The Alaska State Quarter is a circulating quarter dollar issued in 2008 as part of the 50 State Quarters program. Its reverse shows a grizzly bear emerging from the water with a salmon in its jaws, with the North Star above [1][2].
| Coin | Quarter dollar (circulating) |
|---|---|
| Issued | 2008 |
| Authorizing law | Public Law 105-124 |
| Reverse | Grizzly bear with salmon; North Star |
| Reverse inscriptions | “THE GREAT LAND”, “ALASKA”, “1959” |
Design
According to the United States Mint, the obverse shows a bust of President George Washington, and the reverse shows a grizzly bear emerging from the water with a salmon in its jaw, along with the North Star. The reverse carries the inscriptions “THE GREAT LAND”, “ALASKA”, and “1959”, the year of statehood [1].
Authorization and credits
The Mint lists the coin as authorized by Public Law 105-124 and credits John Flanagan and William Cousins as obverse designers and Charles L. Vickers as a designer [1]. The list of Alaska state symbols records the quarter with the year 2008 but notes that it is not defined by Alaska statutes [2].
FAQs
What is on the Alaska state quarter? The reverse shows a grizzly bear with a salmon in its jaw and the North Star [1].
When was it issued? In 2008 [1][2].
What does the year 1959 mean? The reverse inscription 1959 marks the year of Alaska statehood.
Sources
Key facts
- Issued in 2008
- Authorized by Public Law 105-124
Quick checkWhat is on the Alaska state quarter?Show answer
A grizzly bear emerging from the water with a salmon, with the North Star and the words THE GREAT LAND.
Sources
- United States Mint. Alaska State Quarter (accessed 2026-11-14)
- Wikipedia. List of Alaska state symbols (accessed 2026-11-14)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue