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| The New Jersey
quarter's reverse features General George Washington crossing the
Delaware River. |
New Jersey
The New Jersey quarter, the third coin in the
50 State Quarters™ Program, depicts General George Washington and members of
the Colonial Army crossing the Delaware River en route to very important
victories during the Revolutionary War. The design is based on the 1851 painting
by Emmanuel Leutze, "Washington Crossing the Delaware," which
currently hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
It was a cold Christmas night in 1776 and the
Delaware River was frozen in many places. General George Washington calculated
the enemy would not be expecting an assault in this kind of weather. He and his
soldiers courageously crossed the Delaware River into Trenton, NJ. Using
surprise as their greatest weapon, Washington's army captured over 900 prisoners
and secured the town. Later that night, his army continued towards Princeton,
NJ, again taking the enemy by surprise. These two victories proved very
important to his army as they gave the soldiers courage, hope, and newfound
confidence. The ammunition, food and other supplies confiscated from their
captives also helped them survive the brutal winter of 1777.
The selection process for the New Jersey
quarter began November 17, 1997, when Assembly Joint Resolution Number 68 was
passed to establish the New Jersey Commemorative Coin Design Commission. The 15
members of the Commission were selected for their backgrounds in history, art,
and numismatics. The Commission chose five design concepts for execution into
drawings by the U.S. Mint's Engravers. After consultation with the Citizens
Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee, the Fine Arts Commission, and approval by
the Secretary of the Treasury, three of these designs were returned to New
Jersey Governor, Christine Todd Whitman, for the final design selection. With
her approval, the Commission chose the "Washington Crossing the
Delaware" design, creating the first circulating coin to feature George
Washington on both the obverse and reverse sides.
Images and content courtesy of the United
States Mint
PCGS Nos: 5948, 5949,
913001, 913002
Mintage for circulation:
1999-P 363,200,000
1999-D
Notes:
The finest Uncirculated 1999-P New Jersey examples graded by PCGS are 3
MS-68's. The
finest Uncirculated 1999-D New Jersey example graded by PCGS is a single MS-68. The
finest 1999-S New Jersey Proof Deep Cameo examples graded by PCGS are 7
PRDC-70's. The finest
1999-S New Jersey Proof Deep Cameo "Silver" examples graded by PCGS
are 2 PRDC-70's.
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, July 2003" by The Professional Coin Grading Service
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