2004 Texas State Quarter

The Texas quarter, released in 2004, was one of five state designs issued that year as part of the ongoing 50 State Quarters Program. Its simple, bold reverse design, an outline map of Texas overlaid with a five-pointed star and a ribbon banner, reflects the state's storied identity as a former independent republic before joining the Union in 1845.

As with all State Quarters, it circulated widely and was collected enthusiastically by both casual coin savers and dedicated numismatists assembling complete 50-state sets.

Texas was the 28th state admitted to the Union, and its quarter appeared in the sixth year's release group under the Congressionally-mandated program that issued designs in order of statehood. The design was selected through a public submission and review process coordinated between the Texas governor's office and the US Mint, ultimately favoring a design that emphasized the state's independent heritage and geography over other proposed themes.

The coin's minimalist composition, essentially just the state outline and a star, stood in contrast to some of the more elaborate scenic and historical designs chosen by other states, but it proved popular for its clean, immediately recognizable imagery.

The obverse carries the standard Washington Quarter portrait used throughout the program. The reverse shows an outline map of the state of Texas with a five-pointed star centered within it, a ribbon or banner bearing the words THE LONE STAR STATE draped across the lower portion, and the state name and 1845 statehood date around the rim.

Circulation coins were struck in copper-nickel clad at Philadelphia (P) and Denver (D), with mint marks appearing near the date on the obverse; silver proof versions from San Francisco (S) show sharper details and a mirror-like proof finish.

As a coin struck in the hundreds of millions for general circulation, the 2004 Texas quarter is common and typically worth only face value in circulated or average uncirculated condition. Meaningful premiums are reserved for coins graded in top Mint State grades (MS67 or higher) or for silver proof editions in flawless condition.

Most collectors acquire this coin simply to complete a State Quarters map or folder set rather than for standalone investment value.