New Jersey witnessed many Revolutionary battles, such as Battles of Trenton in 1776, Princeton in 1777, and Monmouth in 1778. Before the Battle of Trenton, George Washington made his famous crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas night to defeat the Hessian army. These series of battles gave New Jersey the nickname "Cockpit of the Revolution". In 1804, Aaron Burr, Vice President of the US, shot and killed his political rival, Alexander Hamilton, in Weehawken. Also at the end of the century, Thomas Alva Edison lit the first practical electric lamp at Melno Park, and John P. Holland had launched the first usable submarine.

The New Jersey coin is based on the 1851 painting by Emanuel Leutze. It is a picture of George Washington standing in his boat accompanied by men in the Colonial Army. He is on his way to victory against the British at the battles of Trenton and Princeton. The coin has "Crossroads of the Revolution" printed under the picture and under "New Jersey", "1787" is printed which was the statehood year. This design was picked because of unanimous votes.