The Statehood Quarter program began in 1999. The program was designed to commemorate each state in the order it received its statehood. Five states were introduced per year. Originally scheduled to end after the 50th coin was released in 2008, the program was extended an additional year and six additional coins were authorized to commemorate the United States Territories. The Statehood Quarter program is credited with generating new interest in the numismatic hobby and led to the United States Mint issuing a number of other circulating commemorative coins for other denominations.
