2007-P 25C Wyoming (Regular Strike)

Released on September 4, 2007, the 2007-P Wyoming State Quarter (#39036) was the 44th issue and the second-to-last coin in the popular Washington 50 State Quarters Program. Despite its late debut—a time when public enthusiasm for the series had diminished—the circulating commemorative coin stood out as one of the most representative designs of its state. The U.S. Mint handled the design in-house, featuring a simple, though polarizing, silhouette of a cowboy atop a bucking bronco.

Wyoming became a state on July 10, 1890. Its official nickname, “The Equality State,” refers to its having been the first territory or state to grant women the right to vote and hold public office in 1869. This nickname is prominently inscribed on the reverse.

The Origin of the Bucking Horse and Rider

The bucking horse and rider insignia can be traced back to World War I, when members of the Wyoming National Guard applied the logo to their equipment when stationed out of state or overseas.

• The University of Wyoming adopted the logo in 1921.
• It is thought to depict a famous, unrideable horse named Steamboat being ridden by a cowboy named Guy Holt. The scene is the subject of a photo taken in 1903 that was used as the basis for the University of Wyoming’s logo.
• The State of Wyoming adopted the design for its license plates in 1936, solidifying its place as the state’s primary symbol.

The 2007-P Wyoming Quarter’s Design Process

In 2004, Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal (D) appointed 13 historians and other experts to the Wyoming Coinage Advisory Committee, which solicited more than 3,200 submissions from the public. The committee met in January 2005 and culled the thousands of submissions down to five final design narratives submitted to the United States Mint.

Four of the five proposed designs for Wyoming’s state quarter featured the iconic horse-and-rider motif. The fifth depicted Old Faithful, the geyser in Yellowstone National Park, which would eventually feature alongside a bison on Wyoming’s America the Beautiful quarter in 2010. Other design elements included an outline of the state and depictions of the Grand Tetons.

Designated WY-1 to WY-5, both the federal Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and the federal Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) reviewed the proposals in early 2006, recommending different designs.

• CFA Preference: The CFA recommended WY-1, which depicted the horse and rider motif in silhouette, at its January 19, 2006 meeting. The CFA’s meeting minutes described the horse and rider motif as “powerful” and as appropriate an image as Old Faithful, though it mildly criticized the inclusion of the state motto: “The state motto, ‘The Equality State,’ does not seem to have any relationship with the cowboy image and could be eliminated.”
• CCAC Preference: At its January 24, 2006 meeting, the CCAC recommended the reverse design designated WY-4, explaining that “this theme –though conventional – was seen as authentic and successful.” The CCAC, however, did express curiosity about the CFA’s preferred silhouette (WY-1), writing: “Members agreed that this could be an innovative quarter if such a difference in texture could be created.”

Ultimately, the Governor selected the design favored by the CCAC: the simple, silhouetted horse and rider. U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist Donna Weaver created the final design, and Norman E. Nemeth sculpted it.

Release and Public Reception

The coins were released on September 4, 2007, with a launch ceremony at the Cheyenne Civic Center on September 14 featuring Mint Director Edmund C. Moy and Governor Freudenthal. The event highlighted Wyoming’s history, noting that the state’s first female governor, Nellie Tayloe Ross, was also the first woman to serve as Director of the United States Mint.

• Examples of the quarters were sold at the event with commemorative cards, produced by Wyoming-based company UniCover Corp., for $2. The cards’ designs featured some of the themes that were ultimately not selected, including the Grand Tetons and Devil’s Tower.
• Widespread Approval: The design was generally applauded upon its announcement and release. Jack Rosenthal, chairman of the selection committee, was quoted saying that “nearly half of those who submitted ideas for the state quarter said they liked the bucking horse.” Governor Freudenthal expressed his pleasure, saying the coin “Represented… both our proud Western heritage and our historical role in establishing equal voting rights for women.”
• Early Finds: The quarter quickly entered circulation, with Coin World receiving a report of the first circulation find from a collector in Virginia the day after the launch.

Numismatic Controversy and Varieties

Nevertheless, many numismatists don’t remember Wyoming’s state quarter quite as fondly. Its silhouetted, featureless design was a first among the 50 State Quarters, creating a deep split in reception.

Design Criticism

The simplicity of the design drew comparisons to the designs of the state quarters honoring Texas, Michigan, and Idaho.

• Lack of Detail: Dwight Brockman, owner of The Coin Shop in Cheyenne until 2015, expressed the core critique of many numismatists: “I think that was the biggest disappointment with the real numismatists, is there’s no detail in this thing… The cowboy on this coin, it looks like a cookie.”
• "Ugly Duckling": In August 2016, Coin World included the 2007 Wyoming quarter in a feature article on “America’s Ugly Duckling Coins,” describing the issue as “particularly ugly.” Collector Mitch Ernst summarized this sentiment, stating: “I find the stark, plain, severe simplicity ugly and in my opinion, the design does not represent the grandeur of the state nor the strength of its people.”

Abstract Simplicity: A Revolutionary Contrast

It is easy to see why the silhouetted cowboy disappointed some upon release, but its abstract simplicity now feels revolutionary. When compared to the visually dense designs of the America the Beautiful series that followed, the 2007 Wyoming Quarter functions as an impressionistic canvas, inviting the viewer to interpret the image instead of simply showing them what to see.

Varieties

PCGS certifies two Cherrypicker's Guide varieties, both feature a Doubled Die Reverse.

The FS-801 is the more dramatic of the two, and the doubling on both can clearly be seen (likely with the aid of low magnification) on saddle horn.

Mintage and Value

Mintage and Circulation

In total, The Philadelphia Mint struck 243,600,000 2007-P Wyoming Quarters. This mintage is typical for State Quarters struck in the later part of the series, reflecting waning public collecting enthusiasm and less favorable economic conditions.

Additionally, the Mint struck 895,628 2007-P Wyoming Quarters with a Satin Finish (#389914). The Satin Finish coins were produced for inclusion in the 2007 United States Mint Uncirculated Coin Set and have a distinct appearance that sets them apart from business strikes. Due to the care of their production and handling, Satin Finish Quarters are typically found in Superb Gem grades.

Value

2007-P Wyoming Quarters found in circulation are heavily worn and worth only face value (25 cents). Raw uncirculated examples (Mint State) command a small premium, but significant value only begins at high certification levels. While a coin pulled from a fresh roll typically grades between MS-64 and MS-66, the issue becomes conditionally scarce starting around MS-67 and above. The record public price paid for a 2007-P Wyoming Quarter is $2,115, achieved in January 2017 for a PCGS MS-68 example sold at Heritage Auctions.

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