Pennsylvania State
Quarter

(United States Mint image.)
Pennsylvania State Quarter
The Pennsylvania quarter, the second coin in the
50 State Quarters® Program, depicts the statue
"Commonwealth," an outline of the state, the state
motto, and a keystone. This design was chosen to
further help educate people about the origins of our
second state, founded on December 12, 1787.
The statue "Commonwealth," designed by New York
sculptor Roland Hinton Perry, is a bronze-gilded 14'
6" high female form that has topped Pennsylvania's
state capitol dome in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania since
May 25, 1905. Her right arm extends in kindness and
her left arm grasps a ribbon mace to symbolize
justice. The image of the keystone honors the states
nickname, "The Keystone State." At a Jefferson
Republican victory rally in October 1802,
Pennsylvania was toasted as "the keystone in the
federal union." The modern persistence of this
designation is justified in view of the key position
of Pennsylvania in the economic, social, and
political development of the United States.
Quarter Specifications
Release Date: March 8, 1999
Reverse (tails) Side: The Keystone State
Engraver: John Mercanti
Standard Weight: 5.670g
Standard Diameter: 24.26mm (0.955 in)
Thickness: 1.75 mm
Edge Detail: Reeded
Composition: Cupro-Nickel Clad
(8.33% Nickel / 91.67% Copper)
View the rest of the State Quarters