Delaware State Quarters (Buy on eBay) were released on January 4, 1999 as the first coin in the State Quarter series. Delaware’s original Statehood date was December 7, 1787.
The reverse design features Caesar Rodney on horseback. The inscriptions include the State name, Statehood date, mintage date, “E Pluribus Unum,” “Caesar Rodney,” and “The First State.” The coin’s reverse was designed and engraved by William Cousins.
Caesar Rodney was a delegate to the Continental Congress. He rode 80 miles on horseback to cast the deciding vote in favor of independence. In his lifetime, he held more public offices than any other Delaware citizen.
The final design was selected based on a popular vote from the Delaware’s citizens after initial review and approval by the Secretary of the Treasury, Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, and the Commission of Fine Arts. Two other designs considered but not selected featured a quill pen and parchment and a depiction of Lady Liberty.
The Philadelphia mint produced 373,400,000 coins. The Denver mint produced 401,424,000 coins. Proof and Silver proof coins were produced at the San Francisco Mint. The 1999-S Silver Proof Delaware Quarter is generally considered to be the scarcest proof issue to find in top grade of PCGS PR70DCAM or NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo and commands a significant premium.
Delaware Quarter Mintages
- 1999-D Delaware Quarter: 373,400,000
- 1999-P Delaware Quarter: 401,424,000
- 1999-S Proof Delaware Quarter: 3,713,359
- 1999-S Silver Proof Delaware Quarter: 804,565
Delaware Quarter Specifications
- Designers: William Cousins after John Flanagan (obverse), William Cousins (reverse)
- Composition: 91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel (clad), 90% silver, 10% copper (silver proof)
- Diameter: 24.26 mm
- Weight: 5.67 grams
- Thickness: 1.75 mm
- Edge: Reeded
