WASHINGTON — Sales for the 2012 United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set will open on January 17, 2012, at noon Eastern Time (ET). The set – still priced at $14.95 – contains proof versions of the new quarters scheduled for release this year with reverse (tails side) designs honoring El Yunque National Forest (Puerto Rico), Chaco Culture National Historical Park (New Mexico), Acadia National Park (Maine), Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park (Hawaii) and Denali National Park and Preserve (Alaska). The obverse of the coins (heads side) features a restored version of the 1932 John Flanagan portrait of George Washington.
The proof coins contained in this set are minted 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 them a cameo effect. To protect their pristine finish, the coins are sealed in a protective lens. The set includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
The United States Mint will accept orders at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog and at 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468). Hearing– and speech–impaired customers with TTY equipment may order at 1–888–321–MINT (6468). Please add $4.95 to all domestic orders to cover shipping and handling costs.
Collectors who wish to receive automatic shipments of future United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Sets may enroll in the bureau’s Online Subscription Program. To learn more about this convenient shopping method, please visit http://www.usmint.gov/catalog.
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 January 17, 2012, 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.