BY DOUG RADUNICH

Clipper Staff Writer



DENVER, CO -- Davis County State Representatives Paul Neuenschwander and Sheryl Allen were recently able to witness the United States Mint at Denver hosting the ceremonial striking of the first Utah Quarter of 2007, the "Utah Commemorative Quarter-dollar."

"I flew to Denver to watch the process and be part of the celebration, and after about four years of hard work, the commission chosen by Governor Huntsman led the group with Lt. Governor Gary Herbert striking the first quarter," Neuenschwander said. "It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate another recognition for the state and to be part of the event. The new Utah Quarter will be available nationwide on Nov. 9, and it all begins with a big celebration at the Union Depot in Salt Lake."

The Utah quarter, the 45th coin in the United States Mint 50 State Quarters Program, commemorates the historic joining of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads at Promontory Summit on May 1869. The coin's reverse design features two locomotives moving toward the golden spike that joined the two railroads, linking East to West and transforming both the Utah Territory and the Nation.

The inscriptions on the coin are "Crossroads of the West," "Utah" and "1896," the year Utah was admitted into the union. The coin is meant to celebrate the historic joining of the rails and signify the linking of the eastern and western United States.

Also present at the United States Mint at Denver were Gary R. Herbert, Lieutenant Governor of Utah, Palmer DePaulis, Executive Director for the Department of Community and Culture, Margaret Hunt, Chair for the Utah Commemorative Quarter Commission, David Croft, United States Mint at Denver Plant Manager, and other members of the Utah State Senate and Utah House of Representatives.



dradunich@davisclipper.com