The title of the Alaska State Quarter design is "The Great Land." The coin depicts a grizzly bear wading in a river, with a freshly-caught salmon in its jaws. There is a waterfall behind the bear, and above it all (although too subtle, in my opinion) is the North Star. The design for Alaska Quarter was created by U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Susan Gamble, and engraved by U.S. Mint Sculptor/Engraver Charles Vickers.
I think this coin a masterful representation of Alaska's wilderness. The first time I saw the line art, I actually got shivers from imagining the frigid cold water the bear was in. I absolutely love the fact that the North Star is depicted on the coin, but unfortunately I think most people are simply going to overlook it as just another typical star-on-a-U.S.-coin. It will be interesting to see if the folks who colorize the Statehood Quarters will try to replicate the Aurora Borealis!
I think this coin a masterful representation of Alaska's wilderness. The first time I saw the line art, I actually got shivers from imagining the frigid cold water the bear was in. I absolutely love the fact that the North Star is depicted on the coin, but unfortunately I think most people are simply going to overlook it as just another typical star-on-a-U.S.-coin. It will be interesting to see if the folks who colorize the Statehood Quarters will try to replicate the Aurora Borealis!