In 1999, the United States Mint began a ten-year initiative to honor each of the 50 states by issuing a commemorative quarter featuring a design of each state’s choosing. The state quarter designs are intended to depict a unique aspect of each state. On May 1, 2003, Governor Tim Pawlenty signed an executive order creating the Minnesota Quarter Dollar Commission. Seeking public input and working closely with the Minnesota Historical Society, the department of natural resources, and the office of tourism, the commission’s deliberations resulted in the creation of the final design: An outline of the state with the words “10,000 Lakes” next to two people fishing on a quiet lake, silhouetted against a background of Norway pines, with a loon swimming peacefully in the foreground. The Denver mint began production of the Minnesota state quarter in March, 2005. Also see the historical essay about the quarter commission proceedings here.