Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine Quarter

The 2013 Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine Quarter is the 19th coin in the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program.

Fort McHenry—the birthplace of our country’s national anthem—was named for James McHenry, our Nation’s second Secretary of War. Following the burning of the Nation’s capitol and other federal buildings in August 1814, British forces attacked Baltimore. Francis Scott Key, a poet-lawyer, witnessed the September 13-14 bombardment of Fort McHenry while under British guard on an American truce ship in the Patapsco River. Seeing his country’s flag still flying over the fort the next morning, he was moved to pen “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Fort McHenry was first established as a national site on March 3, 1925 (43 Stat. 1109).

The obverse (heads) design features the familiar image of George Washington by John Flanagan, used on the quarter since 1932. It has been restored to bring out subtle details and the beauty of the original.

The reverse (tails) depicts the site during the "Defenders Day" celebration, considered the centerpiece annual event held at Fort McHenry. The fireworks symbolize the "rocket's red glare," linking the fort to its historic past. Design candidates were developed in consultation with representatives of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.

• UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• LIBERTY
• IN GOD WE TRUST
• QUARTER DOLLAR

• FORT McHENRY
• MARYLAND
• 2013
• E PLURIBUS UNUM

• Denver
• Philadelphia
• San Francisco

The U.S. Mint released Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine Quarter in circulating, uncirculated, and proof finishes. A five-ounce silver coin was also produced in uncirculated and bullion finishes.

Quarter (Circulating, Uncirculated, Proof):

• Composition: Cupro-Nickel Clad (8.33% nickel, balance copper)
• Weight: 5.670 grams
• Diameter: 0.955 inch (24.26 mm)
• Thickness: 1.75 mm
• Edge: Reeded

Five-Ounce Silver Coin (Uncirculated, Bullion):

• Composition: 99.9% silver
• Weight: 5.0 ounces
• Diameter: 3.0 inches
• Edge: Edge-Lettering