Tulsa World: Mint unveils design of Oklahoma quarter

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Mint unveils design of Oklahoma quarter

Oklahoma’s state quarter, which should be available in late January, features the state bird, the scissortail flycatcher, and the state wildflower, the Indian blanket. U.S. Mint

By JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau
Published: 11/28/2007 1:20 AM
Last Modified: 11/28/2007 1:20 AM

A scissortail flycatcher will be featured on the coin, the first in the final set of five state quarters.

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Mint announced the state quarter designs Tuesday for Oklahoma and four other states, marking the end of the most popular coin program in U.S. history.

Oklahoma's quarter will kick off the final five and is expected to be available in late January.

Its design features Oklahoma's state bird, the scissortail flycatcher, in flight with its distinctive tail feathers spread as it soars above the state wildflower, the Indian blanket, and a field of similar wildflowers.

The coin also will bear the inscriptions "Oklahoma" and "1907."

"It's fitting that Oklahoma's commemorative quarter has been unveiled during this year of our centennial," Gov. Brad Henry said. "I want to thank the tens of thousands of Oklahomans who took part in the voting process and made their voices heard."

Henry's written statement also repeated a comment on the challenge of distilling Oklahoma's rich heri tage and diverse culture into a single design.

Representatives of his office and the U.S. Mint confirmed that the design submitted earlier was not altered.

According to figures released earlier this year by Henry's office, that winning design received nearly 77,000 votes compared with the nearly 72,000 combined votes garnered by designs featuring Ponca City's Pioneer Woman statue.

Other state quarters making up the final batch include those honoring New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii.

"The American people have made the 50 State Quarters the most successful coins in United States histo ry," Mint Director Ed Moy said in a written statement. "These quarters have embodied the American spirit and have been a source of state pride. Citizens were passionate in choosing images that represent what is wonderful about their states."

More than 140 million Americans are collecting the state quarters.

Introduced annually since 1999, the quarters have been released in the order in which the states were admitted to the union.

Mint spokesman Michael White said each quarter is minted for about 10 weeks.

Jim Myers (202) 484-1424
jim.myers@tulsaworld.com

By JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau

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	Report Comment jam, tulsa (11/28/2007 6:23:16 AM) The coin will look great! Thanks goodness it's not the pioneer woman.
	Report Comment E T, tulsa (11/28/2007 7:17:44 AM) they should have put a pic of a lottery ticket and a casino on it. that is what our state has become, a low class las vegas. by the way, the pioneer woman would have been much better than a stupid bird. but then we have always had bird brains for legislatures and governors. gene stipe is a good example.
	Report Comment Mike, Sand Springs (11/28/2007 7:37:34 AM) Don't forget all-night cigarette stands, meth labs, embarrasing religious leaders, embarrasing U.S. senators. My vote was for "Gusty".
	Report Comment sunshine, (11/28/2007 8:09:08 AM) I think if you guys feel that OK is that bad it may be time to pack up and move to what you would consider a better place.
	Report Comment WilliamTheArtist, Tulsa (11/28/2007 8:14:49 AM) Beautiful, unique, elegant, coin.
	Report Comment Howard, Tulsa (11/28/2007 8:34:14 AM) With this state's recent regression in tolerance of other races and religions, the motto "from many, one" no longer holds true. "E pluribus unim" should be replaced by "GIT R DONE!"
	Report Comment Trish , Tulsa (11/28/2007 8:51:21 AM) Hey Skumbags, If you do not like this state, get the he!! out. This state may have problems, but there are still a lot of good, honest people here. If your not happy, go back to Arkansa and join your inbred family.
	Report Comment Josh A, Tulsa (11/28/2007 9:03:10 AM) I love Oklahoma, but a bird and flowers? Are you serious? I voted for our quarter so I feel I have a right to bitch. Oklahoma's roots are grounded in oil. We should have had the oil derrick on there, not some dumb bird and flowers. The entire US is going to be looking at our quarter wondering "What the hell?" Or is you don't like oil, at least put a picture of us kicking a group of Mexicans back to Texas.
	Report Comment Howard, Tulsa (11/28/2007 9:10:58 AM) Trish, does the US Constitution still apply to Arkansas? Even the parts about Freedom of Religion and Equal Protection? If so, I may move there.
	Report Comment Ignatz, Broken Bow (11/28/2007 9:54:31 AM) I still think a portrait of a pot-bellied, gap-toothed good old boy in an OU sweatshirt with a "Vote Inhofe" button, wearing an NRA cap, and holding a quart of beer would have been more iconic of our great State. Well, as a sop to the oil industry perhaps in his other hand he could be holding a hot water bottle with syringe to demonstrate how that group has dealt with the rest of us over the years.
	Report Comment Terry, Tulsa (11/28/2007 10:46:23 AM) New Hampshire's quarter featured the "Old Man of the Mountain", which then disappeared in 2003 in a rock fall. I hope the scissortails don't disappear.
	Report Comment carltonplace, Tulsa (11/28/2007 10:48:57 AM) As Oklahomans it is our God given right to complain. Even about something as inoccuous as the design on our state coin. See above. Personally I think it's a great design and it makes me proud to be an Oklahoman.
	Report Comment Courtney, Tulsa (11/28/2007 10:53:35 AM) I think the design is great. It makes me proud to be an Oklahoman, even though I am displaced at the moment. There will always be those who complain...you can't make everybody happy...this is a prime example.
	Report Comment JW, (11/28/2007 12:44:01 PM) thank goodness no Indians or women. Now Oklahoma will see an influx of hippies looking for flowers and birds.
	Report Comment jw, (11/28/2007 12:45:43 PM) Oklahoma making fun of Arkansas....pot meet kettle.
	Report Comment SC, (11/28/2007 3:26:14 PM) How about a toll booth and traffic cones....
	Report Comment Jack Hoff, Broken Arrow (11/28/2007 3:39:49 PM) Our state is based on stealing land that had been promised to the Indians. We honor the cheaters with the state's nickname. I don't know how you signify that on a coin, but that's the truth. Barry Switzer should be on the Oklahoma quarter. After all, this is Switzer-land.
	Report Comment Jeff, (11/28/2007 4:50:50 PM) Neat quarter, I'll take one for my collection!
	Report Comment Tia, (11/28/2007 5:24:44 PM) Why the scissortail flycatcher? There were so many other great designs that I am still suprised this design was chosen. I do not think it is a good description of Oklahoma, especially considering everyone in the world will be seeing these quarters. What about the ag industry, the american indian, the land runs? In high school we have to study Oklahoma history and for only being 100 years old we are rich in history. I think this another example of poor planning for a state's quarter.
	Report Comment Hi Tia Momma Mia, (11/28/2007 5:41:16 PM) The scissor tail flycatcher is the state bird genius. If you study Oklahoma history in school then you should know this.
	Report Comment cb, (11/28/2007 7:04:38 PM) I like the new quarter. By the way, I did get the h*** out of Oklahoma, and I have never been happier!
	Report Comment Kirby L. Wallace, Tulsa, OK (11/28/2007 7:09:13 PM) I think an oil rig would have been more historically accurate and more interesting. Still, it is a nice coin. BTW - I'm very happy to be an Okie transplant (from Florida). 19 years and happily counting off more. Our senators and congressman make me quite proud to be an Okie. We are one of the few states left, it seems, that actually stand on the issues we believe in. Everyone else has caved in to Politically Correct, Leftist lunacy.
	Report Comment Jerky Jerkison, (11/29/2007 8:52:55 AM) CB.. # 21.. Us Okies have never been happier since you left either! Good riddance.
	Report Comment Chuck, Tulsa (11/29/2007 9:14:22 AM) I think the new quarter is nice, frankly I was suprised to see something so tasteful in a land of dis-taste. Adding my two cents along with all the other comments about the Oklahoma, I see it this way. The world is comprsed of 1st, 2nd and 3rd world countries, I have visited countries that fall into each of these categories. Comparitavely you could say the U.S. is comprised of 1st, 2nd and 3rd world states, again I have spent extensive amounts of time in states that would fall into each of these categories. Oklahoma is a third world state.
	Report Comment AzureSky, Phillips (11/29/2007 11:30:31 AM) #24 I was born in Oklahoma in 1944 because our family was from the Gulf Coast of Texas. Our dad thought it not safe there while he was off protecting our country at war and moved his 2 children and pregnant wife to safety at my Grandparent's home. I was raised on that Gulf Coast ,between Galveston and Houston and, Oh How I miss the sandy beach and crabbing,my friends. But I moved back to Oklahoma for SAFETY ! Honest people,good hearted. I feel safe outside my home at night. There is danger on the streets of America. Picture this : 11:30 AM ,I ,a gray headed great granny being approached while putting trash for pickup in front of my owned home, by driver by who inquired if I wanted to buy drugs? When told no,was threatened with,I know where you live ! I've Been there ,and Done that ,as far as living in Houston like areas ,and I think something is being lost in your reference of "Third World" I've come to realize that while Oklahoma may be considered" Lost in the Fifty's" that's a complement to the people's of this Great State. Be Proud Oklahoma ,Be Very Proud !! I AM ! I was born here and again call it HOME !! AzureSky

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