1999-D Delaware State Quarter
CVC & Collectables presents the 1999-D Delaware State Quarter, the Denver–minted debut of the 50 State Quarters Program. This “First State” issue features Caesar Rodney’s historic 1776 ride for independence and opened the modern era of U.S. commemorative quarters. United States Mint+2Wikipedia+2
Coin Highlights
-
Mint: Denver (“D” mint mark)
-
Date: 1999 (first year of the 50 State Quarters series)
-
Catalog / Type: Washington Quarter, 50 State Quarters – Delaware; KM# 293
-
Metal: Copper-nickel clad copper (approx. 91.67% Cu, 8.33% Ni over pure copper core)
-
Weight / Diameter / Edge: 5.67 g; ~24.3 mm; reeded edge
-
Obverse: Portrait of George Washington by John Flanagan, updated by William Cousins; legends UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, QUARTER DOLLAR, with “D” mint mark.
-
Reverse: Caesar Rodney on horseback with inscriptions DELAWARE, 1787, THE FIRST STATE, CAESAR RODNEY, 1999, E PLURIBUS UNUM; design by Mint engraver William Cousins based on Eddy Seger’s concept.
-
Mintage: 401,424,000 circulation strikes.
Historical Significance
Released on January 4, 1999, the Delaware quarter was the very first coin of the 50 State Quarters Program, a series that revitalized U.S. coin collecting and ran from 1999 through 2008.
The reverse celebrates Delaware’s role as “The First State” to ratify the U.S. Constitution and depicts Caesar Rodney’s grueling 80-mile overnight ride in 1776 from Dover to Philadelphia. His vote broke the deadlock in favor of independence, helping ensure Delaware’s place among the original thirteen states and cementing Rodney as a Revolutionary War hero.
Collectibility
With over 401 million pieces struck, the 1999-D Delaware quarter was issued in huge numbers and remains affordable in circulated grades. However, collectors prize attractive Mint State examples as the first Denver issue of the State Quarter era.
