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Pennsylvania Quarters – Keystone, Statue, and MottoPennsylvania quarters are the second issue of the 50 State Quarters program of the US Mint that began in 1999.A number of historic symbols and associations were available to those who submitted designs for the Pennsylvania quarters. The Continental Congress frequently met in Philadelphia, the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were drafted there, and significant battles of the Revolutionary War were fought there. But these events are of significance to the nation in its entirety. The keystone, statue, and motto that actually appear on the Pennsylvania State Quarter celebrate important aspects of Pennsylvania history in particular. These three devices, positioned over a simple outline of the state, hearken to guiding principles dear to the Pennsylvanians who brought the state into the union. KeystoneThe keystone became a Pennsylvania symbol as early as 1802, when a political rally toast described the state as “the keystone in the federal union”, analogous to the central stone placed by builders of Roman arches for strength and stability. Centrally located, with equal numbers of the original thirteen colonies to the north and south, Pennsylvania was a convenient gathering place for the revolutionary legislature.StatueAs one of the few states known as a Commonwealth, not inappropriately, Pennsylvania’s quarter features a statue called “Commonwealth”, designed by Roland Hinton Perry. The statue holds a staff to represent justice, while extending the other hand in kindness. The statue has graced the top of the state’s capitol dome in Harrisburg for more than a century.MottoThe motto, “Virtue, Liberty, Independence” aligns well with the meaning of Commonwealth -- a rule of laws fairly agreed to by all the people for the common good.Quarter-dollar coin image from the United States Mint. Go to Top of Pennsylvania Quarters page… Learn about the other 49 US State Quarters… Go to Home page…
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