Description:
The America the Beautiful Quarters Program debuted on the heels of the 50 State Quarters Program and its adjunct District of Columbia and Territories program.
Authorized by Public Law 110–456 (source: PDF), the America the Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008, called for the “issuance of redesigned quarters dollars emblematic of national parks or other national sites in each state, the District of Columbia, and each territory.
Similar to the issuance order of the 50 State Quarters Program, America the Beautiful National Parks quarters are issued one per state, based on the order in which the selected site was first established as a National Park.
The Shawnee National Forest Quarter, representing Illinois, is the first issue of the America the Beautiful Quarters Program for 2016 and the 31st issue in the entire series.
Obverse:
A modern reworking of John Flanagan’s Washington quarter design. Washington’s left-facing bust sits in the center of the coin. Flanagan’s initials “JF” is visible in the bust truncation. Wrapping 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 of the coin, written as QUARTER DOLLAR.
Reverse:
The reverse, designed by Justin Kunz and engraved by Jim Licaretz, shows a rock formation known as Camel Rock, which is located in Shawnee National Forest’s Garden of the Gods. Park vegetation is in the foreground, and a red-tailed hawk flies above the whole scene.
Designer(s): American sculptor John Flanagan’s work in the medallic and metal arts ranks him as one of the best artists of his generation. For generations of coin collectors, he is best known for his Washington quarter design (View Designer’s Profile).
Besides working for the United States int, sculptor-engraver Jim Licaretz has produced designs for such companies as Mattel and the Franklin Mint (View Designer’s Profile).
Coin Specifications:
| Country: | USA |
| Year Of Issue: | 2016 |
| Denomination: | Quarter Dollar |
| Mint Mark: | P, D, S (Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco) |
| Mintage: | |
| Alloy: | 91.67% Copper, 8.33% Nickel (business strike, clad proof); .900 Silver (silver proof) |
| Weight: | 5.67 grams (Cu-Ni), 6.25 grams (.900 silver) |
| Diameter: | 0.955 in. (24.3 mm) |
| Edge: | Reeded |
| OBV Designer | John Flanagan |
| REV Designer | Justin Kunz / Jim Licaretz |
| Quality: | Uncirculated & Proof |
Keep up with all the latest coin releases from the United States Mint by clicking on CoinWeek’s Modern U.S. Coin Profiles Page.
America the Beautiful Quarters Currently Available on eBay
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