April 21, 2010 – 10:51 am
The first issue of the National Park Quarter series, featuring Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, was released by the U.S. Mint on April 19, 2010. The new National Park Quarter series of 2010-2021 will honor a national park or historic site in each of the 50 states, D.C. and the 5 U.S. territories.
The reverse design of the 2010 Hot Springs quarter depicts the facade of the national park’s headquarters with a thermal spring fountain in the foreground. The obverse bears a smaller restored version of the original George Washington portrait introduced on U.S. quarters in 1932. Add the new Hot Springs quarters to your collection.
Hot Springs National Park Quarter
The final approved design for the first National Park quarter was announced on March 24, 2010 at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C.
The reverse of the first new 2010 quarter, honoring Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas as the nation’s first federally protected area (established in 1832), features the facade of the national park’s Visitor’s Center with a fountain in the foreground. The Visitor’s Center is within the historic Fordyce Bathhouse, a Spanish colonial revival-style structure completed in 1936.
Inscriptions on the coin’s reverse include the name of the site – HOT SPRINGS, its location – ARKANSAS, the coin’s year of issue – 2010, and the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. The obverse side features a restored version of the George Washington portrait introduced on U.S. quarters in 1932.
The Hot Springs quarters will be followed by other 2010 quarters honoring Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and Mt. Hood National Forest.
February 5, 2010 – 3:50 pm
U.S. Mint art for the top contenders for the Mt. Hood quarter design.
The Mount Hood National Forest in Oregon, established in 1893, will be honored on the reverse of the fifth and final National Park quarter for 2010. In September 2009, both the Commission of Fine Arts and Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee reviewed 4 designs for the reverse of this new commemorative and submitted recommendations to Treasury officials. The Mount Hood National Forest quarter is expected to be released around November.
All four of the proposed 2010 quarter designs feature Mt. Hood’s dramatic peak, but the views vary. One shows the mountain with an apple orchard in the foreground, the other with the Portland skyline, and two feature a rippling lake. Both the CCAC and CFA favored the proposed design showing the Mount Hood with Lost Lake in the foreground. Ultimately, the Treasury Secretary makes the final decision about the design for this coin.
Originally known as the Cascade Range Forest Reserve, the area was eventually renamed the Mt. Hood National Forest in 1924. It is located about 20 miles from the city of Portland. At over 11,230 feet, Mt. Hood is the tallest mountain in Oregon and very popular with hikers and climbers. In 1792, Lt. William Broughton, who was part of Vancouver’s discovery expedition, named the mountain after British Admiral Samuel Hood. The new 2010 National Park series quarter, last for the year, will capture the geological features and rich history associated with Mount Hood National Forest for all collectors.
February 4, 2010 – 9:43 am
U.S. Mint art for the top contenders for the Grand Canyon quarter design.
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, designated a National Forest Reserve in 1893, will be honored on the reverse of the fourth 2010 National Park quarter. In September 2009, both the Commission of Fine Arts and Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee reviewed designs for the reverse of this new commemorative and submitted recommendations to Treasury officials. The Grand Canyon National Park quarter is expected to be released around September of this year.
All four of the proposed 2010 quarter designs feature the Grand Canyon with its dramatic walls and the Colorado River running through it. Nearly 5 million tourists a year visit this 276.5-mile long gorge with its spectacular, colorful landscape. Both the CCAC and CFA favored the proposed quarter showing the canyon-level view of the river, with the steeply rising side walls, over other designs. The Grand Canyon is also on the Arizona statehood quarter, so the goal is to make the National Park series issue look different. But ultimately, the Treasury Secretary makes the final decision about the design for this coin.
The Grand Canyon first came under federal protection in 1893 as a forest reserve, and under Teddy Roosevelt in 1908, it was declared a national monument, eleven years before it became a national park. In 1979, it became a UNESCO World Heritage site. Today, over 4 million visit the Grand Canyon annually and most go to the South Rim area because it’s the most accessible. The new National Park quarter will capture the geological features and rich history associated with Grand Canyon National Park for all collectors.
February 3, 2010 – 9:43 am
U.S. Mint art for the top contenders for the Yosemite quarter design.
California’s Yosemite National Park, established in 1890, will be honored on the reverse of the third 2010 National Park quarter. In September 2009, both the Commission of Fine Arts and Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee reviewed designs for the reverse of this new commemorative and submitted recommendations to Treasury officials. The Yosemite National Park quarter is expected to be released around July of this year.
Two of the proposed Yosemite quarter designs feature Half Dome, a granite dome rising 5,000 feet above the Yosemite Valley. The other two carry images of Bridalveil Falls, which drops over 600 ft into the Yosemite Valley. The two 2010 quarter designs showing Half Dome got favorable reviews from both the CFA and CCAC. Ultimately the Treasury Secretary makes the final decision about the design for this coin.
Half Dome is one of the park’s most popular attractions, and each year thousands of people hike to the top. President Lincoln signed a bill in 1864 creating the Yosemite Grant. The grant set aside the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Tree Grove (a grove of giant sequoia trees) for the public which is a small portion of today’s park. The new National Park Quarters series coin will capture the geological features and rich history associated with Yosemite National Park for all collectors.
