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We celebrate a milestone of sorts with the publication of this column. "The State Quarters" column was first published in Coin World on Jan. 25, 1999. The 1999 Delaware quarter dollars had been released into circulation earlier that month and the editors of Coin World decided to help readers and other collectors find out where these new coins were turning up.
We knew most longtime collectors would welcome new designs but did not know what the general public would think.
It wasn't long before we got that answer in the forms of hundreds of e-mails, telephone calls and letters from noncollectors eager to learn more about the coins and how they could find them.
Coin World started its State quarter dollar coverage because there was nothing in place anywhere designed to give collectors and the general public a forum to report what they were excitedly finding in their pocket change.
When the State quarter dollars program was launched in 1999, Coin World editors and staff debated at length what to report. We decided we would track reports from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Along the way we've had the pleasure of reporting what our fellow world dwellers have found while on vacation or during military service or business travel.
Though these reports have never qualified as First Reports or even Circulation Reports, we still enjoy hearing how and where folks find State quarter dollars.
The noncollector-oriented news media have pretty much forgotten the State quarter dollars program, except for brief coverage of launch ceremonies for each state.
But at one time State quarter dollars attracted the attention of television, newspapers and radio reporters – even Wired magazine, a monthly publication dedicated to technology and its impact on culture, contacted Coin World for an interview about the phenomenal amount of interest in the coin program.
The program has certainly outdistanced expectations and continues to delight collectors – especially those who have yet to see "their" coins in circulation.
Though this is the last year of the program, this will be a special year for those who live in states to be honored in 2008 with a State quarter dollar design: Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii.
How will you make the last year of the State quarter dollars program special? Where will you share what you know about State quarter dollars already in circulation?
Your knowledge and experience can help State quarter dollar collectors transition to the wider world of coin collecting.
First Reports
Robert E. Wehrer of Nebraska reported Dec. 13 that he received a 2007-D Utah quarter dollar in change from a fast food restaurant.
Douglas Jensen of Texas reported Dec. 14 that he received a 2007-P Utah quarter dollar in change from a cafeteria.
Mary Barrett of New Hampshire reported Dec. 17 that a bank was her source for a roll of 2007-P Utah quarter dollars.
Circulation Reports
We did not receive any reports this week.
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