William Cousins - US Mint Sculptor and Engraver 1990 - 2000

William Cousins is most famously known for his updated design of the Washington Quarter, which would be used in the 50 State Quarter Program and the American the Beautiful Quarter series. The story begins in December of 1993 when the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee (CCCAC) was headed by Philip N. Diehl, the current Mint Director. At the beginning, CCCAC member David Ganz endorsed the US beginning a 50 State Quarter program where a quarter would be minted for each state in the order that each state entered the Union of the United States. A few years as the idea developed, US President Bill Clinton signed the United States Commemorative Coin Program Act. The 50 State Quarter Program began in 1999 and would last until 2008, depicting 5 new states on the quarters each year.

The new design for the quarter would be a modified version of John Flanagan's Washington quarter design. The new obverse designed by William Cousins would still depict a smaller bust of US President Washington. In addition, the "LIBERTY" text was replaced by "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA". The date was totally removed from the front of the coin and replaced with the text "QUARTER DOLLAR". The word "LIBERTY" replaced the words "IN GOD WE TRUST", which was moved to the right side of the bust of Washington. Cousins' design for the front of the Washington Quarter would remain until the present day, being used on the 50 State Quarters and America the Beautiful Quarters series.

William Cousins designed the very first reverse for the 1999 Delaware Quarter, depicting Caesar Rodney on horseback. Cousins also designed the 2000 New Hampshire Quarter depicting the Old Man Of The Mountain.

US Mint Coin Credits

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