Denali National Park quarter design
On December 8, 2011, the U.S. Mint unveiled the final design for the 2012 Denali National Park Quarter. As the last release of the year, the Denali quarter will feature the majestic Mount McKinley in the background, with a Dall sheep in the foreground.
Located in interior Alaska, Denali National Park is home to the highest mountain in North America, Mount McKinley, which rises 20,320 feet. From its base at 2,000 feet above sea level, Mount McKinley soars 18,000 feet to its peak. Over time, tens of thousands of people have attempted to reach the summit – though only about 50% of those who attempt the climb actually reach the top.
Created by U.S. Mint’s Artistic Infusion Master Designer Susan Gamble, the image of the lofty mountain with the iconic sheep on the reverse was crafted by the mint’s Medallic Sculptor Jim Licaretz. The reverse inscriptions include the name of the site: Denali, the year of issue: 2012 and the motto: e pluribus unum and the state.
This handsome quarter is a perfect match for the 2008 Statehood Quarter, which also featured Alaska, the park’s home state. As 15th in the series overall, the Denali National Park quarter will be the final coin for 2012.
