In 2005, it will be California's turn to make the rest of America ask the question, "Just what the heck is that supposed to be on the back of this new quarter?"
Presenting all 20 nominees. Winner to be selected by votes cast at the State of California Quarter Design Poll ... or by the largest donor to Governor Davis' presidential campaign committee.
COIN ONE
This depicts a long-standing California tradition, worthy of representation on a quarter: A Northern Californian, staring at a free-flowing stream, while thinking, "Damned if I'll let any of this water go to L.A.!"
COIN TWO
Celebrating the greatest California commodity, hazy thinking. A bridge that connects what appears to be Palm Desert with the Redwoods, with no water in between. As seen in the movie, "Cheech and Chong's Nice Dreams."
COIN THREE
Why do millions of visitors head to one of California's greatest natural attractions? To see hungry bears, prowling Yosemite Valley for garbage. Special guest appearance by a Japanese tour bus, beneath the bear's rear paw.
COIN FOUR
Grace Slick, extolling the virtues of Yellow Sunshine acid. Now, that's California!
COIN FIVE
The bountiful agricultural wealth of California is represented by this 25-cent nominee, complete with pumpkins, grapes, wheat, peaches, corn and peas. Can you spot the marijuana plant?
COIN SIX
There's no biz in the Golden State like show biz. The three movie frames here represent solid Hollywood traditions: paying off the Church to stay silent about the violence and sex in the cinema; George Lucas attempting to finance his next "Star Wars" picture; and, the location of the last known siting of Gary Busey.
COIN SEVEN
California's natural beauty, represented by a redwood tree, a yucca, two palms and a... well, it's hard to make out what that is, in all this smog.
COIN EIGHT
California celebrates its psychedelic condition! Here, the ghost of Jerry Garcia tosses out a towel from Eureka which magically transforms into celluloid with a poppy attached. In the background, armies of flesh eating ants march towards the San Fernando Valley, while Timothy Leary's spaceship heads for Avalon.
COIN NINE
Perhaps the California quarter should bear an image of the simple elegance of the state's most famous bridge. But seeing how the middle pylon seems to be floating on top of the water, perhaps the phrase, "Not in this Area" is more truthful than we would like to admit.
COIN TEN
When in doubt, throw everything onto the back of a quarter, including a satellite view of California in the summer, when the Sierra Nevada, Cascade and Coastal mountain ranges are aflame.
COIN ELEVEN
This esoteric engraving has won the support of the "Sacramento Bee". The pointy things in front can be interpreted as, a) ocean waves; b) mountain tops; or, c) Burt Reynolds' hair plugs.
COIN TWELVE
Look! It's Xena, Princess Warrior with her new friend, Smokey the Bear! Or, it's a fanciful interpretation of a young Elizabeth Taylor showing off the engagement ring presented to her by her latest fiancee, a very hung over Richard Burton.
COIN THIRTEEN
A great event in California history: a starving, 19th Century prospector wondering if the bear piss in his pan is OK to drink. A Golden Moment!
COIN FOURTEEN
Lights! Camera! Boredom!
COIN FIFTEEN
This nominee for California's quarter represents the sum total of geographical knowledge of the typical high school junior in the state's overcrowded classrooms: Eureka has a big bridge which crosses a lake on its way to the Sepulveda Pass.
COIN SIXTEEN
Yes, the most important city in California is Eureka, home of gold nuggets, quail, a tree native to the Sierra Nevada mountains and smoke, from the area's marijuana farms.
COIN SEVENTEEN
OK, California was admitted into the Union in 1850, not 1849. And, that tree is actually a "giganteum". Sure, the coin won't be released until 2005. And nitpickers will argue that the "Largest Living Thing on Earth" is actually Marlon Brando. Other than that, good job, California Quarter Selection Committee!
COIN EIGHTEEN
This nominee represents a significant event in California history: the discovery of dates in Indio!
COIN NINETEEN
What is California without red poppies (symbolizing drug addiction), missions (symbolizing enslavement of native Americans), a bridge (there's that damn bridge again!) and a slow, outdated mode of transportation?
COIN TWENTY
California's dream meets the California nightmare: a bridge that seems to float in the air, attempting to hide our state going through a massive power blackout.