Candidate designs for new 2010 Yellowstone National Park Quarter

February 2, 2010 – 11:12 am
U.S. Mint art for the top contenders for the Yellowstone quarter design.

U.S. Mint art for the top contenders for the Yellowstone quarter design.

Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872, holds the honor of being America’s first national park, and the second National Park commemorative series 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 Yellowstone National Park quarter is expected to be released around June of this year.

All three of the proposed Yellowstone quarter designs feature the Old Faithful geyser, one of this park’s most famous attractions. Old Faithful erupts between every 65-92 minutes on average, more frequently than other big geysers. The CCAC favored the 2010 quarter showing the bison in front of Old Faithful over the other designs, because it also represented the wildlife found in Yellowstone National Park. But ultimately the Treasury Secretary makes the final decision for this  quarter design.

Although the most of Yellowstone National Park is in Wyoming, it is also located in Montana and Idaho. It covers an area larger than Rhode Island and became a park during the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant. Whether it’s the bison with Old Faithful in the background, the geyser with Old Faithful Inn in the background or the walkway with the famous natural wonder at the center, each candidate design captures the geological features and rich history associated with Yellowstone National Park.

Posted in 2010, Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park | Tagged , ,

Candidate designs for new 2010 Hot Springs National Park Quarter

December 10, 2009 – 10:39 am
U.S. Mint art for the top contenders for the Hot Springs quarter design.

U.S. Mint art for the top contenders for the Hot Springs quarter design.

Four candidate designs for the reverse of the first National Park quarter were submitted to the U.S. Treasury, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee for consideration. The first issue, to be released in early 2010, will honor Hot Springs National Park.

Three of the designs feature views of a park fountain – depicted with trees and park grounds beyond, with an angled view of the Administration Building, and with a straight-on view of the Administration Building’s ornate entrance doors. A fourth candidate design features one of the grand facilities along historic Bathhouse Row.

The Commission of Fine Arts recommended the version which displays the fountain and the entrance doors, while the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee favored the depiction of a fountain with trees in the background. The final decision is made by the Secretary of the United States Treasury.

The candidate designs were created to represent the geological features, rich history and beautiful architecture associated with Hot Springs National Park – which in 1832, during the presidency of Andrew Jackson, became the first federally protected area in the United States.

Posted in 2010, Arkansas, Hot Springs National Park | Tagged , ,

Hot Springs National Park featured first in National Park Quarter series

December 10, 2009 – 9:29 am

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

 

Hot Springs National Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas became the first federally protected area in the United States in 1832, and has been recommended to be the first site featured in the 2010-2021 National Park Quarter series.

The park features 47 geothermal springs that rise to the surface at 143 degrees Fahrenheit, flowing from the base of Hot Springs Mountain at a rate of well over half a million gallons per day. The soothing waters have been used for hundreds of years for relaxation and comfort, and 8 grand bathhouses are being restored as a National Historic Landmark District.

In addition to its thermal springs, rich history, and beautiful architecture, Hot Springs National Park is also popular for its beautiful hiking trails, scenic drives, and distinctive flora and fauna.

More information on Hot Springs National Park

Posted in 2010, Arkansas, Hot Springs National Park | Tagged , ,

New commemorative quarters to be minted from 2010‑2021

September 13, 2009 – 12:53 pm

National Park Quarters honor revered sites and locations

An exciting new 12-year coin series from the United States Mint is celebrating America’s most cherished and significant natural and historical places. The new commemorative quarter series will honor a national park or other national site in each of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and the 5 U.S. territories – a total of 56 different coinage designs to be minted from 2010 to 2021.

The national parks and sites in each state, district and territory were selected as being “the most appropriate in terms of natural or historic significance.” Final site selections were made by the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and the chief executive of each state, district or territory.

The criteria for design approval and selection include “aesthetic beauty, historical accuracy, authenticity, appropriateness, and coinability.” Final design selections are also made by the Secretary of the Treasury, after consultation and review by the Secretary of the Interior, the Commission of Fine Arts, and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

Like the popular Statehood quarter series of 1999-2008, and the District of Columbia & U.S. Territories quarters of 2009, the special designs will be featured on the reverse or “tails” side of the new quarters. A portrait of George Washington will continue on the obverse or “heads” side. Five new national park quarters will be released each year from 2010-2020, and one final quarter in 2021, in the order that the locations were established as national parks or national sites.

The new coin program is expected to foster a greater understanding and appreciation for the U.S. National Park System, and will highlight popular natural and historic areas and sites within each state, district, and territory.

Littleton will offer Uncirculated and Proof versions of each new quarter as it becomes available, and is offering an exclusive line of classic and full-color albums and folders for the 12-year series. Please use the links above and to the right for more information about this new program honoring America’s revered national parks, historic sites, and other preserved locations.

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