The New York quarter, the first quarter of 2001, features the Statue of Liberty superimposed over an outline of the state along with the inscription "Gateway to Freedom." Also incorporated into the state outline is a line tracing the Hudson River and the route of the Erie Canal.

This final New York design celebrates the "Empire State" as a point of entry for millions of immigrants seeking the political freedom and democracy that American citizenship provides. President Grover Cleveland accepted the Statue of Liberty, a gift from the people of France, on behalf of the United States on October 28, 1886. Lady Liberty was designated a National Monument on October 15, 1924 and underwent extensive restoration for her remarkable centennial on July 4, 1986. Governor George E. Pataki asked the U.S. Mint to add the line tracing the Hudson River and the route of the Erie Canal because of the vital developmental role of the waterways.

Governor Pataki's office requested design ideas from the residents of New York and received hundreds of suggestions from school children, history buffs, graphic artists and coin collectors across the state. On June 19, 2000, Governor Pataki unveiled five candidate designs. They included Henry Hudson and his ship, the HalfMoon; a rendering of the historic painting, "Battle of Saratoga;" the Statue of Liberty; and the New York Federal Building. New Yorkers were encouraged to write or email Pataki's office to vote for their favorite design. After receiving 76 percent of the vote, Governor Pataki officially selected the Statue of Liberty design.