delaware quarter that went into circulation on January 4, 1999, its successors in the United States Mint’s 50 State Quartersâ„¢ Program recalling and their two bit predecessors, the display showcases America’s workhorse coin.
“Coins are history you can hold in your hand,” Money Museum Curator Robert W. Hoge says. “The redesigned quarters are making people look at the money in their pockets and learn the story of America. These new coins symbolize the history and geography of this nation in a way that has never been done.”
The Mint’s 10-year program allows each state to submit a reverse design that commemorates its history. Each is issued for about 10 weeks, with five new designs each year from 1999 to 2008 in the order the states ratified the Constitution or were admitted to the Union.
“The Washington quarter was issued in 1932 as a circulating commemorative coin, as these new quarters are,” Hoge said. “However, the public liked the new designs so much that we still have them today. Our last circulating commemorative coins were made nearly a quarter century ago, for the 1976 Bicentennial. These new quarters continue a 109-year tradition of commemorative U.S. coins that started with the 1892 half dollars struck for the Columbian Exposition in Chicago.”
Hoge points out that every major country in the world frequently has new coin designs and the United States is long overdue for “changes in our pocket change.” The ANA, founded in 1891 and chartered by Congress, is the world’s largest organization of coin and paper money collectors. The ANA has been headquartered in Colorado Springs since 1966.
“Two Bits: The Quarter Dollar in American History” is one of 10 exhibits available for loan to ANA-member clubs and schools. The exhibits also are available for loan to other venues for a weekly or monthly rental fee plus shipping and handling.
For more information on ANA traveling exhibits, contact the American Numismatic Association Money Museum, 818 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903-3279; telephone 719/632-2646; fax 719/634-4085; E-mail anamus@money.org.
Originally Release Date: June 1, 2001
ANA Contacts: Phone: 719-482-9872
Email: pr@money.org