WASHINGTON — The 2011 United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set will be available for purchase on March 17 at noon Eastern Time (ET). The set contains proof versions of the second five coins in the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program, bearing reverse (tails side) designs honoring Gettysburg National Military Park (Pennsylvania), Glacier National Park (Montana), Olympic National Park (Washington), Vicksburg National Military Park (Mississippi) and Chickasaw National Recreation Area (Oklahoma). The coins’ obverses (heads side) bear a restored version of the 1932 John Flanagan portrait of George Washington.
Proof coins are manufactured at the United States Mint at San Francisco. Unlike circulating coins, these coins are extraordinarily brilliant, with sharp relief and a mirror–like background. A frosted, sculpted foreground gives proof coins a cameo effect. To protect their pristine finish, the coins are sealed in a protective lens. The set includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
The 2011 United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set is priced at $14.95. Orders will be accepted at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog or at 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468). Hearing– and speech–impaired customers may order at 1–888–321–MINT (6468). A $4.95 shipping and handling fee will be added to all domestic orders.
Customers who want to receive automatic shipments of the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set each year beginning in 2012 may enroll in the Online Subscription Program. To learn more about this convenient shopping method, please visit http://www.usmint.gov/catalog. In addition, the 2010 sets are still available.
The United States Mint, created by Congress in 1792, 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 United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver, gold and platinum bullion coins.
Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, orders placed prior to the official on–sale date and time of March 17, 2011, noon ET shall not be deemed accepted by the United States Mint and will not be honored. For more information, please review the United States Mint’s Frequently Asked Questions, Answer ID #175.