Uncovering America's Heritage... Coin by Coin

2004 Michigan Quarter

Hi!  It's me, Plinky.  And it's my turn to pick a coin of the month.  You already know I picked the Michigan quarter.  And I guess you know that this quarter comes out this month, so that's a good enough reason to pick it.  But I have another reason.

Do you see "1837" in the design?  That's the year Michigan became part of the United States.  But guess which month in 1837 Michigan joined the Union.

January!  January 26th, to be exact.  That makes the state...how old?  Let's see...2004 minus 1837...167 years!  (That was a hard one!)

And because Michigan is state number 26 out of 50, it begins the second half of the 50 State Quarters^® Program.  Did you know that Michigan is the only state that touches four of the five Great Lakes?  In fact, its nickname is "the Great Lakes State."  As you might guess, there are lots of fans of boating and water sports there.

The lakes are so big that you can see them from outer space!  (Well, maybe not you...but astronauts can!)

Anyway, happy 167th birthday, Michigan!