Latest quarter honors the beaches, sea caves, and lighthouses of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin
The United States Mint joined the National Park Service today to celebrate the release of the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program coin honoring Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin. The coin is the second of five America the Beautiful Quarters coins to be issued in 2018, and the 42nd release in the series.
“Just as the guiding light beacons from the Devils Island lighthouse—as it has done for decades—the Apostle Islands Quarter will serve as a shining example of the inherent value of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, and the people who protect it and frequent it … shedding light on its splendor, beauty and purpose, for future generations to follow,” said Marc Landry, Acting Associate Director of the Mint’s Numismatic and Bullion Directorate.
Marc Landry, Acting Deputy Director for Numismatic and Bullion Directorate at the U.S. Mint, presents Apostle Islands National Lakeshore quarters struck on the first day of production to Bob Krumenaker, the park’s Superintendent, during the April 11, 2018 launch ceremony in Red Cliff, Wis. The coin is the 42nd release in the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.
Six hundred and fifty people, including 250 schoolchildren from five area schools, gathered in the nearby Legendary Waters Resort for the festivities that included performances by the Bayfield High School Choir, Red Cliff Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wigwamm Express, Red Cliff Youth Drum Group, and the Washburn High School Jazz Band.
Former Bayfield mayor Larry MacDonald served as master of ceremonies. Guest speakers included Rick Peterson, Tribal Chairman of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; Mike Wiggins, Tribal Chairman of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; Henry Buffalo, Elder of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and descendant of Chief Buffalo; and Bob Krumenaker, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore superintendent. The ceremony, which culminated with a public exchange of $10 rolls of new quarters, included special recognition of United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program designer Richard Masters, creator of the coin’s design.
The bank exchanged $26,000 in P (Philadelphia) Mint mark quarters. The coin forum drew a lively audience of 80 the night before.
Public Law 110-456 authorized the 2009 launch of the America the Beautiful Quarters Program. It is a 12-year initiative that honors 56 national parks and other national sites. Each year until 2020, the public will see five new national sites depicted on the reverses of the America the Beautiful Quarters coins, with a final coin scheduled for release in 2021. The Mint is issuing these quarters according to the date each location was designated a national site.
* * *
About the United States Mint
The United States Mint was created by an Act of Congress in 1792 and became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. The United States Mint is the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage and is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce.
The U.S. Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. The United States Mint’s numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.
