January 27, 2014 – 11:00 am
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.
January 16, 2014 – 12:00 pm
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Home to miles upon miles of scenic landscape in eastern Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its sweeping panoramas, untamed wilderness and its wide variety of wildlife. Established in 1926, the park protects about 2,115 miles of streams, plus over 800 miles of trails that are enjoyed by hikers, bikers and campers. It will be featured on the 2014 National Park quarters, as the first release of the year (21st in the series).
As America’s most visited national park, Great Smoky Mountains hosts an average of 8-10 million people each year! It’s also home to Clingmans Dome – one of the highest points east of the Mississippi River. From its peak height of 6,643 feet, visitors are treated to views of up to 100 miles on a clear day!
In the park’s higher elevations, the average rainfall per year is 85 inches. This qualifies those areas as temperate rain forests. And as leaves begin to change in the fall, the mountains (which are home to around 100 different species of trees) come to life in a spectacular display of color.
Learn more about Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
December 8, 2013 – 8:02 pm
The new 2013 Mount Rushmore National Memorial quarter was released for circulation at a November 6, 2013 launch ceremony at National Guard Armory in Custer, South Dakota – located a few miles from the National Memorial. At a coin exchange following the ceremony, cash could be exchanged for $10 rolls of the new coins.
Designed by sculptor Joseph Menna, the Mount Rushmore quarter is the 20th issue of the 2010-2021 National Park Quarter Series and the last of five new 2013 designs. Depicting workers adding the final details to Thomas Jefferson’s face, the new quarter offers an educational perspective on the construction and creation of the revered mountain sculpture. Add the new Mount Rushmore quarters to your collection now.
August 16, 2013 – 11:45 am
The new 2013 Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine quarter was released into circulation during August. The fourth of five new 2013 designs, and 19th issue of the National Park quarter series, the new quarter portrays Fort McHenry during its annual Defenders’ Day celebration. The fireworks symbolize “the bombs bursting in air” at the cherished birthplace of America’s national anthem.
Constructed between 1799 and 1802 in the shape of a five-pointed star, Fort McHenry endured a two-day bombardment by British warships during the War of 1812 to successfully defend Baltimore Harbor. The sight of the fort’s huge 32′ x 40′ American flag still flying on the morning of September 14, 1814 inspired Francis Scott Key to write a poem he called “Defense of Fort McHenry” that later became The Star Spangled Banner.
Add the new 2013 Fort McHenry quarters to your collection today.
The new Great Basin National Park Quarter, the eighteenth issue of the series, and third design for 2013, will soon be in circulation. On Thursday, June 20th, the official launch ceremony for the new Great Basin quarter will take place at the National Park Visitor Center in Baker, Nevada.
Baker, NV, has about 65 year-round residents, but has thousands of visitors annually who pass through on their way to the park. Located just 5 miles from the park’s entrance, the town is the site for the Great Basin Visitor Center which will host the launch ceremony. The 2013 series quarters honor some of America’s more interesting national forests, parks, and memorials – White Mountain, Perry’s Victory, Great Basin, Fort McHenry and Mount Rushmore. Add the new Great Basin National Park Quarters to your collection now.
