The Massachusetts quarter's reverse bears a likeness of the celebrated Minuteman of the American Revolution against an outline of the state.

Massachusetts

The Massachusetts quarter, the first quarter of the new millennium, features a design of "The Minuteman," a famous statue that stands guard at The Minuteman National Historical Park in Concord, Massachusetts.

The selected design captures a piece of the Bay State's exceptional history. The Minutemen played a big role in protecting our nation, as they rallied together to help defeat the British during the Revolutionary War. These small, influential forces consisting of regular farmers and colonists, were always at-the-ready and were trained to assemble and fight on just a minute's notice-hence the term 'minutemen'.

In February 1998, Governor Paul Cellucci initiated a unique contest encouraging Massachusetts elementary school students to submit designs for the state's commemorative quarter - and more than 100 did! A 10-member advisory council then narrowed the finalist field to five proposals. After receiving final approval from former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, Governor Cellucci and Lt. Governor Jane Swift announced the selected design concept in June 1999. The Minuteman design concept was submitted by a sixth grader and a seventh grader. So far, Massachusetts remains the only state to limit its design contest to children.

Images and content courtesy of the United States Mint

PCGS Nos: 5954, 5955, 913007, 913008

Mintage for circulation:
2000-P   628,600,000
2000-D   535,184,000

Notes:
The finest Uncirculated 2000-P Massachusetts examples graded by PCGS are 2 MS-69's.

The finest Uncirculated 2000-D Massachusetts example graded by PCGS is a single MS-69.

The finest 2000-S Massachusetts Proof Deep Cameo examples graded by PCGS are 1977 PRDC-69's.

The finest 2000-S Massachusetts Proof Deep Cameo "Silver" examples graded by PCGS are 10 PRDC-70's.

Chattanooga Coin, Inc. reported finding 518 blank Quarter Dollar planchets in a mint-sealed bag of 2000-P Massachusetts Quarters.  Graded by NGC, the coins were offered at $49 each.  (Coin World advertisement, February 16, 2004, page 37)

Sources and/or recommended reading:
United States Mint website at www.usmint.gov

"New Feature Follows Sales, Mintages" by Ray Sidman, NUMISMATIC NEWS, September 5, 2000, page 24

"The PCGS Population Report, January 2004" by The Professional Coin Grading Service