Washington, D.C.--Sixth District U.S. Congressman Frank Lucas supported passage of a bill in the House of Representatives today that would put Oklahoma on the nation's coinage. S. 1228, the 50 States Commemorative Coin Program--if signed by the president--will authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to issue five new quarters per year commemorating one of the fifty states, beginning in 1999 and continuing for 10 years. The states will be honored in the order in which they entered the union.

"Oklahoma having been 46th to enter the union in 1907, our coin would be produced in 2008," Lucas said. "This legislation presents us with the opportunity to show off our state through commemorative artwork on national coinage that will be around for posterity."

All fifty coins will have a common design on one side--the head of George Washington. The other side will be designed by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with state officials, the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee (CCCAC) and the Commission on Fine Arts.

"S. 1228, if signed by the President, will allow coin collectors of all ages and all incomes to own a complete coin collection within 10 years, costing them a modest $12.50," Lucas said. "Additionally, with that many coins coming out of circulation due to coin collection, it is estimated that direct government spending would be decreased by $15 million during 1998-2002 and by $40 million over the 1998-2007 period."