Issued Date: June 2, 2008

Description: Released on June 2, 2008, as the 48th coin in the 50 State Quarters Program, the Arizona quarter features a stunning reverse design of the Grand Canyon with a Saguaro cactus in the foreground. Designed by Donna Weaver (though some sources attribute it to John Flanagan/William Cousins for obverse, others to Donna Weaver for reverse), it highlights the state's natural wonders and is nicknamed the "Grand Canyon State".

Design Elements & Inscriptions

Reverse: Features a sweeping view of the Grand Canyon with a prominent Saguaro cactus in the foreground.

Banner: A banner across the design reads "Grand Canyon State".

Text: Includes the inscriptions "Arizona," "1912" (year of statehood), and "2008" (year of mintage).

Obverse: Features the standard George Washington portrait by John Flanagan, with "United States of America," "Liberty," "In God We Trust," and "Quarter Dollar".

Technical Specifications

Mint Locations: Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S).

The design was chosen to represent Arizona's unique landscape, separating the cactus and canyon to accurately reflect that the Saguaro does not grow in the Grand Canyon.