Nevada, #1

Nevada’s unique Great Basin topography symbolizes the state’s geologic importance. The famous Virginia & Truckee locomotive #18 (the "Dayton") served Nevada during the great gold & silver mining boom, and is reminiscent of the Silver State’s "Wild, Wild West". The Dayton is on permanent display at the Nevada state railroad museum in Carson City.

The coin image is patterned after coins once minted from Nevada gold and silver at the Carson City mint. It shows the state capitol’s famous "CC" mint mark. The legends were changed to show the official Nevada state mottoes "All For Our Country" and "Battle Born".

The pair of aces is representative of the state’s gaming industry. The ace of diamonds symbolizes the glamour of Las Vegas, and the ace of hearts symbolizes the romance of Nevada.

The small square on the map shows the location of the mysterious and legendary "Area 51".

Colorado, #1

America the Beautiful.

Pike’s Peak rising above a wheat field.

When Katharine Lee Bates visited Colorado in 1893, she was moved to write the song "America The Beautiful".

The first passage in the song was inspired by a trip atop Pike’s Peak:
"O Beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties, Above the fruited plain…".

Colorado, #2

10th Mountain Division.

The 10th Mountain Division was the famous "soldiers on skis" US Army unit that fought in WW2.

They trained in the Colorado Rockies and were based at Camp Hale near Leadville.

After the war, some of the soldiers returned to Colorado and were instrumental in developing the state’s ski industry.

The famous Maroon Bells peaks rise in the background.

Produced in association with Colorado Ski Country USA.

Colorado, #3

Four corners.

The rectangle represents the state outline and the four corners of the state.

Center: A WW2 10th Mountain Division skier represents the mountains and recreational opportunities in Colorado.

Upper Left (Northwest): A Stegosaurus (the state fossil) representing Dinosaur National Monument.

Upper Right (Northeast): A Cheyenne Nation teepee represents the Native American heritage of Colorado's eastern plains.

Lower Right (Southeast): Wheat stalks symbolize the agricultural industries of Colorado and the eastern plains.

Lower Left (Southwest): Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde National Park.

Produced in association with Colorado Ski Country USA.

Colorado, #4

Mountain Cabin.

A pair of skis stuck in the snow along a path leading to a mountain cabin, symbolizing the recreational opportunities in Colorado’s high country.

The cabin sits in a mountain valley surrounded by Blue Spruce (the state tree), with majestic peaks in the background.

Produced in association with Colorado Ski Country USA.

Colorado, #5

Mile-high topography.

A perspective aerial view of the state’s topography, looking north.

Colorado’s three main geographical regions are identified by the legend
"Plateau, Mountain, & Plain".

Below that is a profile line which represents the state’s elevation when traversed from west to east through the three geographic regions.

Colorado, #6

Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde National Park.

Mesa Verde National Park is one of the world’s premier archaeological sites.

An impressive sight, Cliff Palace was built under an enormous overhanging rock cliff, and it is the largest grouping of structures in the park.

Colorado, #7

A Stegosaurus at Red Rocks.

A Stegosaurus (the state fossil) leaves tracks in the mud. Colorado is one of the world’s premier locations for dinosaur fossils.

In the background is the famous "Red Rocks" formation (minus the amphitheater).

Adjacent to Red Rocks is "Dinosaur Ridge", where dinosaur footprints and fossils were discovered.