February 3, 2015 – 8:32 am
Candidate designs for the Homestead National Monument of America quarter
Early in 2014, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee reviewed several candidate designs for the reverse of the 2015 Homestead National Monument of America quarter.
The committee was split in their recommendations. While some preferred a rendition depicting a homesteader working a team of horses, most support fell to the coin featuring shelter, water and food – three things needed by every homesteader for survival.
That same design was selected by the Commission of Fine Arts as their favorite. Between the two groups, some modifications to the proposed design were suggested. These included removing the stars surrounding the design, and reducing the size of the ears of wheat. The addition of the words “Free Land” above the design was also mentioned as a possibility.
Located in Nebraska, Homestead honors the early pioneers under America’s Homestead Act of 1862, and their impact on the westward expansion of the United States.
January 26, 2015 – 9:27 am
Homestead National Monument, Nebraska
The open landscape of southern Nebraska makes a fitting tribute to the hard work and dedication of enterprising “homesteaders” during the second half of the 19th century. When President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act in 1862, he opened the West to Americans.
For just an $18 filing fee, anyone could mark a claim on a 160-acre plot of land in one of 30 states. The only requirement was that they work to farm and improve the land for the next five years.
At the end of that time frame, the Homesteader could “prove up.” He or she would file a document stating what they had done with the land, and get two friends or neighbors to support their statement. Once they had filed with the government, the Homesteader would receive the patent to their land.
Legend holds that Daniel Freeman filed the very first claim for the Homestead Act – at just 10 minutes past midnight on the first day of the Act (January 1, 1863). The final claim was filed in 1974 by Ken Deardorff, when he “proved up” on 80 acres in southwestern Alaska.
Learn more about Homestead National Monument of America.
November 11, 2014 – 9:41 am
The new Everglades quarter, the 25th issue of the series and final design for 2014, is now in circulation. Everglades quarters were released into general circulation during the first week of November. The official launch ceremony for the coin will take place on December 4th, at the recreational park, Harris Field Park, in the Sally Wood Barn Pavilion in Homestead, FL, south of Miami.
Homestead is known as the gateway to the Everglades & Biscayne National Parks. But the park’s main visitor center, Ernest F. Coe, is located about 10 miles southwest. The center offers interactive displays, maps and brochures and a few miles out, access to hiking trails.
After the ceremony, the mint will hold a coin exchange and children will receive new quarters, featuring the Anhinga bird and a Roseate Spoonbill. The 2014 series quarters honor some of America’s more dramatic national parks – Great Smoky Mountains, Shenandoah, Arches, Great Sand Dunes and, now with this release, Everglades. Update your collection today with new Everglades National Park Quarters.
August 12, 2014 – 8:51 am
The new Great Sand Dunes Quarter, the 24th issue of the series, and fourth design for 2014, will soon be in circulation. Coins will be released into general circulation on August 25th. Then, on Thursday, September 4th, the official launch ceremony for the new quarters will take place at the Dunes parking area at the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Mosca, Colorado.
Mosca, Co takes its name from Mosca Pass and is the closest town next to the Great Sand Dunes, located about 23 miles away. Thousands of visitors pass through this small town annually on their way to the park. The 2014 series quarters honor some of America’s more dramatic national parks – Great Smokey Mountains, Shenandoah, Arches and, later in the fall, Everglades. Add the new Great Sand Dunes National Park Quarters to your collection, now.
The new Arches National Park quarter, 23rd issue of the series and the third design for 2014, is now in circulation. On June 6, 2014, the official launch ceremony for the new Arches quarter took place at the Arches National Park Visitor Center in Moab, UT.
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 the park’s famed Delicate Arch, with the La Sal Mountains in the distance. Add the new Arches quarters to your collection now.
