John Muir-Yosemite California State Quarter

Offsite Links

Related Websites

• 50 State Quarters ® Program - Official Information from U.S. Mint
• California State Quarter - Official Information from U.S. Mint
• Of Special Note! California State Quarter Website - by concept designer Garrett Burke
• 2005 California State Quarter Commemorative Coin Holder available from the California State History Museum (illustrated on right of this page)
• Governor Celebrates the Release of the 2005 California State Quarter (Photos, full text of Governor's Remarks, and watch a video of the Release of the 2005 California State Quarter)
• U.S. Mint Online Catalog- 50 State Quarters® Program merchandise and collectibles
• California and other State Quarter Lesson Plans - U.S. Mint
• California Condor - Links from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Thank Governor Schwarzenegger for Honoring California's Natural Heritage
• California State Quarter Online Puzzle - from John Muir Birthplace Trust, Dunbar, Scotland.
• The California Quarter Experience by Sarah Dalton (California Library Foundation, Bulletin No. 79 (PDF, downloads 2.4 MB file of complete issue; this article begins on page 15.) - First-person narrative of the California State Library's California Quarter Projec by the coordinator for the project.

Recent News and Articles

• US Muir coin designer in Dunbar - "AN AMERICAN [Garrett Burke] who designed a 25 cent coin in memory of Dunbar-born conservationist John Muir has said that East Lothian 'looks a million dollars'". (offsite link - East Lothian Courier, July 30, 2009) Note: this article incorrectly states that Burke helped create the sand sculpture above, but everyone involves affirms the sand sculpture was solely the creation of Jo Moulin and Duncan Smeed. See also a photo of a sand-sculpture of his quarter dollar design on the East Beach at Dunbar, as part of the John Muir Birthplace annual sandcastle modelling competition.

2005 News and Articles

• Collectors flip over Yosemite coin
  By Dhyana Levey, The Union Democrat (March 28, 2005)
  New California state quarters featuring a Yosemite National Park design have hit stores and banks, and coin collectors and Yosemite fans are snapping them up, suppliers say.
  
• The California Numismatist
  Download the Spring, 2005 issue for a detailed story with photographs on the California Quarter coin launch "We're on the Map";
  and the Fall, 2004 issue for information about the concept designer Garret Burke's winning design.
  
• Numismatist 2005 Archive : Download the January, 2005 issue Cover Story for the article: "California State Quarter: A Wild Choice" by Cathy L. Clark
  
• Muir Coin for Every Schoolchild in Town
  (East Lothian Courier, (March 15, 2005)
  Every school child in Dunbar [Scotland] and the surrounding area is being presented with a special quarter dollar coin which depicts well-known conservationist John Muir.
  
• Conservationist honoured on 25-cent piece
  by Craig Howie The Scotsman (March 4, 2005)
  One of the most celebrated sons of the Scottish diaspora, one of hundreds of thousands whose family was ambitious, oppressed or desperate enough to leave Scotland to seek a new life in the US, Muir has been honoured on over 500 million coins just released into circulation in California.
  
• American coin tribute to conservationist John Muir
  East Lothian Today (February 11, 2005)
  The first of the John Muir Californian quarters has arrived in Dunbar [Scotland].
  The specially struck 25 cent coin was in a presentation package of American state coins sent to Jim Thompson, convener of the Dunbar John Muir Association, by its designer Garrett Burke....
  
• Muir descendants party in Stockton: New state quarter celebrated at UOP
  By Dana Nichol, Stockton Record (February 10, 2005)
  
• Quarter celebration honors Muir's relatives
  By Don Harness, The Reporter (February 11, 2005)
  
• Gathering in Stockton commemorates John Muir, new quarter
  By Jennifer Snyder, Lodi News-Sentinel (Feb 10, 2005)
  Inspiration and vision -- two words that sum up John Muir on the new California quarter, to concept designer Garrett Burke. John Muir and the new California quarter were commemorated on Wednesday at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, home to the largest collection of Muir memorabilia...
  
• Free Quarter? Don't Bank On It
  Consumer Alert by CBS News (February 4, 2005) (read text or watch video)
  
• Muir and the U.S. Mint: New quarter features him; kin get first coins
  By Don Harness The Reporter (Vacaville, California, February 2, 2005)
  Local descendants of naturalist John Muir were still talking Tuesday about their meeting with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger a day earlier, when they were among the first recipients of the nation's new California quarter....
  
• Coining History: John Muir's grand legacy appropriately graces the California quarter
  By W.R. Swagerty, Stockton Record (February 6, 2005)
  As former Gov. Gray Davis declared when selecting five finalists from 8,000 entries in the coin-design competition, Muir is widely considered California's most famous historic figure. As such, it's fitting that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger selected the design of Muir in Yosemite Valley as the state's official quarter.
  
• Paying Flip Service: California puts John Muir on its official quarter
  Grist Magazine (February 2, 2005)
  "Muir lit the torch of conservation in our state," said the governor, whose environmental record, while not perfect, shines in comparison to many of his fellow party members in Washington, D.C., where the torch of conservation is, shall we say, sputtering...." more...
  
• New quarter celebrates Muir, conservation: California Gov. Schwarzenegger chose final design
  Coin collectors and history buffs lined up to be among the first to get a new quarter commemorating the Golden State’s history, featuring the likeness of John Muir, his beloved Yosemite and a California condor. (MSNBC News, February 1, 2005)
  
• California Quarter Featuring Muir, Yosemite Enters Circulation
  by Jennifer Coleman San Francisco Chronicle (January 31, 2005)
  Coin collectors and history buffs lined up Monday to be among the first to get the quarter commemorating California's history -- adorned with a likeness of John Muir, his beloved Yosemite and a California condor.
  The newest quarter, part of the 10-year, 50-state quarters program by the U.S. Mint, entered circulation with an introduction by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and first lady Maria Shriver at the California State History Museum....
  
• Press Releases from the Launch Day:

  Governor Schwarzenegger Proclaims January 31st "State Quarter Day in the Classroom"

  United States Mint, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger And First Lady Maria Shriver Launch California Quarter
  Celebrating “John Muir, Yosemite Valley and California Condor” (January 31,2005)

  Sierra Club celebrates John Muir, Yosemite on California Quarter
  Statement by Carl Pope, Executive Director (January 31, 2005

  United States Mint Offers California Quarters in 2-Roll Sets & Bags

• John Muir on California's quarter
  Naturalist, Yosemite, condor are depicted on coin debuting Monday
  By Michelle Maitre, Tri-Valley Herald (January 30, 2005)
  A likeness of one of the East Bay's most famous residents soon will be jingling in the pockets of Americans everywhere.
• California gets a coin to flip over
  By Steve Rubenstein, San Francisco Chronicle (January 29, 2005)
• Minting Muir: New coin to feature naturalist
  By Don Harness, The Reporter (Vacaville, California, January 24, 2004)
  With a ceremonial boost from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and joined by Dixon and Napa relatives of famous naturalist and conservationist John Muir, California's proud entry in the U.S. Mint's 50-state quarter program soon will be ready for collectors - or for spending.
• Drawn & Quartered:The U.S. Mint's newest commemorative quarter,
  from pencil sketch to history in your pocket By Morgan P. Yates, Westways Magazine, January, 2005.

2004 News and Editorials

• Catholic school grad designs California quarter By Sharon Abercrombie, Catholic Voice Oakland, June 7, 2004.
• Muir coin for every pupil - East Lothian Courier, Scotland, May 28, 2004.
• Coin Talk Radio Program - May 10, 2004 (off-site links)
  Guests:
  Garrett Burke, Winning Design Submitter
  Sarah Dalton, Co-Coordinator, The California State Quarter Project
  Segment 1: [Windows Media Player]
  Garrett and Sarah discuss their involvement in the Quarter Project.
  Segment 2: [Windows Media Player]
  The Design submission and selection processes are discussed.
  Segment 3: [Windows Media Player]
  Using the State Quarters as an educational tool.
• Muir deserves state's quarter honor by Terry Carter , Los Angeles Times, April 30, 2004.
  "With all the glitz and glitter of Hollywood's bustling studios, our part of the space program, Disneyland and engineering wonders like the Golden Gate Bridge, we chose to link ourselves with a silent, natural panorama. No cell phones. No boom boxes. Wow..."
• Artist Thrilled with Mint Rendition by Ray Sidman, Numismatic News, April 22, 2004.
  "The artist behind a state quarter design rendered by the U.S. Mint has spoken out. The surprise? He's ecstatic about the results..."
• The California Dream's Great Explorer Retired state librarian Starr is a modern Muir By William Deverell, Los Angeles Times, April 13, 2004.
  Accompanied by state Librarian Kevin Starr, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently unveiled the state's new commemorative quarter. It is a beautiful coin, graced by three icons of California history and culture: John Muir stands before Yosemite's Half Dome; a California condor soars overhead...
• John Muir worth celebrating on state quarter by William Tweed, Visalia Times-Delta, April 10, 2004.
  "It is no accident that Muir will share the coin with images of Yosemite Valley and a California condor. On the coin Muir will add his visage to a California that he literally defined -- a place of almost unimaginable scenic splendor and the home of amazing creatures such as the continent's largest birds..."
• Reporter's Notebook: Design Unveiled for California Quarter - Interview of Kevin Starr - KCRW's "Which Way, LA?" radio discussion between Award-winning moderator Warren Olney and legendary California State Librarian Dr. Kevin Starr, March 29, 2004.
• Editorial: A winning coin design Quarter shows California natural legacy - Sacramento Bee, April 2, 2004
  Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has chosen a fitting design for California's quarter. It showcases California's great natural assets - and the human story of their protection...
• Arnie coin set to pay off with tourist boom by Gareth Edwards. Scotsman.com, April 3, 2004
• John Muir honoured on US coin by Craig Brown, The Scotsman, March 31, 2004. http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=366552004
• John Muir heads Californian coin - BBC News, March 31, 2004
• Muir coin could bring US tourists to town - East Lothian Courier, Dunbar, Scotland, April 2, 2004.
• Editorial: Design is tribute to the state - Long Beach Press Telegram, March 30, 2004.
• Muir's big moment grabs Arnold's vote - Conservationist to grace state quarter By Harrison Sheppard, LA Daily News, March 29, 2004
• Coin to Circulate California Concept A new design for quarters that will be minted next year is unveiled. It depicts John Muir, a condor and Half Dome. By Cynthia Daniels, Los Angeles Times March 30, 2004.
• Governor unveils new state quarter - Visalia Times-Delta, March 30, 2004
• A natural choice for California's coin By Dion Nissenbaum San Jose Mercury News, March 30, 2004.
• New California Quarter Features Yosemite, Conservationist John Muir by Jim Wasserman, Associated Press San Francisco Chronicle - March 29, 2004

2003 News

• Pioneering Conservationist in Line for Honour on a Quarter - Scots emigrant John Muir, who gave US its national parks, put forward for 25c coin - by The Guardian (UK) (July 7, 2003)
  John Muir, regarded as a founder of the modern conservation movement, could soon be honoured by the US with a 25 cent coin. Such recognition would come when the wilderness which he fought so hard to preserve is again under attack.
• Five Finalists vie for 25-cent Fame - by Sacramento Bee (April 29, 2003)
  California moved a step closer Monday toward a quarter-sized defining image, as Gov. Gray Davis announced the five top designs to depict the Golden State on a two-bit piece. The five designs will be fine-tuned by the U.S. Mint before the official California quarter is selected by Davis .... Garret Burke, designer of the John Muir-Yosemite design concept, said: "Pride in our state's natural beauty is something that unites Californians." From there, he decided his design should incorporate the Yosemite Valley and naturalist John Muir.
• State Coin Contest Rolls Toward Conclusion by Logan Jenkins - San Diego Union Tribune (March, 2003)
  "The Sierra Club's Web site recently congratulated its members for sending letters in support of the state's patron saint of natural beauty. Starr confirmed that the 11th-hour campaign influenced his decision to bend the rules. 'So what's your favorite design?' I asked. Starr confessed that he is personally partial to the Muir design because it says something so important about the state's history. Muir is the 'most admired man of all Californians,' Starr said, citing a recent poll."
• Miner, Bear, and Redwoods Among Top Designs - Los Angeles Daily News (March 12, 2003)
• Davis Puts His 2 Cents on the California Quarter - San Francisco Examiner article (3/12/03)
• Top 6 California Designs - Quarter Designs Website (non-commercial, non-governmental site)
• Interview with the John Muir-Yosemite Quarter Designer - Sierra Club Currents
• Quarter Spotlight Turns on California - from Coinworld magazine

• John Muir Yosemite California State Quarter Home

Home | Alphabetical Index | What's New