Nebraska Quater Release April 7

Nebraska quarter to be officially released April 7
By SCOTT BAUER / The Associated Press
Celebrations in Lincoln, Kearney and Gering are planned for April 7 to officially release Nebraska's commemorative quarter, which features Chimney Rock and a covered wagon.

Any child under age 18 who shows up at any of the events will receive a free quarter, said John Munn, co-chairman of the launch committee and the state's banking director.
"Luckily this is a quarter and not a silver dollar," Munn said Wednesday at a joint news conference with Gov. Dave Heineman.
A crowd of between 4,000 and 10,000 total at the three events is expected, Munn said. The quarters are being paid for by the U.S. Mint and Nebraska companies and others that have donated $25,000 for the launch events, Munn said.

No tax dollars are being used for the celebration.
Those who can't wait until April 7 to get the quarter can pay $16 for a five-coin proof set available at coin dealers and the U.S. Mint.
A striking ceremony at the mint in Denver will be held in early March.
Commemorative quarters in five states are being released this year. Nevada's release in January was the first. Nebraska is second, followed by Colorado, North Dakota and South Dakota.
The coins, about 500 million of which will be minted, will be around for decades. Nebraska will be the 37th state to have its quarter released as part of the wildly successful program started in 1999 by the mint. Quarters are released each year based on when a state joined the union. Nebraska became a state in 1867.
More details about the April 7 ceremonies will be released in the coming weeks, Heineman said. The Lincoln event, which serves as the official launch, will be held at the Bob Devaney Center.
The University of Nebraska at Kearney will host the event there, and Gering's Five Rocks Amphitheater is the location for the western Nebraska event.
School groups interested in attending any of the events are encouraged to contact the state Education Department.
The Chimney Rock coin design was selected by Heineman over three other finalists featuring the state Capitol, the Sower statue and Chief Standing Bear.
Nebraska's quarter shows the sun to the left, with one person walking beside a covered wagon being pulled by two oxen. Two other people are riding inside. Chimney Rock is to the right, with the words "Chimney Rock" below it.
The clay and sandstone Chimney Rock, near Bayard in Nebraska's Panhandle, was one of the most mentioned landmarks in the diaries of Oregon Trail pioneers. It remains a tourist spot and historical marker.