2003 Illinois State Quarter

Characteristics

Obverse Description: Highlights a bust of President George Washington.

Reverse Description: Released on January 2, 2003, this is the 21st coin released in the 50 State Quarters Program and the first released in 2003. Illinois, admitted into the Union on December 3, 1818, themed the coin, The Land of Lincoln. It highlights an image of a young Abraham Lincoln within an outline of the state, a farm scene, and the Chicago skyline on the left and the right of the state’s outline. There are twenty-one stars bordering the coin which signify Illinois as the 21st state admitted into the Union. President William J. Clinton was in office when this legislation was signed. Three United States Mint Directors served under President Clinton’s tenure; David J. Ryder of Idaho, Philip N. Diehl of Texas, and Jay W. Johnson of Wisconsin.

Obverse Inscriptions

• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• LIBERTY
• IN GOD WE TRUST
• QUARTER DOLLAR

Reverse Inscriptions

• ILLINOIS
• 1818
• LAND OF LINCOLN
• 21ST CENTURY STATE
• 2003
• E PLURIBUS UNUM