President Theodore Roosevelt was a huge proponent of creating national parks, including the creation of Yellowstone National Park and Grand Canyon National Park.  It would be interesting to honor President Roosevelt’s contribution to the United States national parks by including him on the obverse of these National Parks quarters.

In addition to being the father of the United States National Parks, Teddy Roosevelt ushered in many modern US coin designs.  Prior to the Roosevelt Administration, US coinage was dominated by the designs of Charles E. Barber.  You had the Barber Dime, Barber Quarter, and Barber Half Dollar all containing the famous Barber coin design.  But, President Roosevelt did not like the Barber coin design and he reached out to Augustus Saint Gaudens, Victor David Brenner and Bela Lyon Pratt to create some new coin designs.

I think that it would be great to temporarily remove George Washington from the US quarter.  However, I would not want George Washington to be removed forever.  I think George Washington deserves to be on our coinage.  Maybe, during the National Parks Quarters Program, the United States Mint could produce a George Washington Half Dollar.  But, no matter, Theodore Roosevelt National Parks Quarters would be great.

The five US territory quarters will include,

• Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Quarter
• Guam Quarter
• American Samoa Quarter
• U.S. Virgin Islands Quarter
• Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Quarter

The 2009 Quarters Proof Sets can be purchased directly from the United States Mint for $14.95.  If you like collecting state quarters, I highly recommend buying the state quarter proof sets.  Proof sets really make the coins look beautiful.  Each proof state quarter has a frosted cameo finish which just makes them look great.

Are you going to buy the 2009 District of Columbia & U.S. Territories Quarters Proof Sets?

For me, my favorite thing about the 50 state quarter program is how each coin teaches us about the history of the United States and the history of that particular state.  The second factor that I considered was the beauty of the image on the state quarter reverse.  I think that every coin collector has their opinion of the top 10 state quarters.  In the comments below, please share with us your list of state quarters that you like.

Here is a list of my top 10 state quarter coins:

1.  Delaware State Quarter

Delaware State Quarter

The Delaware State Quarter is my favorite coin.  I love the story of Continental Congress Delegate Caesar Rodney.  Caesar Rodney rode all night from Delaware to Philadelphia in order to cast the deciding vote to declare our independence from Great Britain.

2.  New Jersey State Quarter

New Jersey State Quarter

My second favorite state quarter is the New Jersey state quarter.  For this coin I love both the history behind this coin and the picture.  This coin depicts General Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River before the battle of Trenton.  The battle of Trenton was a major victory for the U.S. Continental Army.

3.  Massachusetts State Quarter

Massachusetts State Quarter

You are probably seeing a trend in my favorite state quarter coins.  I love learning about the American Revolutionary War.  I love the picture of the Minuteman in the Massachusetts state quarter.  I think that the citizen soldier is a great symbol of America’s patriotism.

4.  Connecticut State Quarter

Connecticut State Quarter

The Connecticut quarter has a picture of The Charter Oak.  In 1687, Britain challenged to colonial government of Connecticut.  In order to save the Connecticut Charter, Joseph Wadsworth snatched the Charter document and hid it from the British in an old oak tree, The Charter Oak.

5.  Vermont State Quarter

Vermont State Quarter

The Vermont Quarter design is the first state quarter that I have picked based solely on its design and not its historic meaning.  I think that the picture on the Vermont State Quarter nails the image that many Americans have of Vermont.

6.  Colorado State Quarter

Colorado State Quarter

I think that Colorado State Quarter is the most beautiful of all the coins in the 50 state quarter program.  The image of the mountains on the silver quarter is gorgeous.

7.  Oregon State Quarter

Oregon State Quarter

The Oregon State Quarter depicts Lake Crater.  I love the way the artist uses the shiny silver as the water of the lake.

8.  Alaska State Quarter

Alaska State Quarter

I typically don’t like coins with busy images.  While I do find the Alaska State Quarter to be a little busy for my taste, the grizzly bear is beautiful.

9.  Utah State Quarter

Utah State Quarter

I like the Utah state quarter for both the history it conveys and its design.  The completion of the continental railroad is one of the most important events in United States history.  I also love the picture of the trains with the matte finished mountains behind them.

10.  New Hampshire State Quarter

New Hampshire State Quarter

The last coin making my top 10 state quarter list is the New Hampshire State Quarter.  I love the “Live Free or Die” motto of New Hampshire.  Additionally, the Old Man of the Mountain is one of the coolest natural wonders of the United States.

Wyoming State Quarter Reverse

As you can see the Wyoming state quarter depicts a cowboy riding a bucking bronco.  On the saddlehorn of the saddle, there is an extra impression of the tip of the saddlehorn.  This type of coin error is called a double die error.

A double die error is caused when the coin die is tilted and shakes during the minting process.  When this minting error occurs, the double die leaves a second impression.  In the case of this state quarter coin error, there is a second impression of the tip of the saddlehorn.

It is always neat when these state quarter coin errors are found.  Do you have any Wyoming state quarters that might have this coin error?

2008 United States Mint Set

If you haven’t bought the 2008 U.S. Mint Sets, they do make a good Christmas gift.  You could ask a loved on to buy them for you for Christmas, or you could give them as a Christmas gift.  I love giving coin mint sets as gifts.  They are perfect for gifts for kids or for people who are hard to buy for.

The 2008 United States Mint Sets includes,

• 2008 P & D Lincoln Cent
• 2008 P & D Jefferson Nickel
• 2008 P & D Roosevelt Dime
• 2008 P & D Oklahoma State Quarter
• 2008 P & D New Mexico State Quarter
• 2008 P & D Arizona State Quarter
• 2008 P & D Alaska State Quarter
• 2008 P & D Hawaii State Quarter
• 2008 P & D Kennedy Half Dollar
• 2008 P & D Sacagawea Dollar
• 2008 P & D James Monroe Dollar
• 2008 P & D John Quincy Adams Dollar
• 2008 P & D Andrew Jackson Dollar
• 2008 P & D Martin Van Buren Dollar

This is a great way to get all of the 2008 state quarters and presidential dollars.  So, don’t forget to buy your 2008 United States Mint Sets.