Owner Comments:
Popularity of the State Quarters Program continues adding value to the 2005 US Mint proof sets.
California:
With a wide-angle view of Yosemite Valley, the California State Quarter highlights the achievements of John Muir.
Entering the Union in 1850 is above the scene with 2005 dating the year of the quarter entering circulation.
Pictured is a California condor in front of a view of the spectacular Half Dome, a granite formation.
John Muir, an early naturalist promoted conserving Yosemite Valley for the future.
Minnesota:
Minnesota's official nickname and also the theme of the coin "Land of 10,000 Lakes" is portraited within a textured outline of the state.
A lakeshore in the background is well detailed with vegetation and trees leading to a shoreline. Gliding on the water, foreground is a reconzible common loon - great northern diver. Fisherman in a small boat are also enjoying the resources provided by the many lakes.
All elements of the design are rendered in high detail. Identifying the state and 1858 its entry into the union is above the design. Along the lower edge is 2005 signifying the year the state quarter entered circulation.
Of note: the Mississippi river traces it source to Minnesota and is found in Itasca State Park, a protected wilderness since 1891.
Oregon:
Oregon celebrates one of its natural wonders; Crater Lake on the reverse design of the State Quarter.
Crater Lake recorded to a depth of 1,949 feet is considered the deepest lake in the US. Its beautiful deep blue color and scenic setting is viewed by visitors to Crater Lake National Park.
Well detailed within the lake design is a rendering of Wizard Island and framing the background of the rim are Watchman and Hillman Peaks.
Noting Oregon's entry into the Union - 1859 is minted at the top. Year of the State Quarter production and circulation is 2005 along the lower rim.
Kansas:
Designed by Norman Nemeth the reverse of the Kansas State Quarter is impressive in its detail. Kansas whose official state symbol is a sunflower and also state nickname is referenced on the quarter with three highly engraved sunflowers.
Striding forward is an iconic symbol of Kansas the American Bison. Flat to rolling terrain of grasslands support herds of bison to this day. Looking closely at the design; intricate detail finds a well-defined head, horns, eyes and the long fur notable to the bison. Both the sunflower and buffalo are represented well.
Kansas is celebrated as entering the Union in 1861 at the top of the quarter. 2005 issue date of the State Quarter is below the design. "E Pluribus Unum" (Out of Many, One) - in its permanent position thought the entire State Quarters series, is along the lower rim.
West Virginia:
West Virginia State Quarter displays the rugged beauty and achievements of the state.
Central to the design and portraited edge to edge on the quarter is the New River Gorge Bridge, an engineering triumph of 1977. Constructed of steel, the 1,700-foot arch supports the 3,030 ft. long bridge. All towering 876 feet above the New river below.
Forming the background to the bridge is a very detailed view of the New River Gorge identified on the design. The waterway; The New River flowing under the bridge is considered one of the oldest rivers in the world. Landscape of the scene includes well detailed trees, ridges and rock outcroppings at rivers edge. Life scale of the design depicts a scene hundreds of acres in dimension.
West Virginia entered the Union June of 1863 minted at the top of the design. 2005 denotes the year the State Quarter was struck and entered circulation.