New Quarter Shines Light on Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

By Tracy Chavez
April 12, 2018

Red Cliff Tribal Chairman Rick Peterson speaks during the ceremonial launch for the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore quarter.
Red Cliff Tribal Chairman Rick Peterson speaks during the ceremonial launch for the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore quarter.

The United States Mint joined the National Park Service on April 11, 2018, to celebrate the release of the coin honoring Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin, as part of the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program.

Six hundred and fifty people, including 250 schoolchildren, gathered in the Legendary Waters Resort for the quarter launch. Marc Landry, Associate Director of the Numismatic and Bullion Directorate, United States Mint, who represented the organization at the event, stated:

Just as the guiding light beacons from the Devil’s 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 that protect it and frequent it…shedding light on its splendor, beauty and purpose, for future generations to follow.

The event included performances by the Bayfield High School Choir, Red Cliff VFW, Wiigiwaam Express, Red Cliff Youth Drum Group and the Washburn High School Jazz Band. Larry MacDonald, former mayor of Bayfield, served as master of ceremonies. Guest speakers 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, Superintendent, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

The Apostle Islands quarter marks the 100th time the reverse (tails) design on this coin denomination has changed since 1932. The design depicts the sea caves at Devils Island with the lighthouse in the background and a kayaker paddling in the foreground. It was designed by Richard Masters and sculpted by Renata Gordon.

Watch the video below to see Renata working on the quarter.

U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program designer Richard Masters, creator of the coin’s design, received special recognition during the ceremony. Masters is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh where he previously served as professor of art for 19 years. He lived in Wisconsin for over 25 years and considers Wisconsin his “second home state.”


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