
Nebraska The second commemorative quarter-dollar
coin released in 2006 honors Nebraska, and is the 37th coin in the
United States Mint's 50 State Quarters® Program. Nebraska, nicknamed the
"Cornhusker State," was admitted into the Union on March 1, 1867,
becoming our Nation's 37th state. Nebraska's quarter depicts an ox-drawn
covered wagon carrying pioneers in the foreground and Chimney Rock, the
natural wonder that rises from the valley of North Platte River,
measuring 445 feet from base to tip. The sun is in full view behind the
wagon. The coin also bears the inscriptions "Nebraska," "Chimney Rock"
and "1867."
Chimney Rock was designated a National Historic Site on August 9, 1956,
and is maintained and operated by the Nebraska State Historical Society.
Practically anywhere travelers go in Nebraska they will encounter
reminders of America's westward expansion. The state is crisscrossed by
the Oregon and Mormon Trails, the Pony Express, the Lewis and Clark
Trail, the Texas-Ogallala Trail and the Sidney-Deadwood Trail.
The Nebraska State Quarter Design Committee accepted nearly 6,500
quarter design ideas from citizens. Four of these were forwarded to the
United States Mint and were used as the basis for narrative designs that
were created by United States Mint sculptor-engravers and artists in the
United States Mint's Artistic Infusion Program. Nebraska Governor Dave
Heineman announced his recommendation of "Chimney Rock" on June 1, 2005.
The Department of the Treasury approved the design on July 20, 2005.
The three other design concepts considered during the final selection
process were "The Capitol," featuring a rendition of the architecturally
striking State Capitol in Lincoln; "The Sower," depicting the figure
that stands atop the Nebraska Capitol, representing Nebraska's standing
as an agricultural leader; and "Chief Standing Bear," paying tribute to
the Ponca Indian Chief.
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