I am sure you remember the U.S. Mint’s 50 State Quarters Program a 10-year initiative that honored each of the nation’s states in the order they ratified the Constitution or were admitted into the Union.

Each quarter displays a design highlighting something special about each state.  The designs are on the tail side of the quarter focusing on the history, geography and rich diversity of our national heritage evident in each of our beautiful states.

Today, we must ask “Have you ever looked at the design on the back of a quarter lately?” We ask this because most of are not collecting them and placing them in booklets as much as when the program launched in 1999.

The Travel Bags With Annita team wondered why particular designs and items were chosen to represent each state? To answer our curiosity, we’re starting a project called “Quarter Miles” that will encourage all curious minds to travel and find out for themselves. If it was emblematic enough of the state to represent it on the back of a quarter for all to see, it must be worth experiencing.

As we travel to various states during the year, we will note what makes the quarter come alive when you’re there visiting. We want to take it a step further and have you get involved.  Share your state with us and tell us about the history, geography or people that make the design ring true.

We’re starting with Georgia so here’s a bit of trivia about the original U.S. Mint’s program and our home state – the Georgia State Quarter

A little bit of trivia about the U.S. Mint’s 50 States Quarters Program

– Launched in 1999
– 10-Year initiative to highlight and honor each of the nation’s states in the order they ratified the Constitution or were admitted into the Union
– Each quarter was produced for about ten weeks and not created afterward
– State designs are displayed on the reverse (tails) of the quarters,
– The front or heads of the quarter display the familiar image of George Washington.
– To accommodate state designs on the tails side, the words “United States of America,” “Quarter Dollar,” “Liberty,” and “In God We Trust” all appear on the front or heads side of the quarter.
– Purpose was to promote knowledge of individual states, their history and geography, and rich diversity of our national heritage
– Parents, teachers, and schools were encouraged to include learning opportunities to children. Many parents along with their children collected quarters from each state placing them in collectible booklets
– The coins are helpful in teaching not only geography but, math, social studies, and history
– Five quarters were introduced from 1999 – 2008
– First quarters were Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia and Connecticut
– Last quarters were Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, and Hawaii

Georgia’s state quarter

The Georgia peach is prominently featured

– The 4th Quarter introduced
– 4th State of the Union in the Year 1788
– Date – January 2
– Live Oak – the official state tree
– Wisdom, Justice, Moderation (The state motto)
– When visiting Georgia – a trip to Atlanta to visit the Atlanta History Center, The state Capitol and King Center are great starts to learning more about the Great state of Georgia.
– Heading further south, a visit to the coastal area and Savannah, which was the center of colonial government in Georgia for half a century.
– James Edward Oglethorpe along with 114 original settlers founded Georgia on Feb. 12, 1733, at what is presently the city of Savannah. You’ll find live oaks along the coast

When visiting Georgia try some peachy items.  Jams, Ciders and fresh peaches. Yum!  Here are our suggestions and you can pick up these items at Jaemore Farms just north of downtown Gainesville, GA