Candidate designs for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Quarter
Early in 2013, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee reviewed four candidate designs for the reverse of the 2014 Great Smoky Mountains National Park quarter. Because of the park’s diversity, it was difficult to design a quarter that captured all of its best features.
The CCAC asked that additional designs be created and submitted, saying that all of those currently being considered have too much detail for a quarter-sized coin. For the committee to recommend a coin design, it has to earn at least 15 out of 30 points on their scoring system. Out of the four designs submitted, the one with the most points (13 out of 30) shows an adult bear and cub in the park’s wilderness.
However, when the Commission of Fine Arts met, the group made a solid recommendation for a design that shows a log cabin and fence, with mountains in the background.
Located in eastern Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains is America’s most visited national park. Covering more than 520,000 acres, it’s home to miles upon miles of scenic landscape and diverse wildlife.
