WASHINGTON — The United States Mint today announced plans for the second and third legs of its nationwide journey this year as it continues Connecting America through Coins. The journey, which began in 2010, celebrates the release of coins in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program, a multi–year initiative to honor some of our Nation’s most splendid national parks and sites.
The launch ceremony marking the release of the Glacier National Park quarter will be held Wednesday, April 13 at 1 p.m. Mountain Time (MT) at Columbia Falls High School located at 610 13th Street West in Columbia Falls, Montana. On the evening before the launch ceremony — Tuesday, April 12 at 5 p.m. MT — the United States Mint will host a public coin forum at the Glacier National Park Community Building at park headquarters in West Glacier, Montana.
The launch ceremony for the Olympic National Park quarter will be held Tuesday, June 14 at 11 a.m. Pacific Time (PT), at City Pier in Port Angeles, Washington. A coin forum will be held Monday, June 13 at 7 p.m. PT in the Olympic National Park Visitor Center located at 600 East Park Avenue in Port Angeles, Washington.
Each launch ceremony is a unique celebration that includes local entertainment, historical commentary and participation by school children. The ceremonies culminate in a coin exchange in which adults can exchange their currency for rolls of newly minted quarters bearing the design that honors the featured site, and children 18 years old and younger receive a new quarter to commemorate the event. The coin forums provide the public an opportunity to share their views about our coins and learn about new coin programs and United States Mint initiatives. Launch ceremony dates for the Vicksburg National Military Park and Chickasaw National Recreation Area quarters will be announced once they are established.
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.