WASHINGTON – The United States Mint today announced the five new designs that will appear on the reverses (tails) of the 2017-dated coins in the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program.
The honorees are Effigy Mounds National Monument (Iowa), Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (DC), Ozark National Scenic Riverways (MO), Ellis Island (Statue of Liberty National Monument) (NJ), and George Rogers Clark National Historical Park (IN).
Effigy Mounds National Monument
The design depicts an aerial view of mounds in the Marching Bear Group. Inscriptions are “EFFIGY MOUNDS,” “IOWA,” “2017,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” This reverse was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Designer Richard Masters and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Renata Gordon.
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
The design depicts Frederick Douglass seated at a writing desk with his home in Washington, D.C., in the background. Inscriptions are “FREDERICK DOUGLASS,” “DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,” “2017” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” This reverse was designed by AIP Designer Thomas Hipschen and sculpted by Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways
The design depicts Alley Mill, a steel roller mill built in 1894. This merchant mill was used to convert wheat into flour. Much of the original milling equipment is still in place, and visitors to the park can tour the mill. Inscriptions are “OZARK RIVERWAYS,” “MISSOURI,” “2017” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” This reverse was designed by AIP Designer Ronald D. Sanders and sculpted by Mint Sculptor-Engraver Gordon.
Ellis Island (Statue of Liberty National Monument)
The design depicts an immigrant family approaching Ellis Island with a mixture of hope and uncertainty. The hospital building can be seen in the background. Inscriptions are “ELLIS ISLAND,” “NEW JERSEY,” “2017,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” This reverse was designed by AIP Designer Barbara Fox and sculpted by Mint Sculptor-Engraver Hemphill.
George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
The design features George Rogers Clark leading his men through the flooded plains approaching Fort Sackville. Inscriptions are “GEORGE ROGERS CLARK,” “INDIANA,” “2017” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” This reverse was designed by AIP Designer Frank Morris and sculpted by Mint Sculptor-Engraver Michael Gaudioso.
The obverse (heads side) of the coins will continue to feature the familiar 1932 portrait of George Washington by John Flanagan. Required obverse inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “QUARTER DOLLAR.”
The United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program is authorized by the America’s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008 (Act) (Public Law 110-456). The Act directs the bureau to design, mint, and issue quarter-dollar coins emblematic of a national park or other national site in each state, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories. In accordance with the Act, the Mint is issuing the new quarters at the rate of five per year until 2020 in the order in which each honored site was first established. The final coin 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, gold and platinum bullion coins. The United States Mint’s numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.