by Tracy Scelzo Chavez
February 14, 2018
Sculptor-Engraver Michael Gaudioso discusses his work on the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore coin.
Event Details
The United States Mint joined the National Park Service on February 7, 2018, to celebrate the release of the coin honoring Michigan’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore—the 41st coin in the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. The event, held in the Mather Elementary School auditorium in Munising, MI, drew in 950 attendees, including more than 500 students. Michigan native Marc Landry, Acting Associate Director of the U.S. Mint Numismatic and Bullion Directorate, served as the event’s senior official.
“This new coin not only reflects one of the many unique features of the longest freshwater coastline in the United States, but also the breathtaking natural beauty of the state,” said Landry.
Attendees
Katherine Reynolds, Executive Director of the Greater Munising Bay Partnership for Commerce Development, the Alger County Chamber of Commerce and the Munising Downtown Development Authority led the ceremony.
Additional participants included Timothy Williams, Deputy Director of External Affairs, Department of the Interior; Jay Gage, Upper Peninsula Regional Manager, on behalf of Senator Debbie Stabenow; Katelyn Rader, Upper Peninsula Regional Coordinator, for Senator Gary Peters; David Horne, Superintendent of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore; and the Munising High School Concert Choir, which provided pre-/post-event music.
Paul C. Balan, Mint Artistic Infusion Program member and designer of the Pictured Rocks quarter, received special recognition during the ceremony.
Following the event, attendees participated in the coin exchange. The Peoples State Bank of Munising traded $16,000 of $10 rolls of newly minted Pictured Rocks quarters.
Event Photos
Check out our gallery below for photos of the Pictured Rocks event.
Up Next
The next quarter launch will be held on April 11, 2018 in Red Cliff, WI. More information is available on the U.S. Mint’s event page.
See more Inside the Mint articles.