The newest quarter in circulation, beginning Monday, will be one honoring Olympic National Park.
The quarter will be the eighth in the America the Beautiful Quarters series and the third one released this year. In 2010, the U.S. Mint released the first of 56 quarters that feature designs on the reverse side depicting parks and other sites from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.
The Olympic National Park quarter features an image of a Roosevelt elk stepping onto a gravel bar of the Hoh River with Mount Olympus in the background. It was chosen from among four designs. The other designs were a coastal image including sea stacks and two versions of a forested river valley with a mountain in the background.
The image was designed by United States Mint master designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by sculptor-engraver Michael Gaudioso.
At some point later this year, 5-ounce silver coins bearing the same design also will be issued.
The first quarters to be released depicted Hot Springs National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon National Park and Mount Hood National Forest.
The other quarters to be released this year are Gettysburg National Military Park, Glacier National Park, Vicksburg National Military Park and Chickasaw National Recreation Area.
QUARTER LAUNCH
Celebration: To help celebrate the new quarter, the park, the City of Port Angeles and the U.S. Mint will host a “quarter launch” Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Port Angeles City Pier. Speakers will include Park Superintendent Karen Gustin and Mint Associate Director B.B. Craig. There also will be a number of performances.
To get one: In addition to being placed in general circulation, you can order coin sets from the U.S. Mint at catalog.usmint.gov.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.