New Ohio quarter. | ZOOM |

        FAIRBORN, Ohio — All it took was a quarter to bring together two space legends on the same stage Monday — Neil Armstrong and John Glenn.

        The former astronauts, with Gov. Bob Taft and U.S. Treasurer Rosario Marin, celebrated the release of “Birthplace of Aviation Pioneers,” Ohio's state quarter, at the United States Air Force Museum.

        This month, the U.S. Mint will produce about 750 million of the quarters, which feature the Wright Brothers' 1905 Flyer III (the first practical aircraft) and a representation of an astronaut.

John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, and U.S. Treasurer Rosario Marin hand out the quarters to school children at the United States Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

        “Ohio has bragging rights ... but North Carolina isn't to be slighted,” said Mr. Armstrong, referring to the two states' squabble over which is the rightful birthplace of aviation. “It was natural for them (the Wrights) to go to a place where they had confidence of getting wind. So both states can take justifiable pride.

        “Ohio had the intellect, Carolina the wind.”

        The crowd, estimated at 2,000 by the sponsoring Ohio Bicentennial Commission, roared in approval.

        “It's amazing, but only about 63 years elapsed between the Wright Brothers and the first lunar walk,” said Mr. Glenn, a New Concord native.

        Gov. Taft encouraged teachers to visit the U.S. Mint's Web site (www.usmint.gov/kids) to see online lesson plans.

        The state quarters are “redefining the use of currency as an educational tool,” Ms. Marin said.

        The Ohio quarter, arriving in banks this week, also will be collected for its intrinsic value — especially in Ohio.

        “These coins get hoarded pretty quickly,” said Joe Barrett of Main Street Coin in Hamilton.

        Although he said the state quarters won't be extremely valuable in his lifetime (he's 32), “they are doing a service. They have people looking at their pocket change again.”

        It's worth today?

        “From a numismatic standpoint, the reality is: It's worth 25 cents.”

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