Candidate designs for the 2017 Ellis Island National Monument quarter
Several candidate designs for the new 2017 Ellis Island National Monument quarter were considered in October 2015 by the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC). The CFA recommended design NJ-01 as best representing the history and setting of Ellis Island with an immigrant family, the waters of New York Harbor and the center’s Hospital Building in the background. The CCAC did not select any of the designs and requested new proposals or re-workings. The citizens group approved a modified version of design NJ-01 at a later review in February of 2016.
Most of Ellis Island, the site of the nation’s busiest immigration center from 1892-1954, is located within the state of New Jersey while a small portion is in New York. Just to the south of Ellis Island in New York Harbor is Liberty Island where the Statue of Liberty has welcomed newcomers to America since 1886. The impressive main building on Ellis Island, constructed of red brick with limestone trim, now houses an interactive museum of immigration that illuminates the major role of Ellis Island in the development of our country.
After input from the CFA, CCAC and representatives of Ellis Island National Monument, the final design will be selected by the secretary of the Treasury and will appear on the fourth new quarter design of 2017 and 39th issue of the 2010-2021 National Park quarter series.
