Arkansas State Quarters (Buy on eBay) were released on October 20, 2003 as the twenty-fifth coin in the State Quarter series. Arkansas’s original Statehood date was August 10, 1821.
The reverse design features rice stalks, a diamond, and a mallard. The inscriptions include the State name, Statehood date, mintage date, and “E Pluribus Unum.” The coin’s reverse was designed by Dortha Scott and engraved by John Mercanti.
Arkansas is home to the Crater of Diamonds State Park, the oldest diamond mine in North America. The reverse design features a mallard flying above a lake to represent the state’s many natural lakes. Rice stalks are also used since Arkansas is the leading producer of grain in the United States.
The governor organized the Arkansas Quarter Challenge, which resulted in more than 9,000 entries. A number of finalist designs were sent to the US Mint. The governor made the final design selection. Other concepts considered but not chosen included Arkansas’ natural resources and the State Capitol Building.
The Philadelphia mint produced 228,000,000 coins. The Denver mint produced 229,800,000 coins. The San Francisco Mint produced clad proof and 90% silver proof coins for inclusion in government issued proof sets.
Arkansas Quarter Mintages
- 2003-P Arkansas Quarter: 228,000,000
- 2003-D Arkansas Quarter: 229,800,000
- 2003-S Proof Arkansas Quarter: 3,408,516
- 2003-S Silver Proof Arkansas Quarter: 1,125,755
Arkansas Quarter Specifications
- Designers: William Cousins after John Flanagan (obverse), Dortha Scott (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
