In the USA, since 1999 the US Mint has been issuing quarters (25c coins) with designs commemorating particular states. The last
set of 5 quarters will be issued in 2008, and the designs have just been announced.
The finalists for the
Oklahoma design
included
one with a windmill (wind engine) on it, described thus:
On the left-hand side of the coin is an old-fashioned windmill, balanced on the right by a gushing oil derrick.
Taken together, these illustrations represent agriculture and oil and gas innovations, both of which greatly influenced
development of Oklahoma. In the middle of the coin is an illustration of waving wheat along with a figure inspired by
the Pioneer Woman, a Ponca City statue representing the courage, tenacity and ingenuity of the pioneers who endured
hardships to realize their dreams.
(The Mint switched the sides of the windmill and oil derrick.when refining the design).
The design with the windmill was not chosen - instead a rather unexciting design with a bird and flowers was chosen instead -
commentators have suggested that this was simply the "politically correct" choice:
Edmond Sun,
Tahlequah Daily Press.