The Kentucky quarter, the fifth and last quarter in
the 2001 series, shows the stately mansion, Federal
Hill, with an inscription that reads, "My Old Kentucky
Home." A thoroughbred racehorse is positioned behind a
fence in the foreground of the quarter.
Kentucky was the first state on the western frontier
to join the Union and is one of four states to call
itself a "commonwealth." Kentucky is home of the longest
running annual horse race in the country, the Kentucky
Derby. The famous Kentucky Bluegrass country is also
grazing ground for some of the world's finest
racehorses. Also featured on the new quarter is another
prominent symbol of Kentucky, Federal Hill, which has
become known as "My Old Kentucky Home." The design shows
a side view of the famous Bardstown home where Stephen
Foster wrote the state song, "My Old Kentucky Home."
Kentucky's First Lady Judi Patton led the Kentucky
Quarter Project Committee. The Committee received 1,800
design suggestions statewide and narrowed the
submissions down to 12 finalists. The final designs were
displayed in the front lobby of the Capitol and over the
Internet from June 15-17, 1999. Over 50,000 residents of
Kentucky cast votes for their favorite concepts that
included My Old Kentucky Home, a horse and a jockey,
Abraham Lincoln's birthplace, and Daniel Boone. Governor
Paul E. Patton selected the final design that features
"My Old Kentucky Home."