CVC & Collectables presents the 2008-P New Mexico State Quarter, a Philadelphia-mint business strike featuring the Zia sun symbol over a topographical map of the state and the proud motto “Land of Enchantment.”
Coin Highlights
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Maker: United States Mint – Philadelphia (“P” mintmark)
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Date: 2008
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Program: 50 State Quarters – New Mexico, 47th coin in the series and 2nd release of 2008
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Catalog: KM# 422 (New Mexico State Quarter)
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Metal: Copper–nickel clad (91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel)
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Weight: 5.67 g
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Diameter / Edge: 24.3 mm; reeded edge
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Mintage (P business strike): 244,200,000 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: Zia sun symbol from the state flag superimposed on a raised outline of New Mexico, with inscriptions LAND OF ENCHANTMENT, NEW MEXICO, 1912, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and 2008.
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Designers: Obverse – John Flanagan / William Cousins; Reverse – Don Everhart.
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Grade: As described in the listing title; please see photos for the exact coin offered.
Historical Significance
The New Mexico quarter honors the 47th state, admitted to the Union on January 6, 1912, and was released on April 7, 2008 as part of the final year of the 50 State Quarters program. Its reverse centers on the sacred Zia sun symbol, originating with the Zia Pueblo people, over a relief map of the state. The four groups of rays represent directions, seasons, phases of the day, and stages of life—reflecting harmony and balance—while the “Land of Enchantment” caption celebrates New Mexico’s dramatic landscapes and multicultural heritage.
Collectibility
With a medium circulation mintage for the State Quarters era, the 2008-P New Mexico issue is an essential but affordable piece for Washington quarter and complete 50 State Quarters sets. Collectors tend to seek bright, fully struck examples that show sharp detail in the Zia rays and state outline, and error specialists sometimes target coins with die cracks, strike-throughs, and minor doubled-die reverses known on this date, which can carry modest premiums.
