FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Michael White (202) 354-7222
Valerie McCaskill (202) 944-5158
NORTH CAROLINA QUARTER TAKES FLIGHT
Newest coin released under U.S. Mint 50 State Quarters1'1 Program honors
Wright Brothers ’ first flight
Raleigh, NC, March 12, 2001 - Nearly a century after the first successful flight took place in Kitty
Hawk, North Carolina, the Wright Brothers’ famous “Flyer” takes flight once again. This time, however,
the flight takes place on the newest quarter released under the United States Mint 50 State Quarters™
Program. During a special ceremony this morning, U.S. Mint Director Jay W. Johnson joins Governor
Michael F. Easley to introduce the 12th coin launched under the successful program. Not surprisingly,
the coin celebrates North Carolina’s significant achievement in aviation.
The coin’s design is a rendition of the famous 1903 photograph, “First Flight," and features the “Flyer”
piloted by Orville Wright as Wilbur Wright watches in the foreground. It is an apt commemoration of the
Wright Brothers’ remarkable launch of the first heavier-than-air, self-propelled flying machine.
“On behalf of the State of North Carolina I want to commend the U.S. Mint for the commemorative
quarters program,” said Gov. Easley. “It is an opportunity to share a bit of North Carolina history with
the rest of the nation.”
"As the North Carolina quarter enters circulation, it becomes the twelfth coin in the 50 State Quarters
Program to celebrate our country’s unique and diverse history,” said Mint Director Johnson. “The Wright
Brothers’ “Flyer,” like the Statue of Liberty, Georgia Peach and Massachusetts Minuteman has become
one of the premier symbols of national heritage to be featured on coinage.”
The celebration, taking place at the North Carolina Museum of History, coincides with the opening of a
new exhibit featuring several original Wright Brothers’ artifacts. Event hosts include the Governor’s
office, the U.S. Mint and the First Flight Centennial Commission.
During the ceremony, fifth grade students from North Ridge Elementary School in Raleigh will be among
the first to receive the new quarters from the Governor, and will later participate in a special kite fly in the
Capital Corridor. Earlier in the year, the students’ teacher, Virginia Byrne, was named “Teacher of the
Year,” by the First Flight Centennial Commission for incorporating aviation and North Carolina history
into her curriculum and lesson plans.
The release of the North Carolina quarter marks the end of production of the New York quarter, released
in January 200 1 . Each new quarter is minted for about 1 0 weeks, after which it is no longer produced.
The new quarters are manufactured at both the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. Together, they produce
all legal tender U.S. circulating coins before being shipped to the Federal Reserve for distribution through
the banking system. The Federal Reserve orders new quarters to ensure an adequate supply to meet the
needs of commerce as commercial banks demand.
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