Commemorative State Quarter
for New Mexico

Coin Issued: April 7, 2008 - the 2nd coin released in 2008

Statehood: January 6, 1912 - the 47th State

Inscriptions: "New Mexico 1912", "Land of Enchantment"

Description: A Zia Sun Symbol located over the outline of New Mexico.

At the bottom of the coin is the issue date (2008) and the motto "E Pluribus Unum". The motto is Latin for "Out of Many, One", recognizing that out of the many colonies (or states) emerged a single nation.

The distinctive Zia Sun Symbol consists of a circle from which four points radiate. Each of those points consist of four straight lines. The circle represents life and love without beginning or end.

The Zia Sun Symbol originated with the Indians of Zia Pueblo and it represents the Giver of All Good, who gave gifts in groups of four: The directions of the compass (north, east, south and west), the seasons of the year (spring, summer, fall and winter), the parts of a day (sunrise, noon, sunset and the night), the phases of life (childhood, youth, manhood and old age). In addition, their belief that man has four sacred obligations: he must have a strong body, a clear mind, a pure spirit and a devotion to the welfare of his people.

Engravers: The Reverse design (the State-side of the Quarter) was created by Don Everhart (search an actual coin for the engraver's initials: 'de').

The original Observe design (the front or Washington-side of the Quarter) was created by John Flanagan and first appeared in 1932. For the 50 State Quarters series, Flanagan's design was modified by William Cousins: the portrait of Washington was slightly reduced to accomodate the moving of the legends from the Reverse to the Obverse.

Coin Specifications:

Number of Coins Minted:

America-the-Beautiful Quarter Series:

The quarter for the Chaco Culture National Historical Park (located in northwest New Mexico) will be issued in 2012. It will be the second coin issued in 2012 and the 12th coin (of 56) in the America-the-Beautiful Quarter series.

The following quarters will be issued in 2012: El Yunque National Forest (Puerto Rico), Chaco Culture National Historical Park (New Mexico), Acadia National Park (Maine), Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (Hawaii) & Denali National Park (Alaska).