The Iowa Quarter was 29th release in the 50 State Quarters program, since it was the 29th state to join the Union. The quarter’s design was chosen to be based on a painting by an artist born in the state. The Iowa quarter features a teacher and her students planting a tree by their schoolhouse, which illustrates the ‘Foundation in Education’, which is also printed on the coin above the image. The artist, Grant Wood, also has his name printed on the coin.
Iowa is bordered by Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Missouri, as well as three rivers. The Mississippi River is on the east, while the Missouri River and the Big Sioux River are on the west. American Indians had arrived in the area more than 13,000 years ago, and by the time Europeans came the culture was highly evolved with political, economic, and social systems that were quite complex. In 1673, the first known exploration of Iowa occurred, and was claimed by the French. The ownership was transferred to Spain during the French and Indian War, and then given to the United States with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
Iowa is home to Fort Madison, which was used in the War of 1812 to control trade and establish dominance of the United States in the area. Then, from 1814-1832, trade and settlement were encouraged in the area and Indians were removed and sent west to find new homes. The first American settlers came in 1833, and Iowa became a state in 1846 under the watch of President James K. Polk.