HEALY, Alaska — The United States Mint joined National Park Service officials in Healy today for the official launch of the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program coin honoring Denali National Park and Preserve. The coin’s reverse (tails side) design features a Dall sheep with Mount McKinley rising in the background with the inscriptions DENALI, ALASKA, 2012, and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
“A national site that features Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America, as well as grizzly bears, caribou, Dall sheep and moose, makes Denali National Park and Preserve a perfect choice for the America the Beautiful Quarters Program,” David Croft, Plant Manager at the United States Mint at Denver, told the crowd.
Several representatives of the Denali National Park and Preserve joined Croft to celebrate the coin’s release, including Acting Superintendent Jeff Mow; Assistant Superintendent for Operations Elwood Lynn; and Jane Bryant, the site’s historian. Following the ceremony, members of the public exchanged their currency for $10 rolls of newly minted Denali National Park and Preserve quarters. Croft also hosted a coin forum the evening of November 14, where local residents gathered to discuss U.S. coinage and learn about United States Mint coin programs and initiatives.
The Denali National Park and Preserve quarter is the 15th released in the United States Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters Program, authorized by Public Law 110–456. Each year, the public will see five new quarters with reverse designs representing select national sites, with one final coin released in 2021. The United States Mint will issue these quarters in the order in which the honored site was first established as a national site.
Circulating quality Denali National Park and Preserve quarters are available for purchase directly from the United States Mint in 100–coin bags and in two–roll sets (40 coins per roll) containing one roll each from the United States Mint facilities at Philadelphia and Denver. The bureau is also offering product options containing circulating quality Denali National Park and Preserve quarters struck at the United States Mint at San Francisco. The Denali National Park and Preserve “S” mint mark quarters are available in 100–coin bags and single 40–coin rolls. Unlike the “P” and “D” mint mark quarters, those with the “S” mint mark will not be released into circulation. The two–roll sets (“P” and “D” mint marks) are $32.95; the single rolls (“S” mint mark) are $18.95; and the 100–coin bags are $34.95. Orders are being accepted at the bureau’s online catalog at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog and at 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468).
The United States Mint was created by Congress in 1792. This year marks the bureau’s 220th anniversary. The United States Mint 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 numismatic products including proof, uncirculated and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. The United States Mint’s numismatic programs are self–sustaining and operate at no cost to the taxpayer.