50 State Quarters Program
The Lone Star State Quarter

 The third State Quarter of 2004, and the 28th quarter in the 50 State Quarters Program, honors Texas,  "The Lone Star State."

 The quarter's design features an outline of the state with a single star superimposed over it, and the inscription "The Lone Star State."  A lariat, which encircles the design, symbolizes the cattle and cowboy history of Texas, as well as the frontier spirit that tamed the land.

 Last month, Texas Governor Rick Perry unveiled the new commemorative quarter at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. 

 "The Lone Star is one of the most identifiable symbols of Texas, and an historic representation of the independent spirit of our people," said Perry. "Its origins can be traced back to the movement for independence, and its continued presence today reminds people that Texans are a different breed, set apart by their fierce individualism and their unrelenting desire for freedom."

 The image of the Lone Star can be found as far back as 1819. It also appeared on several flags of the early Republic of Texas. In 1836, the Congress of the Republic of Texas adopted a version of the Lone Star flag with a golden central star, and three years later the design we recognize today became the flag of the Republic, and soon after our nation's 28th state when Texas was admitted to the Union on December 29, 1845.

 The State Quarters Program, which started in 1999, is a 10-year celebration of the 50 states. Each year, five states are honored with a unique quarter, Earlier this year, Michigan and Florida state quarters were issued. State quarters honoring Iowa and Wisconsin will be issued later this year.