Owner Comments:
2008 is a distinct year in proof sets completing the 10-year State Quarter series. Values of these sets include the popularity and demand from the many collectors who followed the series through the years as well as new and future collectors.
Oklahoma:
Praise to Oklahoma, its heritage and its people themed the Oklahoma State Quarter.
Spanning rim to rim across the design is the state bird, the Scissortail Flycatcher. A welcome bird providing insect control to the farmers.
Forming the background design is the state wildflower, Indian Blanket. Native to Oklahoma its colors, red to yellow, brighten the fields in summer and fall.
Entry into the Union - Oklahoma 1907 - forms the upper part of the design.
As well as receiving a new State Quarter in celebrating Oklahoma's statehood, the date of issue - 2008 - as noted by acting Deputy Director of the Mint Dan Shaver in the celebration speech "Oklahoma quarter serves as an encore to the State's centennial".
New Mexico:
Portraying the theme "Land of Enchantment" the New Mexico State Quarter is dated 2008 along the lower part of the design.
Highly textured with typography showing the varied landscape is a map of New Mexico forming the background of the design.
Detail of the map shows the Rio Grande River noted on the left bordering the raised area of the Rocky Mountains. On the right side of the map is the Pecos River with the Sangre de Cristo mountain range to its side.
Central to the design is the Zia Sun Symbol. Found also on the state flag, the symbol originates from the Zia people an Indian tribe of the New Mexico area.
Noting the date of entry into the Union - New Mexico 1912 - is the upper part of the design.
Arizona:
Panoramic Vistas is the theme of the Arizona State Quarter. Its design captures the beauty of the state and its varied landscape.
A well-defined ribbon inscribed "Grand Canyon State" the nickname for Arizona. The ribbon separates the two distinct designs and elements of the quarter.
An endless view of the Grand Canyon is in the background. Within the design are well detailed steep canyon walls and the flattop terrain. Carved by the Colorado River the canyon is a major attraction to northern Arizona.
In the foreground is the Saguaro Cactus, growing up to 40 feet it is native to the Sonoran Desert region in the southern area of Arizona.
Arizona entered the Union in 1912 dated at the top of the design. 2008 dated at the lower part of the design is the year of issue.
Alaska:
The huge area of the state is the theme of the Alaska State Quarter and "The Great Land" celebrates the vastness. A dynamic scene of a powerful grizzly bear fishing in the swirling rapids at the base of a waterfall fills the design of the Alaska State Quarter. The salmon depicted run the many rapids of the river systems to spawn and are a huge natural resource.
Well detailed within the design is an evergreen tree at the top of the falls symbolizing the forests of Alaska.
Included above the design is the North Star an important aid in exploration and navigation.
Alaska - 1959 - is the year of statehood and at the lower rim - 2008 - year of minting the State Quarter.
Hawaii:
2008 proof set value must include the achievement of the US Mint as the Hawaii State Quarter holds the distinction of the final coin completing the series.
Central to the design is the standing portrait of King Kamehameha I with extended arm towards the Hawaiian Islands. He established the islands under a single leader brining peace and ending the conflicts among the islands. Finely detailed holding a staff and robe.
Eight major islands are depicted spanning outward; Hawaii known as the "The Big Island", Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, and Kahoolawe the small uninhabited island.
Hawaiian saying "UA MAU KE EA O KA AINA I KA PONO" translates to "The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness" is inscribed.
Entry into the Union; Hawaii - 1959 - is above with 2008 the year of minting the coins in the lower area of the design.