Alabama State Quarters (Buy on eBay) were released on March 17, 2003 as the twenty-second coin in the State Quarter series. Alabama’s original Statehood date was December 14, 1819.
The reverse design features Helen Keller reading Braille. The inscriptions include the State name, Statehood date, mintage date, “E Pluribus Unum,” “Helen Keller” and a banner reading “Spirit of Courage.” The coin’s reverse was designed and engraved by Norman E. Nemeth.
Helen Keller was born in Alabama and lost her sight and hearing after an illness. She managed to learn to read and write and graduate college with honors. The reverse of the quarter includes her name written in Braille.
An open competition for designs was held for the Alabama Quarter. Of the thousands of submissions from students, three concepts were chosen and forwarded to the United States Mint. The governor selected the final design featuring Helen Keller, “Spirit of Courage.” The other finalist concepts included Alabama’s role in social movements and Alabama’s social and economic history.
The Philadelphia mint produced 225,000,000 coins. The Denver mint produced 232,400,000 coins. The San Francisco Mint produced clad proof and 90% silver proof coins for inclusion in government issued proof sets.
Alabama Quarter Mintages
- 2003-P Alabama Quarter: 225,000,000
- 2003-D Alabama Quarter: 232,400,000
- 2003-S Proof Alabama Quarter: 3,408,516
- 2003-S Silver Proof Alabama Quarter: 1,125,755
Alabama Quarter Specifications
- Designers: William Cousins after John Flanagan (obverse), Norman E. Nemeth (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
