The Massachusetts Quarter begins the second year in the U.S. Mints historic 50 States Quarter Program. It is the first state quarter to be issued in 2000 and is also the first U.S. coin of the new millennium. The Massachusetts Quarter features a Minuteman a Revolutionary-era soldier who was required to be ready for action at a minutes notice. The image of the Minuteman on the Massachusetts Quarter is based on the statue by Daniel Chester French at Concord. It was dedicated in 1875 on the100th anniversary of the battles of Lexington and Concord and has become a timeless symbol of American patriotism. Surrounding the Minuteman is an outline of Massachusetts, with the capital, Boston, indicated by a star. The Bay State is the states nickname and refers to the magnificent Massachusetts Bay that extends from Cape Ann to Cape Cod.
Each uncirculated quarter is layered 7 times in pure 24 karat gold. Each coin is encapsulated to protect it's condition.
In December 1997, America's most adventurous coin program became a reality when President Clinton signed legislation authorizing the U.S. Mint to issue the innovative 50 State Quarters collection. Starting in January 1999, each of the 50 states in the Union will be honored on a unique Quarter Dollar commemorative coin. Five states will be featured each year, based on the order in which they ratified the Constitution or became states. Due to the aggressive minting schedule, each State Quarter will be minted for only about 10 weeks. As a result, mintages of each quarter only are to be just a fraction of the "normal" quarters are. Regular issue coins will be minted at both the Philadelphia and the Denver Mints. On the front, otherwise known as the obverse, the specific mintmarks can be found to the right of George Washington's portrait. The small "P" indicates the Philadelphia Mint and the small "D" refers to the Denver.
2000 Massachusetts 24 Karat Gold Quarter - Philadelphia
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