Anyone have more information on why a frog pressed the button to coin the first Connecticut quarter?

Longacre · October 31, 2006 12:05AM

I was reading the new QDB book on Washington quarters. It is loaded with tidbits of obscure information. One tidbit indicated that a frog pressed the button on the coining press to launch the Connecticut quarter. Does anyone have more information on this and why a frog pressed the button (and also how, because I don't think that frogs have thumbs).

PS. Note to QDB-- The book refers to the coin as the "2000 Connecticut quarter", but I believe it was dated 1999.

Hugegut · October 31, 2006 12:09AM

There were kids at the ceremony. They brought in Kermit as the guest "spokesfrog". Not sure if he has a thumb

Cladiator · October 31, 2006 12:12AM

Yeah, Kermit was the main publicity spokesperson, uh... spokesfrog for the state quarter program.

jdsinva · October 31, 2006 12:48AM

I thought this post was going to be about a French person. . .

StrikeOutXXX · October 31, 2006 12:54AM

From the mint website:

"PHILADELPHIA (October 7, 1999) - As the children of St. Mary's Parochial School in Philadelphia, counted 3-2-1-0…and Kermit…yes, Kermit the Frog, and Philip N. Diehl, Director of the U.S. Mint simultaneously pressed the button that operates the coin press machine. BOOM! The press machine thundered, and Connecticut's "Charter Oak" quarter was born. The U.S. Mint welcomes the Connecticut quarter, rounding out the class of 1999 under the 50 State Quarters® Program.

Kermit the Frog, the popular amphibian character of the Muppets created by the late Jim Henson of The Jim Henson Company, was appearing as the official " Spokesfrog" of the 50 State Quarters® Program.

"And what better 'frog' to bring the message of the program not only in an educational way but a fun way, too," said Diehl.

"Indeed! As you can see I am the color of money!" replied Kermit"