By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
The 2012-S Acadia National Park Quarter is a limited-edition collector coin sold in conjunction with the release of the Philadelphia and Denver mint strikings of the design. The Acadia Quarter was the third varietal issued in 2012 and the 13th America the Beautiful (ATB) Quarter issued overall.
The reverse design honors the historic coastal park, featuring an image of the Bass Harbor Lighthouse sculpted by future United States Mint Chief Engraver Joseph Menna. The Bass Harbor Lighthouse is one of the park’s main attractions. Built in 1858 with funds appropriated by Congress, the Lighthouse is part of a broader complex of historic buildings that cover 2.5 acres of coastal land.
Business-strike 2012-S Acadia National Park Quarters feature a small “S” mintmark underneath the motto IN GOD WE TRUST on the bottom right of the coin’s obverse.
How Much Is the 2012-S Acadia National Park Quarter Worth?
The 2012-S Acadia National Quarter was not released into circulation and could only be purchased directly from the United States Mint for a premium price. At a minimum, the 2012-S Acadia Quarter has a retail value of $1.50 each, which is six times face value. However, one can purchase a roll of 40 coins in original Mint packaging for about $30.
The leading grading services have certified a limited number of 2012-S circulation strike quarters, and because of this, collectors seeking a high-grade example may fare better by submitting their own coin – but only in cases where the quarter is likely to grade MS67 or better. To find these specimens, we recommend collectors purchase multiple original rolls and bags and then sort out the best coins. A successful submission will yield multiple MS67 or finer coins, allowing the collector to keep the best one(s) for themselves and sell the rest to make back the submission fee.
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Market Data and Noteworthy Specimen
The top population census for the 2012-S Acadia National Park Quarter has remained unchanged since at least October 2024.
Top Population: PCGS MS68 (1, 4/2025), NGC MS68 (4, 4/2025), and CAC None Graded (4/2025).
- PCGS MS67: eBay, February 22, 2025 – $59.99. Buy It Now.
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Design
Obverse:
A modern reworking of John Flanagan’s Washington Quarter design. Founding Father and first President George Washington’s left-facing bust sits in the center of the coin. Flanagan’s initials JF are visible in the bust truncation. Wrapping clockwise around the top of the coin is the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. To Washington’s left is the inscription LIBERTY; to his right, the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. The coin’s denomination wraps around the bottom, written as QUARTER DOLLAR.
Reverse:
For the Acadia National Park Quarter, engraver Joe Menna chose to depict the Bass Harbor Light Station, which is situated on the rocky coast and stands 37 feet tall. In the border frame, wrapping around the design, are the inscriptions ACADIA, MAINE, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM, and the date 2012.
Edge:
The edge of the 2012-S Acadia National Monument Quarter is reeded.
Designers
Born in New Jersey in 1865, John Flanagan lived in New York for most of his life. He began working with Augustus Saint-Gaudens in 1884 at the age of 20 and quickly became a well-known sculptor and medallic artist in his own right. Saint-Gaudens made introductions for Flanagan at the United States Mint. While the Washington Quarter was his sole numismatic design, Flanagan designed numerous famous medals and sculptures, including the official medal of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, the official Verdun medal gifted to France by the United States Government, and the 1924 bust of Saint-Gaudens. Flanagan was also a member of the American Numismatic Society (ANS).
United States Mint engraver Joseph Menna has more than three dozen coin and medal designs to his credit since joining the Mint in 2005. He became Chief Engraver in 2019 (View Designer’s Profile).
2012-S Acadia America the Beautiful Quarter Coin Specifications
| Country: | United States of America |
| Year of Issue: | 2012 |
| Denomination: | Quarter Dollar (25 Cents USD) |
| Mintmark: | S (San Francisco) |
| Mintage: | 1,409,120 |
| Alloy: | .750 copper, .250 nickel outer layers bonded to pure copper inner core |
| Weight: | 5.67 g |
| Diameter: | 24.30 mm |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| OBV Designer: | John Flanagan |
| REV Designer: | Joseph Menna |
| Quality: | Business Strike |
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