Old Man of the Mountain Coin: Unique Symbol of New Hampshire

Numismatics is never boring and is remarkable because of its main components - coins unveiling their amazing story. Sometimes they are a reminder of significant historical events, famous personalities, but in other cases they are a sign of natural wonders of entire regions.

One of these coins is the Old Man of the Mountain quarter, issued as part of the renowned 50 State Quarters program. This coin is not just a piece of metal, but a tribute to a unique natural formation that for many years graced the landscape of New Hampshire's White Mountains, but now sadly no longer exists. But is there something else making New Hampshire quarter Old Man Of The Mountain special and does it have any investment value? Here we would like to explore this in detail, as well as talk about coin identifiers.

Coin Creation Story: New Hampshire's Eternal Guardian

The Great Stone Face or the Old Man of the Mountain as New Hampshire residents lovingly called this rock, was known for its distinctive outline resembling the profile of an old man. This natural wonder, formed millions of years ago, was not only a state landmark, but its official emblem, decorating license plates and state documents.

In 2000, the Old Man on the Mountain quarter was featured as part of the 50 States series, becoming one of the most iconic coins in the line. Sadly, in 2003, this natural formation collapsed, but its majestic profile has remained in the hearts of residents and in the state's history.

Coin's Place in the 50 State Quarters Program

The 50 State Quarters program was a cultural phenomenon. Over the course of ten years, quarters were issued for each of the states, depicting significant symbols associated with the history, nature, and culture of those regions. The coins were minted at various U.S. mints but gained the love of people from all over the country and became one of the most sought after collecting peace (which may complete the full set).

• The program lasted from 1999 to 2008.

• Each year, five coins were issued each year, dedicated to different states.

• The purpose of the program was to showcase the cultural and historical heritage of each state.

Quarter dollar Old Man of the Mountain holds an important place in the program. New Hampshire was the ninth state for which a coin was issued. Of course, it was hard to choose a more prominent and symbolic state. Due to this program, the Old Man of the Mountain was not only remembered by the people, but also became part of collectible numismatics, giving the coin a special value and historical significance.

Related article: 1916 Panama Pacific exposition coins.

Coin Design: Symbolism and Attention to Detail

Obverse

The obverse of the coin (like all quarters in the series) features George Washington, the first President of the United States. This design was standard on all 50 State Quarters coins and maintained the historical connection to the classic American quarters. Obverse inscriptions include “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST”,  “QUARTER DOLLAR.”

Reverse

The main attention is attracted precisely by the reverse. Here you can see a magnificent image of the “Old Man of the Mountains”, which takes center stage. The rock, thanks to the skill of the designers, looks alive and grandiose, even in such a small format. Below it is New Hampshire's famous motto, “Live Free or Die,” which gives the coin a powerful patriotic tone. The reverse of the coin also contains the inscriptions like “NEW HAMPSHIRE”, “1788”, “2000”, and “E PLURIBUS UNUM”.

Live free or die old man of the mountain quarter​ сharacteristics:

Why is the Old Man of the Mountain Coin Special?

1. Connection with a natural monument: unlike most coins dedicated to historical figures or events, this coin reflects the memory of a natural wonder (symbolizing the connection between man and nature).

2. Aesthetic value: the relief profile on the reverse of the coin accurately reproduces the outline of the “Old Man”, making the coin look like a miniature work of art.

3. Short-lived minting: the coin was only issued in a limited edition in 2000, making it quite rare, but there are always fans and hunters for the whole series.

Old Man of The Mountain Quarter Dollar Value: Collector's Appealing and Investment Potential

Usually, coin reviews talk about majestic and maximally expensive variants and “diamonds” of the numismatic world. But how much is Old Man of The Mountain quarter worth?

Although the coin's face value is small (25 cents), today it's worth far exceeds its face value. The reason is that after the collapse of the stone formation in 2003 (the coin was issued before), many collectors and New Hampshire residents began to hunt for these coins, wanting to preserve the memory of a great symbol of the state.

Now the cost of such a coin can reach from 1 to 20 dollars depending on the condition. Of particular value are copies in excellent condition.

Example of Coin Values:

As we can see, the coin is not worth a fabulous amount of money, it is also affordable for most collectors and actually (and frankly speaking) has no investment value. However, it has high collector interest because of its emotional significance and limited mintage (the coin was only issued for one year, which makes it rare and sought after).

The price of a coin may vary depending on its condition and minting quality. To estimate the value of a coin depending on its condition, it is convenient to use special applications like Coin ID Scanner. The app scans coins by image and gives full information about its origin, rarity and market value. So that it can become an ideal tool for both novice collectors and experienced numismatists.

A Symbol of Time, a Piece of Memory

The Old Man of the Mountain coin is not just a quarter from your wallet, but a monument to a vanished natural wonder that will forever be a part of New Hampshire history and the world of collector coins. Even despite the fact its investment potential doesn't make it a jewel on the market, it remains a symbol that many are willing to keep for years to come.

A coin is a sign that not everything in the world is eternal. But due to numismatics, even such losses find a second life and continue to inspire generations.

Sources:

1. https://www.usmint.gov/coins/coin-medal-programs/50-state-quarters/new-hampshire

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Man_of_the_Mountain

3. https://coinappraiser.com/coins/value-of-2000-new-hampshire-state-quarter/