2005 California State Quarter

Characteristics

Obverse Description: Highlights a bust of President George Washington.

Reverse Description: Released January 31, 2005, this is the 31st coin released in the 50 State Quarters Program and the first released in 2005. California, admitted into the Union on September 9, 1850, featured an image of naturalist and conservationist John Muir admiring Yosemite Valley’s monolithic granite headwall and a soaring California condor. 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

• CALIFORNIA
• 1850
• JOHN MUIR
• YOSEMITE VALLEY
• 2005
• E PLURIBUS UNUM