SMYRNA, DE — Officials from the United States Mint (Mint) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today celebrated the launch of the America the Beautiful Quarters Program coin honoring Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge.
The quarter’s reverse (tails side) design features a great blue heron in the foreground and a great egret in the background. The reverse was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program artist Joel Iskowitz and engraved by United States Mint Sculptor–Engraver Phebe Hemphill.
“I’m uniquely excited about this launch because we are making these Bombay Hook quarters 67 miles north of here at our plant in Philadelphia,” said United States Mint at Philadelphia Plant Manager Marc Landry. “Some of the very people in our plant are Delaware residents, so this quarter carries a special meaning to the men and women of the United States Mint.”
Local school–aged children attended the ceremony, which took place at the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. Additional participants included U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Deputy Director Jim Kurth; Coastal Delaware National Wildlife Refuge Complex Project Leader Al Rizzo; Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge Manager Oscar Reed; and former Governor and U.S. Representative for Delaware Michael Castle. The event culminated in the Mint’s traditional coin exchange of newly–minted rolls of Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge quarters.
Millions of Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge quarters were released into circulation by the Federal Reserve on Sept. 14. Beginning Sept. 30, the public can purchase collectible products featuring Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge quarters directly from the Mint beginning noon Eastern Time via the bureau’s online catalog at http://catalog.usmint.gov/coin–programs/america–the–beautiful–quarters/ and at 1–800–USA–MINT (872–6468). Hearing– and speech–impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by calling 1–888–321–MINT (6468).
Located along the coast of Delaware Bay, the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge is a nationally recognized birding spot attracting bird watchers from across the country and is designated a Globally Important Bird Area. The quarter honoring the site is the 29th release in the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters® Program, a 12–year initiative to honor 56 national sites authorized by Public Law 110–456. Each year, the public will see five new national sites depicted on the reverse of the America the Beautiful Quarters coins. The United States Mint is issuing these quarters in the order in which the national sites were officially established. The final coin in the Program will be released in 2021.
About the United States Mint
The United States Mint was created by Congress in 1792 and became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. It 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 taxpayers.