{"id":26,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:49:02","latitude":40.26407017069283966748116654343903064727783203125,"longitude":-76.884551525099595892243087291717529296875,"title":"The Commonwealth Statue and the 50 State Quarters Program","subtitle":"","fullsize":"https://harrisburghistorical.org/files/fullsize/276a361ba466a8c5b4ba796c7ef72606.jpg","address":"501 N Third St, Harrisburg, PA 17120","all_locations":[],"zoom":16,"creator":["Emmy Varner"],"description":"<p><em>The Pennsylvania commemorative quarter will invite the world to learn about the core principles of our commonwealth.</em><br />—Governor Tom Ridge </p>\n<p>The statue <em>Commonwealth</em> was installed on the top of the Pennsylvania State Capitol building’s dome on May 25, 1905. Architect Joseph Huston had commissioned Roland Hinton Perry to sculpt the 14’6” gilded statue for the new State Capitol building. The three-ton woman holds a ribbon in her left hand to symbolize justice and extends her right hand to show mercy. This same statue is featured on the Pennsylvania state quarter, a reminder of the spirit of Pennsylvania.</p>\nThis <a href=\"https://arcg.is/0zPaKn0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">StoryMap</a> contains more information on the Fifty State Quarters Program, the Pennsylvania quarter, and the <em>Commonwealth</em>. <br /><br /><span>A full list of the resources used in this story can be found <a href=\"https://www.zotero.org/groups/5114087/harrisburg_historical/collections/FUNS7PHA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here</a>.</span>","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"","lede":"Standing atop Pennsylvania's Capitol dome, the golden statue <em>Commonwealth</em> found its way onto hundreds of millions of quarters, carrying the state's symbol of justice and mercy across America.","website":"<a href=\"https://pacapitol.com/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Pennsylvania State Capitol: A National Historic Landmark</a>","related_resources":["<a href=\"https://arcg.is/0zPaKn0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">From Design to Couch Cushion: The Spirit of the Commonwealth Quarter</a><a href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20160310125307/http://www.usmint.gov/downloads/mint_programs/50sqReport.pdf\"></a>","<a href=\"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-105publ124/pdf/PLAW-105publ124.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">50 States Commemorative Coin Program Act</a>","<a href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20080103212739/http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/50sq_program/states/index.cfm?state=PA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The United States Mint: Pennsylvania</a>","<a href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20160310125307/http://www.usmint.gov/downloads/mint_programs/50sqReport.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">50 State Quarters Report: 10 Years of Honoring Our Nation's History and Heritage</a>"],"factoids":["The Pennsylvania state quarter design features the state outline, a keystone, the state motto, and the statue <em>Commonwealth</em>. You can learn more about the quarter's creation and design <a href=\"https://arcg.is/0zPaKn0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here</a>."],"files":{"https://harrisburghistorical.org/files/fullsize/276a361ba466a8c5b4ba796c7ef72606.jpg":{"id":158,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Pennsylvania State Quarter Nomination","description":"Drawing of a state quarter nomination with a keystone symbol and a ruffed grouse | Pennsylvania State Archives (RG-013.344, Records of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Box 2) | 1998","thumbnail":"https://harrisburghistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/276a361ba466a8c5b4ba796c7ef72606.jpg"},"https://harrisburghistorical.org/files/fullsize/479c53b23a927b3fcb4613123bee2e06.jpg":{"id":159,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Quarter Nomination","description":"Drawing of a state quarter nomination featuring a covered wagon, Independence Hall, the state motto, and an Eastern Hemlock tree | Pennsylvania State Archives (RG-013.344, Records of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Box 1) | 1998 | Gleason H. Crumling","thumbnail":"https://harrisburghistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/479c53b23a927b3fcb4613123bee2e06.jpg"},"https://harrisburghistorical.org/files/fullsize/4cd4d754d6592ea8e3047210f5d915cc.jpg":{"id":160,"mime-type":"image/png","title":"Pennsylvania Quarter Dollar Nomination","description":"Drawing of a quarter nomination featuring William Penn and Tamanend shaking hands with the Pennsylvania state outline, a keystone, and the state motto in the background | Pennsylvania State Archives (RG-013.344, Records of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Box 2) | 1998 | Alan R. Ferster","thumbnail":"https://harrisburghistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/4cd4d754d6592ea8e3047210f5d915cc.jpg"},"https://harrisburghistorical.org/files/fullsize/fb128b86559b6dc61b07393f83bb46b6.jpg":{"id":162,"mime-type":"image/png","title":"The Keystone State Quarter Nomination","description":"Drawing of a state quarter nomination depicting the state outline, a keystone, and several natural objects | Pennsylvania State Archives (RG-013.344, Records of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Box 3) | 1998 | Amanda Sikora","thumbnail":"https://harrisburghistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/fb128b86559b6dc61b07393f83bb46b6.jpg"}}}