image via u.s. mint [#]

I’m sure that everyone remembers the scandal-tinged voting process [mb] that help select an image for the back of the Washington State quarter. By now, I hope you’ve come to terms with the fact that the state will be represented in currency by a leaping salmon rather than a happy orca because next week marks the official roll out of the shiny new laundry token. The Seattle Times tries to induce a little excitement through a scarcity panic:

Want to get a new Washington state quarter? Make sure you’re one of the first 600 million in line. […] the Washington quarter will be minted for just 10 weeks and the mint has been asking banks and other financial institutions how many to make. Based on the state population, Moy expects between 500 million and 600 million Washington quarters to be minted. When they’re gone, no more will be made. [times]

While you’re frantically sorting through your change to find one of the half-billion of these coins for your big book of state quarters, the Gregoires and a few other officials will be gazing fondly at their shiny first pressings. They went to Denver late last month so that the Governor’s husband could start the ceremonial presses. [p-i]

Of the coins debuting this year [usmint], ours definitely among the less objectionable, design-wise.

Related posts:

1. countdown to 2007
2. washington state quartermania, critical review
3. Say hello to the new quarter
4. the price of offending no one : the washington state quarters
5. “I love my budget” - C. Gregoire