CVC & Collectables presents the 2004-P Florida State Quarter, a Philadelphia-mint issue from the 50 State Quarters program featuring a 16th-century Spanish galleon, Space Shuttle, and sabal palms under the theme “Gateway to Discovery.”
Coin Highlights
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Maker: United States Mint – Philadelphia (“P” mintmark)
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Date: 2004
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Program: 50 State Quarters – Florida, 27th coin in the series and 2nd release of 2004
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Catalog: KM# 356
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Metal: Copper–nickel clad copper (91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel)
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Weight: 5.67 g
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Diameter / Edge: 24.26–24.30 mm; 1.75 mm thick; reeded edge
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Mintage (P business strike): 240,200,000 coins
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Obverse: George Washington portrait by John Flanagan (modified by William Cousins), with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, QUARTER DOLLAR, and P mintmark.
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Reverse: Spanish galleon under sail, Space Shuttle ascending overhead, strip of land with sabal palm trees; inscriptions FLORIDA, 1845, GATEWAY TO DISCOVERY, 2004, and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
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Designer / Engraver (reverse): T. James Ferrell / Ralph Butler concept
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Grade: As described in the listing title; please see photos for the exact coin you will receive.
Historical Significance
Released March 29, 2004, the Florida quarter honors the 27th state, admitted to the Union on March 3, 1845. The “Gateway to Discovery” design links nearly five centuries of exploration: Spanish galleons that first charted Florida’s coastline in the 1500s and the Space Shuttle launches from Kennedy Space Center that propelled humans into orbit and beyond. The sabal palms (state tree) anchor the scene in Florida’s tropical landscape, tying seafaring history to modern aerospace achievements.
Collectibility
As the 27th State Quarter with a mid-range P-mint mintage, the 2004-P Florida issue is widely available yet essential for any complete 50 State Quarters set. Collectors target bright Uncirculated examples that show crisp rigging on the galleon, clean shuttle detail, and sharply defined palm fronds. Error and variety hunters also search this date for missing clad layers, dramatic die cracks around the shuttle, and other striking anomalies that can command strong premiums when certified.
