"How do you capture the essence of a state on the back of a quarter?"
That was the question on State Treasurer Brian Krolicki's mind as he unveiled the final five designs for the back of Nevada's official U.S. quarter at the Nevada State Museum on Wednesday, kicking off the voting drive to decide which one best represents the state's heritage.
The designs were rendered into images by artists from the U.S. Mint based on more than 500 narrative ideas for the coin submitted by Nevadans and reviewed by an 18-member volunteer panel.
"I can't think of a better spot to have this conversation," said Krolicki, speaking from the one-time home of the U.S. Mint in Carson City to a crowd of students from Zephyr Cove Middle School and the painted visages of President Abraham Lincoln and the first superintendent of the Carson City Mint, Abraham Curry.
The final five designs feature images of Nevada's wildlife, native and mining history.
"Morning in Nevada" depicts three wild horses galloping in front of a Sierra Nevada sunrise.
Krolicki's 6-year-old daughter, Kate, who was on hand to cast the first ballot, made no secret that the horse design was her favorite.
"Nevada's Early Heritage" pictures the outline of the state with a petroglyph inside, a Dat-So-La-Lee basket and a tule duck decoy artifact.
"The Silver State" features a Grant Wood-style portrait of a Comstock-era miner holding a pickax.
The miner frightened seventh-grader Mikaela Medeiros, who preferred the bighorn sheep on the "Nevada Wilderness" design, the creature which she quickly identified as the official state mammal.
Not so fast, said classmate Catherine Huang. "The bighorn sheep looks like he's going to buck you," she laughed, preferring "The Silver State" design.
Lastly, the "Battle Born Nevada" design which closely mimics the state flag.
Mint officials made it clear early on that they didn't want any gambling icons like slot machines, said Kathy Besser, chief of staff for the Nevada treasurer.
Besser said the process began in March 2004. "It goes through phases," she said. "The advising panel was great and did a lot of research. Sometimes it's frustrating not having control over parts of the process but we couldn't be more pleased with the results."
Krolicki says Nevadans can see the designs and cast their vote on the Internet at www.nevadatreasurer.gov, at the State Museum or at the treasurer's office. The voting will go until 5 p.m. May 30. Krolicki says he expects to have the final decision soon after.
The quarter, to be released into circulation in January, will be the 36th in the U.S. Mint's popular "50 State Quarters" program.
n Contact reporter Peter Thompson at pthompson@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1215.
On the net
Give your two bits on
Nevada's state quarter at:
www.nevadatreasurer.gov
Vote by 5 p.m. May 30
