2008 - Arizona State Quarter (D)

The third commemorative quarter-dollar coin released in 2008 honours Arizona, and is the 48th coin in the United States Mint's 50 State Quarters Program. Arizona was admitted into the Union on 14^th February 1912, becoming our Nation's 48th state, and the last in the continental United States.

The Arizona quarter features an image of the Grand Canyon with a Saguaro cactus in the foreground. A banner reading "Grand Canyon State" separates the two images to signify that the Saguaro cactus does not grow in the Grand Canyon. The coin also bears the inscriptions "Arizona" and "1912."

One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon covers more than 1.2 million acres in north-western Arizona. The Canyon, sculpted by the mighty Colorado River, is 6,000 feet deep at its deepest point and 18 miles at its widest. It is home to numerous rare and threatened plant and animal species. The Grand Canyon joined the National Park system in 1919 and is visited by more than four million tourists a year.

Quarter Specifications

Release Date – 2^nd June 2008

Reverse Side - Grand Canyon State

Engraver - Joseph Menna

Standard Weight: 5.670g

Standard Diameter - 24.26mm

Thickness - 1.75 mm

Edge Detail - Reeded

Composition - Cupro-Nickel Clad (8.33% Nickel / 91.67% Copper)