Illinois
The land of the great president Lincoln. A young Lincoln, Chicago, and farm scenery are engraved together.
Illinois is a state located in the Midwestern United States, and its nickname is very special. It is “Land of Lincoln.” This is because this was the place where Abraham Lincoln, one of the most respected presidents in the United States, grew from his youth into a politician.
Looking at the reverse of the coin, the state’s pride comes into view at a glance. On the left stands Abraham Lincoln in his youth, and beside him are a vast farm scene and the tall Chicago city skyline together. The state outline is also drawn, and along the edge 21 stars are engraved, divided into 11 on the left and 10 on the right.
These images clearly show the two faces of Illinois. On one side is a peaceful farming country that grows grain, and on the other is Chicago, a great city representing the United States. Countryside and city, past and present, meet side by side on a single coin.
Illinois became the 21st state of the United States on December 3, 1818. The 21 stars engraved on the coin and the inscription “21st state” commemorate this order. The coin also carries the meaning of “21st century,” expressing a mind turned toward a new era.
A single small coin contains a great figure, a wide land, and a lively city all together. When you hold this quarter in your hand, you naturally encounter the stage of the story of how one young man grew into a great leader.