John Muir featured on California’s Quarter (2005)


Jim Wasserman writes that the design of California’s new quarter features former Wisconsin resident John Muir.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled the design of California’s new quarter Monday, which shows conservationist John Muir, a California condor and Yosemite National Park’s Half Dome mountain on the coin’s tails side.
More than 2 billion of the coins will be placed in national circulation in January 2005, said California State Librarian Kevin Starr.
Los Angeles graphic artist Garrett Burke, 42, designed the coin that Schwarzenegger selected from five finalists including images of sun and waves, a redwood tree, the Golden Gate Bridge and a gold panner.
“I’m thrilled with the outcome,” said the self-described nature enthusiast, calling Yosemite Valley and John Muir the “real stars.