Gov. Don Sundquist officially unveiled the Tennessee quarter along with famous musicians, federal officials and the coin’s designer during a ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.
“The sounds of Tennessee have inspired generations throughout the world,” Sundquist said. “That’s why it was natural that we chose to honor our musical heritage on the new quarter.”
United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore and U.S. Treasurer Rosario Marin joined the governor for the presentation.
Performers honoring the occasion included Ricky Skaggs who sang “Amazing Grace,” Isaac Hayes who sang “God Bless America,” Ruby Wilson who sang “The Tennessee Waltz,” and Country Music Foundation Board of Officers and Trustees President Marty Stuart closed the program with the timeless song, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”
“When we honor the music of Tennessee, we also honor our history and our culture,” Sundquist said. “Each distinct musical style tells a story about the struggles and the triumphs of our people.”
Tennessee’s Poet Laureate Margaret Britton Vaughn also marked the occasion by reading a poem, and the Hillsboro High School “SophistiCats” opened the program with a medley representative of Tennessee’s musical heritage.
The ceremony was followed by an open house at the Capitol hosted by the governor and First Lady Martha Sundquist. A rendering of the quarter was on display in the Capitol, and the Mint along with First Tennessee Bank distributed approximately 1,000 quarters to visitors.
The process for choosing Tennessee’s quarter began in March 2000 when the governor announced a statewide contest for students, artists and citizens to design the quarter. A commission, appointed by Sundquist, coordinated the contests and passed along recommendations to the governor, who the picked three finalists that were sent to the U.S. Mint in June 2000.
Waverly resident, Shawn Stookey, a teacher at Lakeview School in New Johnsonville, won the contest with a design that reflects Tennessee’s diverse musical heritage in the three grand divisions of the state. It showcases the different musical styles we celebrate in Tennessee such as bluegrass, Appalachian, country, gospel, rock and blues. Stookey attended the unveiling along with students from his school.
Tennessee is the sixteenth state to unveil its quarter in the US’s Mint 50 State Quarters Program.

Author