USA state quarters - VII

Massachusetts state quarter

The reverse design features "The Minuteman" against an outline of the state. The coin's reverse was designed and engraved by Thomas D. Rodgers Sr.

"The Minuteman" is a famous statue that stands guard at the Minuteman National Historical Park in Concord, Massachusetts. The Minutemen were important Revolutionary War forces of regular farmers and colonists who could assemble to fight at a minutes notice.

Delaware state quarter

The Delaware quarter, depicting the historic horseback ride of Caesar Rodney, galloped onto the scene as it kicked off the much anticipated United States Mint's 50 State Quarters.

Caesar Rodney was a delegate to the Continental Congress. On July 1, 1776, despite suffering from asthma and cancer, Rodney set off on the 80-mile journey to Philadelphia withstanding thundershowers and a severe summer heat wave. The next day, he arrived at Independence Hall just in time to cast the deciding vote in favor of our nation's independence. This native of Dover has also held more public offices than any other Delaware citizen. In addition to being an extremely dedicated delegate, Rodney was also a soldier, judge, and speaker of Delaware's Assembly.

Maryland state quarter

The reverse design features the Maryland Statehouse. The inscriptions include the State name, Statehood date, mintage date, "E Pluribus Unum," and "The Old Line State." The coin's reverse was designed by William J. Krawczewicz and engraved by Thomas D. Rodgers

The Maryland Statehouse is embedded in this country's history. From 1783 to 1784 it served as the first peace-time capital of the United States. The Treaty of Paris was also signed here putting an "official" end to the Revolutionary War.The Maryland Statehouse dates back to 1772 and is the country's largest wooden dome built without using nails. The Treaty of Paris which ended the Revolutionary War was ratified in the structure. It also served as the nation's first peacetime capital. On the quarter, the dome is surrounded by White oak leaf clusters.

Maryland is known as both the Old Line State and the Free State.

According to some historians, General George Washington bestowed the name "Old Line State" and thereby associated Maryland with its regular line troops, the Maryland Line, who served courageously in many Revolutionary War battles.