Candidate designs for the new 2017 George Rogers Clark National Historical Park quarter
In October 2015, the Commission of Fine Arts and Citizens Advisory Committee met to review eleven designs for the reverse of the 2017 George Rogers Clark National Historical Park quarter. All designs varied: Four show the statue of George Rogers Clark in the foreground with the memorial in the background and various inscriptions, three feature him in profile, looking at the American flag, and the surrendered Fort Sackville in the background, two show him in frontier garb with Fort Sackville in the background. The last two designs depict him – one leading men through chilly waters and the other motioning his men forward to attack.
After the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) reviews designs, the U.S. Mint recommends the favorites to the Secretary of the Treasury who then makes the final selection.
The George Rogers Clark coin will honor this beautiful park that’s home to the Greek-style memorial – the largest outside of Washington, D.C. – and the larger-than-life bronze statue of Clark inside.
The new Ozark National Scenic Riverways quarter, 38th issue of the series and the third design for 2017, is now in circulation. On June 5, 2017, the official launch ceremony for the new Ozark quarter took place at Alley Spring and Mill, which is located in Eminence, Missouri.
After the ceremony, a coin exchange was held where attendees were able to get $10 rolls of the new quarters at face value. This issue features Alley Mill, a steel roller mill built in the 1890s and used to grind wheat into flour. Add the new Ozark quarters to your collection now.
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
Located along the Wabash River in Vincennes, IN, George Rogers Clark National Historical Park honors the Lieutenant Colonel George Rogers Clark and the men who secured Fort Sackville, during the Revolutionary War. In the 1770s, Kentucky was the frontier. The English, stationed at the fort, often sent Native Americans to attack the American settlers. Determined to put an end to such attacks, Clark with 170 men marched 18 days during midwinter and captured it in 1779. They forced the British to surrender and paved the way for future settlements in the Midwest. Clark was only 25 when he achieved this victory, and earned the nickname “Conqueror of the Old Northwest”.
As the 150th anniversary of the Revolutionary War drew near, citizens in Indiana became interested in honoring Clark. In 1928, President Coolidge established the George Rogers Clark Sesquicentennial Commission to create a permanent memorial to Clark near the ruins of the fort. The memorial rotunda was completed in 1933, dedicated by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936 and the building and grounds became a national park in 1966.
Learn more about George Rogers Clark National Historical Park.
Ellis Island National Monument quarter design
On September 1, 2016, the U.S. Mint unveiled the final design for the 2017 Ellis Island National Monument quarter. The special reverse design will depict an immigrant family approaching Ellis Island with expressions of both hope and uncertainty. The boy proudly holds a small American flag as the immigration center’s Hospital Building is seen beyond the harbor waters. Inscriptions on the reverse will include ellis island, new jersey, e pluribus unum and 2017.
The Ellis Island quarter is the 39th issue in the 2010-2021 National Park series and fourth new design of 2017. The Ellis Island coin follows 2017 issues featuring Effigy Mounds National Monument, Frederick Douglass National Historic Site and Ozark National Scenic Riverways. It precedes the final 2017 quarter honoring George Rogers Clark National Historical Park.
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.
