The great state of Wyoming gets its own spot on the calendar every July 10, otherwise declared as National Wyoming Day. Why July 10? That was the day in 1890 that Wyoming was admitted as the 44th entry to the Union. By the late 19th century, the United States had already reached the Pacific shoreline. In those days, most developed stretches west of the Mississippi River were being transformed into farmland, and Wyoming was certainly becoming a hotbed of agricultural activity in its own right.
Wyoming’s state nickname is “The Equality State,” a moniker earned for good reason. Wyoming was the first state to allow women the right to vote, a claim that could have still been made by New Jersey had they not stripped women (and many other groups) of such freedoms in 1807. Wyoming’s official state motto is also fittingly, and simply, “Equal Rights.” Along with the aforementioned agricultural industries that abound in the state, Wyoming is also home to many mining outfits. The state is a major producer of coal, trona (which is refined into soda ash), and uranium, and there are also prospects that Wyoming could one day yield a variety of rare earth elements.
The state lays claim to a multitude of symbols, including the western meadowlark as the Wyoming state bird, triceratops as the state dinosaur, Wyoming Indian paintbrush (Castilleja linariifolia) as the state flower, Sheridan’s green hairstreak butterfly as the state insect, and rodeo as the state sport. But did you know that Wyoming also has a state coin? It’s true! The Sacagawea Dollar is the nation’s state coin.
Another coin of great importance to Wyomingians is the 2007 Wyoming State Quarter, which was the 44th issue in the long-running 50 State Quarters program. The coin, anchored by a bust of George Washington that was designed by William Cousins and is common across the series, features the silhouette of a bucking horse and rider. Interestingly, that design seen on the reverse of the Wyoming State Quarter isn’t unique to that coin. Rather, it’s a design that traces back to at least 1918 and pays homage to the “Cowboy State” name by which Wyoming also goes. The logo, credited to United States military First Sergeant George N. Ostrom, was trademarked by Wyoming in 1936. The insignia is seen on the state’s license plate, sports teams, and a host of other Wyoming-related entities.
In addition to the 2007-P and 2007-D business strikes, there are also several numismatic-finish issues. These include silver and clad proof strikes from the San Francisco Mint that were sold in 2007 United States Mint proof sets. There are also Philadelphia and Denver satin strikes that were sold in the 2007 United States Mint Uncirculated Set. All of these coins can be collected as part of the various Washington Quarter and 50 State Quarters PCGS Registry Sets.