Following a “first strike” ceremony featuring a contingent from Wisconsin, the first Wisconsin quarters began rolling off the assembly line here and at the mint in Philadelphia. They’ll continue to be minted for the next 10 weeks until an estimated 400 million to 500 million will be circulating through Americans’ pockets and purses.
Soon, Wisconsin’s quarters will be plunked into soda machines and Salvation Army red kettles, tossed into church collection plates and casino slot machines and wind up in kids’ piggy banks and tollbooths for those who have to travel through Illinois.