The New Jersey quarter's reverse features General George
Washington crossing the Delaware River. The New Jersey quarter,
the third coin in the 50 State Quarters™ Program, depicts
General George Washington and members of the Colonial Army
crossing the Delaware River en route to very important victories
during the Revolutionary War. The design is based on the 1851
painting by Emmanuel Leutze, "Washington Crossing the Delaware,"
which currently hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New
York City. It was a cold Christmas night in 1776 and the
Delaware River was frozen in many places. General George
Washington calculated the enemy would not be expecting an
assault in this kind of weather. He and his soldiers
courageously crossed the Delaware River into Trenton, NJ. Using
surprise as their greatest weapon, Washington's army captured
over 900 prisoners and secured the town. Later that night, his
army continued towards Princeton, NJ, again taking the enemy by
surprise. These two victories proved very important t