Candidate designs for new 2013 White Mountains National Forest Quarter

January 8, 2013 – 9:50 pm

In late 2011, the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) each met to review candidate designs for the reverse of the 2013 White Mountains National Forest quarter.

U.S. Mint art for the top contenders for the White Mountain National Forest quarter design

U.S. Mint art for the top contenders for the White Mountain National Forest quarter design

At the CFA’s meeting in October, the group made a recommendation for a design depicting a mountain in the distance, seen through scattered trees. Meanwhile, during their November meeting, the CCAC favored a similar design, though they preferred a version with a clear view of the mountain.

The rugged, mountainous terrain of the White Mountain National Forest is popular for its wide variety of outdoor activities. The region’s tall mountains – many over 4,000 feet – provide superb panoramic views. From mid-September into October, tourists flock to see these mountains ablaze with the vibrant red, orange, and yellow colors of the fall foliage season.

Each of the proposed designs for the White Mountains quarter pays tribute to the area’s handsome landscape and wildlife.

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White Mountains National Forest featured 16th in National Park Quarter series

January 2, 2013 – 9:03 am
White Mountains National Forest

Snow-capped mountains in the White Mountains National Forest in New Hampshire during the autumn foliage season

Long before settlers arrived in the region, the present-day White Mountains were home to Native Americans. In the 19th century, sailors named the mountains after the snow-capped peaks they could see from the sea. Today, the rugged, mountainous terrain of the White Mountain National Forest is popular for its wide variety of year-round outdoor activities. It will be honored on one of the 2013 National Park quarters, as the first release of the year (16th in the series).

The region’s tall mountains – many over 4,000 feet – provide superb panoramic views. In fact, on a clear day, one can see all the way to Canada and New York from on top of Mount Washington! From mid-September into October, tourists flock to see these mountains ablaze with the vibrant red, orange, and yellow colors of the fall foliage season.

Amazingly, for over 60 years, the top of Mount Washington held the record for the highest wind speed on land. In April 1934, a gust of 231 mph was recorded by the Mount Washington Observatory. Today, that record still stands as the northern hemisphere’s fastest wind. And with an average of more than 20 feet of snow annually, and 300 days of fog cover per year, Mount Washington is also said to be home to the world’s worst weather!

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2012 Denali National Park Quarter released at Healy, AK

November 15, 2012 – 7:16 am

The new Denali National Park quarter, the fifteenth issue of the series, and fifth design for 2012, will soon be in circulation. On Thursday, November 15th, the official launch ceremony for the new Denali quarter will take place at the Tri-Valley Community Center in Healy, Alaska.

With 1,000 residents, Healy is the largest community within the Denali Borough, and is located about 250 miles north of Anchorage. After the ceremony, the mint will hold a coin exchange and children will receive new quarters, featuring the majestic Mount McKinley in the background, with a Dall sheep in the foreground. The 2012 series quarters honor some of America’s more interesting national forests and parks – El Yunque, Chaco Culture, Acadia, Hawai’i Volcanoes and Denali. Add the new Denali National Park Quarters to your collection, now.

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For the first time in nearly 60 years… San Francisco Mint issued Uncirculated “S” Quarters!

October 9, 2012 – 8:50 am

In 2012 – after exclusively producing U.S. Proof and commemorative coins for decades – the prestigious San Francisco Mint struck the first regular-issue U.S. quarters in 58 years. A limited number of regular-issue 2012 National Park quarters will be struck at San Francisco for collectors, and will feature “S” mint marks below the motto IN GOD WE TRUST on the obverse.

These special-issue quarters will be issued for all five 2012 designs – honoring El Yunque National Forest, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, as well as Acadia, Hawai’i Volcanoes, and Denali National Parks. Now, you can add the 2012-S Uncirculated quarters to your collection!

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2012 Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Quarter released at Kahua Hula

August 27, 2012 – 9:00 am

The new Hawaii Volcanoes quarter, the fourteenth issue of the series and fourth design for 2012, is now in circulation. During the last week of August, the official launch ceremony for the new Hawai’i Volcanoes quarter took place at Kahua Hula, south of the Kilauea Visitor Center at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii.

The park’s main visitor center is located on Crater Drive, a road that is just over 10 miles and loops around the Kilauea Caldera. After the ceremony, the mint held a coin exchange, where children received new quarters featuring the east rift of the Kilauea Volcano. The 2012 series quarters honor some of America’s more interesting national forests and parks – El Yunque, Chaoco Culture, Acadia, Hawai’i Volcanoes and Denali. Add the new Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park quarters to your collection now.

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