In 1985, the flag was again modified to specify the font used in “Montana:” Helvetica Bold. Before it was adopted as a state flag, it was used by Montana troops deploying for the Spanish/American War.
State Nickname:
The most familiar nickname for Montana is “The Treasure State” because of the state’s rich mineral reserves.
The mountains of Montana have yielded fortunes in gold and silver since the first substantial deposits were discovered in the mid 1800’s. Montana also has sapphires (gemstone symbol of Montana).
Another familiar and competing nickname for Montana is “Big Sky Country,” made popular by a Montana State Highway Department promotion in the 1960’s which originated from a book by Alfred Bertram Guthrie Jr. titled “Big Sky”.
Neither nickname is official and both have been used on important items of state identification including vehicle license plates and United States commemorative state quarters.
