The Best and Worst of the 50 State Quarters, Part 5

This is the fifth (and final) post rating the designs of each of the 50 state quarters. I suggest starting with the first post, which gives the background and explains my grading criteria. This time I'm looking at the 5 quarters from Year 9 (2007) and Year 10 (2008). 

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2007 - Year 9 of the 50 State Quarters Program

Montana is the third state to feature a bison (this time, a skull). The skull hangs over the Montana landscape and the state nickname. I’m not a fan. A skull, the symbol of death? That seems as inviting to newcomers as the flags of Alabama and Florida. Aesthetics 1.5, representation 2, education 0.5, for a total of 4. 

Washington’s quarter shows a salmon breaching in front of Mount Rainier. It also includes the state nickname. It’s an interesting and dynamic design. Aesthetics 4, representation 3.5, education 1, for a total of 8.5. 

Idaho’s quarter features a peregrine falcon, an outline of the state with the capital city marked with a star, and the state motto (‘May it be Forever’). Not only is the peregrine falcon the state raptor, but it is a symbol of one of the most successful conservation efforts of all time. Visit the World Center of Birds of Prey to see their work in action! While I appreciate the symbols they chose, the design itself is out of balance. I would have put a large Idaho on the left and a slightly smaller falcon on the right, facing into the state instead of looming over it. Aesthetics 2.5, representation 3.5, education 1, for a total of 7. 

 

Wyoming’s quarter features a bucking horse and rider, along with the state nickname. This design is really plain. While most of the quarters have depth and detail in the images, Wyoming’s has a silhouette. It would be much more interesting and vibrant if the details were in place. I’d also like to see the state flower or something similar in the space in the bottom right. Aesthetics 1.5, representation 2.5, education 1, for a total of 5.  

Utah’s quarter features two trains moving toward the golden spike that linked the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads, with the mountains in the background. I love the ‘Crossroads of the West’ theme and the level of detail in this quarter is fantastic. Aesthetics 5, representation 3.5, education 1, for a total of 9.5. 

My winner for the penultimate year was Utah, followed by Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, and then Montana. On to the final year!

2008 - Year 10 of the 50 State Quarters Program

Oklahoma's quarter features the state bird (Scissortail Flycatcher) flying over the state wildflower (the Indian Blanket). This is a really nice design and highlights the most distinctive feature of the bird. I like the balance and the scale. Aesthetics 5, representation 4.5, education 1, for a total of 9.5. 

New Mexico’s quarter features the Zia sun symbol over a topographical outline of the state. The state nickname is squeezed into the bottom left. The balance on this quarter is terrible. There are so many ways you could improve this design by shifting things around to give each element its own space. Aesthetics 1, representation 3.5, education 1, for a total of 5.5.

Arizona's quarter portrays two different landscapes found in the state: the Grand Canyon and the Sonoran desert, home of the Saguaro cactus. The two scenes are divided by a banner containing the state nickname. I love this quarter. It is a beautiful, thoughtful design. It represents the state perfectly. Aesthetics 5, representation 4, education 1, for a total of 10. 

Alaska's quarter features a grizzly bear catching salmon. The design also includes the North Star and the inscription 'The Great Land.' This is the translation of the Aleut name for Alaska. This is another gorgeous quarter that can't be improved. Aesthetics 5, representation 4, education 1, for a total of 10. 

Hawaii’s quarter features King Kamehameha I gesturing toward the eight major Hawaiian Islands. It also includes the state motto, which translates to 'The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.' I'm not crazy about this quarter. While I appreciate including an element of Hawaii's history, putting a representative of an overthrown monarchy on a coin is a strange choice. Also, Hawaii is arguably the most beautiful state and none of that beauty is on this quarter. Aesthetics 2.5, representation 3.5, education 1, for a total of 7. 

My favorite quarters from the final year are Arizona and Alaska, followed closely by Oklahoma. Next is Hawaii and then New Mexico. 

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I gave a perfect 10 to three quarters: Nevada (Year 8), Arizona (Year 10), and Alaska (Year 10). There were some standout quarters from the earlier years, like South Carolina (Year 2) and Tennessee (Year 4), but overall the quarters got better as the years went on. The highest average score was from Year 8. Of course, all of this is just my opinion. If you have other thoughts, please let me know in the comments.

I learned a lot more about the state quarters as I was researching them to put this series together. I'll be putting together a list of Fun Facts from the 50 State Quarters Program, so be looking for that soon.