Oregon quarters starring Crater Lake selling well

PORTLAND – Oregon quarters featuring Crater Lake went briskly during last week’s launch celebration at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland. Nearly $60,000 worth of the coins sold during a two-hour period, according to the U.S. Mint. The rolls of 40 quarters cost $10 and were sold on a cash-only basis.

The Mint’s 50 State Quarters Program releases the quarters in order of each state’s admittance to the Union. Oregon is 33rd.

Oregon’s quarter is the third state commemorative quarter to be issued this year, following California and Minnesota, where organizers sold $70,000 worth of rolls during the launch. Other states with quarters out this year are Kansas and West Virginia.

Travel Oregon, Gov. Ted Kulongoski, Crater Lake National Park, and Southern Oregon tourism organizations hope the quarter will encourage visitors to see the lake. With a maximum depth of 1,943 feet, it’s the deepest in the United States and seventh deepest in the world.

The quarter’s design was one of four finalists. The others were Mount Hood, a wagon and Indian village on the Oregon Trail, and a leaping salmon.

Todd Davidson, chief executive officer of Travel Oregon, bought three rolls. Davidson said he’s keeping one roll at home, and handing out quarters on his state travels.