America the Beautiful Quarters, 2010-2021 | CoinWeek

By CoinWeek Notes ….

Starting in 2010, the United States Mint embarked upon a new 11-year rotating commemorative coin program honoring the country’s National Parks. Artistically, these coins improved upon the “clip art” feel of the State Quarters program and took full advantage of improvements in the Mint’s design and die making processes.

Retained was an approximation of John Flanagan’s Washington figure of 1932, although it was completely surrounded by inscriptions. The National Park reverses were set within a wide frame. While this feature allowed for separation between the image and of the park and the text identifying it,

America the Beautiful Quarters Year-by-Year

2010

The first five America the Beautiful Quarters debuted in 2010.

2010 also marked the final year that the United States Mint offered matte finish uncirculated coins in its annual Mint Sets.

Located in Arkansas, this park is known for its collection of 47 thermal springs and historic Bathhouse Row, which served as a resort for those seeking the purported healing properties of the mineral-rich waters. It is unique among national parks for its urban setting, with the park and city of Hot Springs interwoven, and for its preservation of a historic spa-town culture.

The world’s first national park, Yellowstone spans Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. It sits atop a massive volcanic caldera and is home to more than half of the world’s geysers and geothermal features, including the iconic Old Faithful. The park is also a haven for a wide array of wildlife, including grizzly bears, bison, wolves, and elk.

Located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite is internationally recognized for its spectacular granite cliffs, towering waterfalls, and giant sequoia groves. The park’s dramatic U-shaped valley was carved by glaciers, leaving behind iconic features like El Capitan and Half Dome, and it is also home to a diverse array of plant and animal life across its different elevation zones.

Carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, the Grand Canyon in Arizona is a geological marvel and one of the most famous landmarks in the world. The massive chasm stretches 278 miles long and up to 18 miles wide, revealing millions of years of geologic history in its layered rock walls and providing a home for diverse ecosystems and wildlife.

This site, located in northern Oregon, is part of the US Forest Service and is a popular destination for outdoor recreation. Dominated by the iconic, snow-capped stratovolcano Mount Hood, the forest encompasses a variety of landscapes from dense rainforests to alpine lakes, and provides a significant portion of the region’s drinking and irrigation water.

2011

The 2011 America the Beautiful quarters feature five different national sites, each with a unique design. The quarters honor Gettysburg National Military Park (Pennsylvania), depicting the 72nd Pennsylvania Infantry Monument; Glacier National Park (Montana), showcasing a mountain goat with Mount Reynolds in the background; Olympic National Park (Washington), featuring a Roosevelt elk with Mount Olympus in the distance; Vicksburg National Military Park (Mississippi), with a depiction of the ironclad U.S.S. Cairo; and Chickasaw National Recreation Area (Oklahoma), which shows the Lincoln Bridge. P and D mint coins from the United States Mint’s Uncirculated Coin Sets were business strikes, ending an unpopular run of Specimen strike coins.

Located in Pennsylvania, this park preserves the site of the Battle of Gettysburg, a major turning point of the American Civil War. It features numerous monuments and memorials dedicated to the soldiers of both the Union and Confederate armies,

Found in Montana, this park is part of a protected ecosystem that straddles the U.S. and Canadian border, known as the “Crown of the Continent.” It is famous for its stunning, glacially-carved mountains, deep valleys, pristine forests, and alpine meadows, as well as remnants of ancient glaciers that are rapidly receding.

Situated on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state, this park is known for its incredible ecological diversity. It protects three distinct ecosystems: rugged, glacier-capped mountains, temperate rainforests, and a wild Pacific coastline, offering a remarkable range of scenery and habitats in one location.

This park in Mississippi commemorates the Siege of Vicksburg, a significant campaign in the American Civil War that gave the Union control of the Mississippi River. The park preserves the battlegrounds, restored trenches, and a rich collection of monuments and markers dedicated to the soldiers who fought there.

Located in Oklahoma, this area is unique for its mineral and freshwater springs, which have been a destination for people seeking their therapeutic benefits for centuries. It combines lush, forested landscapes with aquatic environments, including streams, lakes, and the historic Platt National Park, which was incorporated into the recreation area.

2012

The 2012 America the Beautiful quarters showcase the natural beauty and historical significance of sites in Puerto Rico, New Mexico, Maine, Hawaii, and Alaska. Their designs depict a coquí frog at El Yunque, ancient kivas at Chaco Culture, a lighthouse at Acadia, an active volcano at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, and a Dall sheep at Denali.

Located in Puerto Rico, this is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. Known for its lush biodiversity, it is home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including the Puerto Rican parrot, and is distinguished by its high rainfall and mountainous terrain.

This park in New Mexico preserves one of the most significant pre-Columbian cultural and historical areas in North America. It protects a vast network of ancestral Puebloan great houses and ceremonial structures, which highlight a complex society that flourished here over a thousand years ago.

As the first national park east of the Mississippi River, Acadia is located on the coast of Maine. It features a rugged, granite-lined coast, forested hills, and glacier-scoured valleys, offering a mix of ocean views, mountain hiking, and historic carriage roads.

This park on the island of Hawaiʻi is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. The park’s ever-changing landscape is a result of volcanic activity, from molten lava flows and steam vents to vast volcanic deserts, all of which showcase the power of geologic processes.

Encompassing North America’s highest peak, Mount McKinley (Denali), this Alaskan park is a vast wilderness of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and subarctic taiga forests. It provides a sanctuary for a wide variety of large mammals, including grizzly bears, wolves, and caribou, and is a premier destination for mountaineering and wildlife viewing.

2013

From mountainous vistas to fragile ecosystems, to war sites, and peace memorials, the 2013 America the Beautiful Quarters crossed the continent and spanned two centuries of American history.

The quarter for this national forest celebrates the recreational opportunities found in the rugged New Hampshire landscape. The design depicts a lone hiker walking along a trail, passing a rushing waterfall and a pine tree, symbolizing the serene beauty of the forest. This coin pays tribute to the region’s popular hiking trails and natural scenery.

This coin commemorates the decisive American victory during the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812 and the lasting peace between the U.S., Britain, and Canada. The design features a statue of a soldier with a rifle on his shoulder, representing the bravery of those who fought. This memorial stands as a reminder of the power of peace and international cooperation.

The quarter for this park highlights its unique high-desert ecosystem, which is home to some of the world’s oldest living organisms. The coin features an image of a bristlecone pine, a tree species that can live for thousands of years in the harsh conditions of the Great Basin. This design captures the solitude and ancient beauty of the park.

This site in Maryland is famous as the birthplace of the American national anthem. It commemorates the successful defense of Baltimore Harbor during the War of 1812, which inspired Francis Scott Key to write the lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

This iconic site in South Dakota features the colossal granite sculptures of four U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Carved into the side of the Black Hills, the memorial represents the first 150 years of American history.

2014

The 2014 America the Beautiful Quarters celebrate the iconic Florida Everglades, the mystical Arches of Utah, the Great Sand Dunes of Colorado, and two iconic parks along the Appalachian Trail.

The coin for this park captures the natural beauty of the “Smoky” mountains, named for the fog that often hangs over them. The design features a log cabin nestled in a lush forest with a hawk flying overhead. The design emphasizes the park’s beautiful setting and the Americans who settled there.

This quarter celebrates the scenic views along Skyline Drive, a 105-mile road that winds through the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The design features a lone hiker looking out over the panoramic view of the mountains. This image symbolizes the park’s stunning vistas and recreational opportunities.

The America the Beautiful Quarter for this park highlights its famous, otherworldly red rock landscape. The design features a person standing beneath an arch, with the sun setting behind them, creating a silhouette. This image captures the beauty and grandeur of the more than 2,000 natural stone arches within the park.

The 2014 Great Sand Dunes quarter features a depiction of a man and a child playing in the sand on the left side of the coin with the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains rising in the background. This quarter, which was the 23rd release in the series, highlights the unique landscape of the park, located in southern Colorado, where an alpine landscape meets an arid desert environment.

This quarter honors the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. The design features an American alligator with a long-legged wading bird, a common sight in the park, in the background. This coin highlights the unique ecosystem of the Everglades and its importance as a habitat for diverse wildlife.

2015

From pivotal surrenders, to the hard scrabble life of American homesteaders, to scenes of majestic beauty, the 2015 America the Beautiful Quarters dot across time and space. The Blue Ridge design released this year is one of the finest in the series.

The quarter for this monument commemorates the Homestead Act of 1862, which encouraged settlers to move west. The design features a lone homesteader holding a sheaf of wheat, with a barn and a house in the background. The coin symbolizes the resilience and hard work of the pioneers who helped shape the nation.

This coin celebrates the only national forest in Louisiana. The design features a bald cypress tree with a crawfish, an iconic symbol of Louisiana’s bayou culture, on a log in the foreground. This image highlights the unique ecosystem of the Kisatchie National Forest and its importance to the region.

The quarter for this scenic route captures the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. The design features a car driving along a winding road, with the rolling mountains in the background. This coin celebrates the parkway as a national treasure and one of the most popular scenic drives in the country.

The Bombay Hook quarter honors the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware. The coin’s reverse side features a detailed depiction of a great blue heron in the foreground, with a great egret standing behind it, set against the backdrop of the refuge’s expansive tidal salt marsh. This design beautifully captures the essence of this nationally recognized birding spot. The refuge, established in 1937, serves as a crucial link for migrating birds, and the coin’s imagery highlights its importance as a habitat for diverse waterfowl and migratory species.

This coin commemorates the pivotal Battles of Saratoga, a turning point in the American Revolution. The design depicts the culmination of the Battle of Saratoga on October 17, 1777, where British Lieutenant General John Burgoyne surrendered his entire army to American Major General Horatio Gates.

2016

The 2016 America the Beautiful quarters featured designs celebrating sites in Illinois, Kentucky, West Virginia, North Dakota, and South Carolina. These coins depicted a variety of subjects, including a rock formation and soaring hawk at Shawnee National Forest, a frontiersman at Cumberland Gap, a fort at Harpers Ferry, a young Theodore Roosevelt on horseback, and a sergeant returning a flag at Fort Moultrie.

The coin for this national forest celebrates the unique rock formations and Native American history of the region. The design features a rock formation with an eagle flying overhead. This image honors the ancient history and cultural heritage of the Shawnee people.

This quarter commemorates the historic Cumberland Gap, a natural pass through the Appalachian Mountains that was a major route for westward migration. The design features a person holding a rifle at the “first doorway to the west.” The image symbolizes the courage and determination of those who sought new lives in the nation’s interior.

The coin for this park celebrates its rich history as the site of a pivotal Civil War battle and John Brown’s raid. The design features John Brown’s Fort, located on the site of the armory. Brown’s raid was put down by Robert E. Lee but presaged the bloody years to come.

This quarter honors North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The design features a bust of Theodore Roosevelt taking in the raw majestic beauty of the American plains. The image represents the lasting impact of his conservation efforts, which preserved these sights for future generations of Americans.

The quarter for this national monument honors the site of a pivotal battle of the American Revolution. The design features a soldier with a rifle on his shoulder, with a flag flying in the background. The image represents the bravery and determination of the American soldiers who defended the fort against the British.

2017

The U.S. Mint’s 2017 quarters were part of the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program and featured five national parks or historic sites. The featured sites were Effigy Mounds in Iowa, the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in D.C., Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri, Ellis Island in New Jersey, and George Rogers Clark National Historical Park in Indiana.

The quarter for this monument honors the ancient Native American cultures of the region. The design features a Native American mounds in the shape of a bird and two horses. These sacred shapes symbolize the spiritual beliefs of the people who created them. The image represents the rich cultural heritage and archaeological significance of the site.

This coin celebrates the life and legacy of the abolitionist, author, and statesman. The design features a bust of Frederick Douglass with his historic homesite in the background. The image symbolizes the abolitionist movement’s unwavering commitment to freedom and equality.

The quarter for this park celebrates the Ozark’s serene rivers and natural beauty. The design features the Alley Mill and a winding waterway.

This coin honors the historic gateway for millions of immigrants to the United States. The design features a depiction of the family arriving to America with their possession in hand. A child holds an American flag, a symbol of freedom and hope for the new arrivals. In the background is the iconic Ellis Island Immigration Building.

The coin for this park captures the natural beauty of the “Smoky” mountains, named for the fog that often hangs over them. The design features a log cabin nestled in a lush forest with a hawk flying overhead. The design emphasizes the park’s beautiful setting and the Americans who settled there.

2018

The 2018 America the Beautiful quarters series honored five different national sites: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin, Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota, Cumberland Island National Seashore in Georgia, and Block Island National Wildlife Refuge in Rhode Island. The designs featured a variety of natural and historical elements.

This quarter celebrates the stunning cliffs and unique rock formations along the shore of Lake Superior. The image symbolizes the natural beauty and ruggedness of the lakeshore.

The coin for this park highlights the natural beauty of rock formations along the scraggy coasts of the and picturesque islands of Lake Superior.

This quarter commemorates the history of the Voyageurs, French-Canadian fur traders who navigated the waterways of the park. The design features a canoe with a man in it, and a loon on the water, representing the park’s rich history and natural beauty. The image symbolizes the legacy of these intrepid explorers.

The 2018 Cumberland Island quarter, from the America the Beautiful Quarters Program, features a design that celebrates the diverse wildlife of Georgia’s largest and most ecologically rich barrier island. The coin’s reverse side, designed by Donna Weaver, depicts a snowy egret perched on a branch, ready for flight, on the edge of a tidal salt marsh. This imagery highlights the island’s role as a haven for a wide variety of birds and its significance as a protected coastal environment.

2018 Cumberland Island America the Beautiful Quarter
Unc. P	Unc. D	Unc. S	Proof Clad S	Proof Silver S
138,000,000	151,600,000	880,940	618,725	461,048

The 2018 Block Island quarter commemorates the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge in Rhode Island. The reverse side of the coin, designed by Chris Costello and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, features a beautiful scene from the refuge, showing a black-crowned night-heron in flight over the beach at Cow Cove. In the background, the iconic North Light lighthouse stands as a beacon. The design not only highlights the refuge’s role as a vital stopover for migratory birds but also captures the island’s scenic coastal beauty and historic landmarks.

2019

The 2019 America the Beautiful Quarters featured designs celebrating sites in Massachusetts, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Texas, and Idaho. The designs included a “mill girl” at a loom for Lowell National Historical Park and a woman in traditional dress for American Memorial Park. The War in the Pacific National Historical Park quarter depicts U.S. troops landing at Asan Bay, while the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park coin shows elements of a Spanish Colonial Real. The series for the year concluded with a design for the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, featuring a boat adrift on the Salmon River.

The 2019 Lowell National Historical Park quarter commemorates the role of Lowell, Massachusetts, as a pivotal center of the American Industrial Revolution. The coin’s reverse design, created by artist Joel Iskowitz, features a “mill girl” working at a power loom, with a view of the iconic Boott Mill clock tower visible through a window in the background. The imagery highlights the contributions of the young women who worked in the mills and became an important voice for labor rights and social change.

This coin honors the American and Marianas people who died during the battles of World War II. The design features a depiction of a girl looking at the flag circle of honor, representing the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought. The image symbolizes the enduring legacy of these heroes.

The quarter for this park commemorates the fierce battles of World War II. The design features a depiction of soldiers landing on the beach representing the bravery and determination of those who fought in some of the bloodiest battles of the war. The image symbolizes the enduring legacy of these heroes.

The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park quarter honors the historic Spanish colonial missions that played a vital role in the American Southwest. The design is based on the Spanish Colonial Real, a coin used during the era of colonization. Its quadrants contain four distinct symbols: a lion representing Spanish cultural heritage, a wheat symbol for farming, a symbol of the San Antonio River for irrigation, and arches with a bell symbolizing community.

The 2019 Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness quarter, the fifth and final release of the year in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program, honors the largest contiguous wilderness area in the lower 48 states, located in Idaho. The coin’s reverse side features a detailed design of a piloted drift boat navigating the rushing waters of the Salmon River, surrounded by the rugged, rocky terrain and towering trees of the wilderness.

2020

The 2020 America the Beautiful quarters feature five different national sites, each with a unique design. The first quarter for the National Park of American Samoa depicts a Samoan fruit bat mother and her pup to raise awareness for the species’ threatened status. The Weir Farm National Historic Site quarter shows an artist painting outdoors, symbolizing its role as a haven for American painting. The Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve coin features a red mangrove tree in an early stage of its life cycle, highlighting the park’s fragile mangrove forests. The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park quarter depicts a young girl planting a Norway spruce seedling, representing the ongoing legacy of land stewardship. Finally, the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve coin showcases a Regal Fritillary butterfly in flight against a backdrop of iconic prairie grasses.

The 2020 National Park of American Samoa quarter was the first America the Beautiful quarter released in 2020 and the 51st overall in the program. Its reverse design, created to raise awareness for an endangered species, depicts a Samoan fruit bat mother hanging upside down in a tree with her pup. This is a particularly noteworthy design as it’s the first time a bat has been featured on a U.S. coin. The National Park of American Samoa is the only park in the U.S. that is home to this threatened species.

This coin honors the life and work of J. Alden Weir, a prominent American Impressionist painter. The coin’s reverse design, created by Artistic Infusion Program artist Justin Kunz, portrays an artist wearing a painter’s smock, painting outside Julian Alden Weir’s rustic studio. The imagery highlights the site’s enduring legacy as a sanctuary for artists and a place of creative inspiration.

The Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve quarter features a red mangrove tree in an early stage of its life cycle. The design highlights the unique and delicate way this species reproduces in saltwater, bringing awareness to the park’s endangered mangrove forests. The quarter celebrates the park’s rich history and natural beauty, while also underscoring the importance of its fragile ecosystem.

This quarter honors the legacy of three prominent families—the Marsh, Billings, and Rockefeller families—and their contributions to conservation. The design features a young girl planting a Norway Spruce sapling. The image symbolizes the enduring legacy of their conservation efforts.

The 2020 Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve quarter, the fifth and final quarter of the year, honors the only unit of the National Park Service dedicated to preserving the tallgrass prairie ecosystem. The coin’s reverse side, designed by Emily Damstra, features a Regal Fritillary butterfly in flight, with a backdrop of Big Bluestem and Indian grasses, which are iconic to the Kansas prairie. The design beautifully captures the delicate life that thrives in this unique environment and highlights the importance of conserving what remains of this once-vast landscape.

2021

The United States Mint struck one final America the Beautiful Quarter in 2021, before issuing the one-year Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter. In 2022 the American Women Quarters series debuted.

The final quarter in the America the Beautiful series honors the heroic efforts of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military aviators in the U.S. armed forces. The design features a pilot in a cockpit, representing the determination and courage of these pioneers. The design symbolizes their enduring legacy and their fight for equality.

Coin Specifications

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