Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a state located in the northern part of the Midwestern United States, and its nickname is “The Badger State.” It is well known as a region where farming and dairy have developed, and as a place especially famous for milk and cheese, it holds great pride as a land that produces food.

The reverse of the coin depicts a cow’s head, a round wheel of cheese, and an ear of corn together. Corn is Wisconsin’s state grain. And below them lies a banner reading “Forward.” This single word is the motto Wisconsin has long held up.

This image shows by what work Wisconsin has supported people’s lives. The cow and cheese mean the dairy that represents this state, and the corn means the crops that grow on its fertile land. Adding the motto “Forward” to these, it also captures the mindset of working diligently and advancing toward a better tomorrow.

Wisconsin became the 30th state of the United States on May 29, 1848. And so in the 50 States quarter series it was issued 30th, in 2004. With this, the five state coins that came out in 2004 were all completed.

When you place a cow, cheese, and corn side by side on a single small quarter, you naturally think about where the food we eat every day comes from. This coin, which chose everyday food instead of a splendid monument, quietly awakens the value of a life that diligently works the land.