Thousands come to see state quarter

Hundreds of school children, who each received a free Oklahoma quarter, cheered during today's ceremony.

The History Center's parking lot was jammed, and people attending the ceremony had to park as far as three blocks away.

"2007 was an exciting year for the Sooner State, celebrating its centennial," said Dan Shaver, the acting deputy director of the U.S. Mint. "Today's issuance of this beautiful Oklahoma quarter serves as an encore to the state's centennial, and the coin itself will serve as a lasting, nationwide tribute to Oklahoma, its heritage and its people."

Shaver, with the help of Gov. Brad Henry and first lady Kim Henry, put a symbol of the state's quarter on a U.S. map that featured the state quarters issued since the state quarter program was launched in 1999.

Oklahoma is the 46th state to have a state quarter issued.

Henry said it's appropriate the Oklahoma quarter is the first to be placed in circulation in 2008, on the heels of the 2007 yearlong celebration marking Oklahoma's centennial.

"The future (of Oklahoma) is even brighter," Henry said.