The Connecticut Quarter
The Connecticut quarter, the last 50 State Quarters® Program coin issued in 1999, features the "Charter Oak," an integral part of Connecticut's heritage and existence. If not for the famed tree, Connecticut—and this country in general—might be a very different place than it is today! The "Charter Oak" On the night of October 31, 1687, Connecticut's Charter was put to a test. A British representative for King James II challenged Connecticut's government structure and demanded its surrender. In the middle of the heated discussion, with the Charter on the table between the opposing parties, the candles were mysteriously snuffed out, darkening the room.  When visibility was reestablished, the Connecticut Charter had vanished. Heroic Captain Joseph Wadsworth saved the Charter from the hands of the British and concealed it in the safest place he could find—a majestic white oak.  This famous tree, "The Charter Oak," finally fell during a great storm on August 21, 1856. Choosing the Design In a press release issued February 3, 1998, Governor John G. Rowland announced the Connecticut Coin Design Competition. More than 112 citizens ranging from ages six to 87 from 46 cities and towns submitted design concept entries to the Connecticut Commission on the Arts.  Nineteen entrants submitted renditions of the Charter Oak and five of those were selected and forwarded to the United States Mint. Following the required review and approval process, three designs were returned to Governor Rowland for consideration. The Connecticut Commemorative Coin Design Competition Review Committee, with the governor's approval, unanimously selected the Connecticut circulating quarter design. Twenty-three people from 18 towns received honorable mentions for their design concepts. The 50 State Quarter ProgramSigned into law in 1997, the 50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act has become the most successful numismatic program in American history, with roughly half of the U.S. population collecting the coins, either in a casual manner or as a serious pursuit. The program produces five different reverse designs each year for ten years—each representing a different state—the order of which is determined by the order states were admitted to the Union. Design concepts are submitted to the Secretary of the Treasury by state governors for final approval. The obverse of each quarter is a slight redesign of the quarter's previous design. The cost to manufacture a quarter is about 5 cents, providing a profit of approximately 20 cents per coin. So far, the federal government has made a profit of $4.6 billion from collectors taking the coins out of circulation. In 2009, the U.S. Mint launched a separate program issuing quarters commemorating the District of Columbia and various U.S. territories.
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	PROFILE
	Release Date:	June 14, 2006
	Design:	Charter Oak tree
	Captions:	"The Charter Oak" "Connecticut 1788"
	Designer:	T. James Farrell
	Engraver:	T. James Farrell
	Mintage:	Denver Mint   - 657,880,000 Philadelphia Mint   - 688,744,000 Total   -1,346,624,000
	SPECIFICATIONS
	Denomination:	Quarter Dollar
	Composition:	Copper Nickel alloy 91.67% Cu 8.33% Ni
	Weight:	2.000 oz (5.670 g)
	Diameter:	0.955 in (24.26 mm)
	Thickness:	0.07 in (1.75 mm)
	Edge:	Reeded
	No. of Reeds:	119
	Data Source: The U.S. Mint.