2010 Yosemite National Park Quarter Rolls and Bags

The U.S. Mint will offer the new products at 12:00 noon ET. Also on Monday, but earlier in the day, the Yosemite quarters start rolling into everyday circulation via Federal Reserve and local banks throughout the nation.

The coins are the third of five to be released this year, and are the debuting issues from the America the Beautiful Quarters™ Program. The new series features quarter-dollars with reverse designs honoring national parks and other national sites for the 50 states, 5 U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.

The sites will be celebrated in the order in which they were nationally recognized (see the National Park Quarter Release Schedule), and at a rate of five every year until the final one in 2021.

The Yosemite National Park Quarter Two-Roll Sets is listed for a price of $32.95. Included are 80 coins in circulation quality. One roll contains 40 quarters from the U.S. Mint in Denver, with each featuring a denoting ‘D’ mint mark. The second roll has 40 quarters that were struck at the Mint’s facility in Philadelphia. These coins will have ‘P’ mint marks.

100-coin Yosemite National Park Quarter Bags are available from either Philadelphia or Denver. Each bag has a sale price of $35.95 and contains 100 circulating quality strikes.

The 2010 Yosemite quarter reverse portrays the iconic El Capitan — the biggest monolith of granite in the world, reaching more than 3,000 feet above the Yosemite Valley floor. Inscriptions are YOSEMITE, CALIFORNIA, 2010 and E PLURIBUS UNUM. It was designed by Joseph Menna and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill. The obverse side of each America the Beautiful quarter continues to portray George Washington.

Releases have already occurred this year for the Hot Springs National Park Quarter and the Yellowstone National Park Quarter. Two other quarter-dollars will launch later in 2010. These include the Grand Canyon National Park Quarter for Arizona and Mount Hood National Forest Quarter for Oregon.

When issued, Yosemite National Park Quarter rolls and bags may be ordered directly on the United States Mint website at http://www.usmint.gov/, or through their toll free number 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).

Visitors watch Old Faithful start to erupt after the Yellowstone National Park Quarter ceremony ended.

Originally planned for outside of the Old Faithful Inn, the function was move indoors to the Old Faithful Lodge Recreation Hall due to the inclement weather in the region — rain and drizzle were common and were joined by temperatures only in the 45-degree range.

Perhaps not as picturesque of backdrop as the famous Old Faithful Geyser found just steps outside, the crowd did not seem to mind the more comfortable surroundings as the official ceremony was launched under the direction of Master of Ceremonies Park Public Affairs Officer Al Nash.

Initiating the function was the traditional national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Gene Bryan, Wyoming Tourism Board Member, took to the stand to praise the state of Wyoming, the Park Service and the U.S. Mint for the creation of the Yellowstone National Park Quarter.

Following Bryan, Paul Schullery, historian and author, was called to make a few comments before Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park Suzanne Lewis was introduced. Lewis also commented favorably on the America the Beautiful Quarters™ Program along with remembering a bit of the previous 50-State Quarters Program which serves as the template for the new series.

Finally, US Mint Director Ed Moy stood up to the podium and gave a short speech which included a bit of fond memories from his childhood.

"Well, the last time I was here at Yellowstone National Park my parents were young, I was very small and so everything in this park looked huge and magical to me," recalled Moy. "Things change. My parents are much older, I’m not so small anymore but some things stay the same. And that is that this park is still magical."

Moy went on to talk about the first quarter release ceremony of the America the Beautiful Program held at Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas in April, but quickly switched gears back to Yellowstone.

"As I was coming here Old Faithful was erupting and for me, whose been to many coin launches, that gives a whole new meaning to a coin launch. So thank you Old Faithful!" joked Moy.

Details of the America the Beautiful Quarters Program were then discussed by Moy including the legislation behind the series and the design work that goes into it. Before closing, Moy tied the quarter program back to the sites they honor and specifically Yellowstone itself:

"When Americans pull this coin out of their pockets, some will remember fond memories of their family vacation in Yellowstone, others will be inspired to visit Yellowstone to create new memories," commented Moy. "Many Americans will make the connection to their rich history as a Nation and the extraordinary natural resources of Wyoming."

With the close of the ceremony, children aged eighteen and under were given a new Yellowstone National Park Quarter for free just for attending. Adults were allowed to line-up to exchange cash for rolls of the new strikes, just as has been done at other recent coin ceremonies.

Of course, today was not the first day in which the Yellowstone Quarters were obtainable by the public. The Federal Reserve has had them available for distribution since Tuesday, June 1. That same day, the Mint started offering two-roll sets and 100-coin bags of circulation quality Yellowstone Quarters on its website and via the toll-free number of 1-800-USA-Mint.

The new quarter reverse, designed and sculpted by Don Everhart, features Old Faithful with a mature bull bison in the foreground and another toward the geyser. Inscriptions included are YELLOWSTONE, WYOMING, 2010 and E PLURIBUS UNUM."

The next America the Beautiful coin for issue is the Yosemite National Park Quarter which will premier near the end of July. Two more strikes will follow, including the Grand Canyon National Park Quarter in September and the Mount Hood National Forest Quarter in November. (See the National Park quarter release dates.)

This summer the US Mint will also introduce the America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coins. These are duplicates of the quarters, but weigh five ounces, have a diameter of 3 inches, and are composed of .999 fine silver.

Yellowstone National Park Quarter, Two-Roll Set and 100-Coin Bags

The Yellowstone quarter is the second 25-cent piece released this year and also just the second issue from the America the Beautiful Quarters™ series — the new U.S. program that will feature 56 differently designed quarters issued at a rate of five per year.

The reverse or tails side of the 2010 Yellowstone quarter was both designed and sculpted by Don Everhart. It features the famous Old Faithful geyser and two bison, which are commonly found roaming the park.

The obverse or heads side of the coin remains commonly familiar. It portrays George Washington, the first President of the United States, as has been the case since 1932.

The quarters may be ordered directly from the US Mint in either 100-coin bags for $35.95 or two-roll sets for $32.95. The 100-coin bags are sold with circulation-quality quarters from either Mint facility located in Philadelphia or Denver. The sets include a roll of 40 coins from each.

The prices are identical to bags and rolls of Hot Springs quarters which the Mint began selling on April 19, 2010.

In terms of understanding circulation quality coins, the Mint describes them as:

"Struck on the main production floors of the United States Mint facilities at Denver and Philadelphia for use in general circulation."

Those interested in placing orders may do so directly from the Mint’s online store (http://www.usmint.gov/). They are also available through the toll free number 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). A fee of $4.95 will be added to all domestic orders to cover shipping and handling costs.

The quarter-dollars also began entering circulation on June 1, with the coins flowing through the federal reserve banking system to local banks around the country. They will eventually find their way into every day change.

The quarter’s ceremonial release will occur on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Mountain Time and will be held at the Old Faithful Inn which is located adjacent to Old Faithful Geyser.

Yellowstone National Park, located primarily in the state of Wyoming, has the distinction of being named the first national park in the U.S. when it was so designated on March 1, 1872.

The America the Beautiful Quarters Program is set to run until 2021 unless it is extended at the discretion of the Treasury Secretary. The 56 coins will honor a different American national park or national site from every state, territory and the District of Columbia.

2010 Yellowstone National Park-Quarter Rolls and Bags

These strikes are also expected to be released through the Federal Reserve banking system and into circulation by local banks on the same day.

The coins mark the second issue of the America the Beautiful Quarters™ Program which debuted earlier this year with the Hot Springs National Park Quarter honoring the national park of the same name located in Arkansas.

Each coin in the series honors a specific national park or other national site with the coins released at a rate of five per year. One site was selected from each state, the District of Columbia and the five territories for a total of fifty-six locations that will be featured in the program.

Three other quarters are slated to debut later in 2010 and include the Yosemite National Park Quarter representing California, Grand Canyon National Park Quarter for Arizona and Mount Hood National Forest Quarter showcasing a national forest located in Oregon.

The Yellowstone National Park Quarter Two-Roll Sets will be offered for $32.95 by the US Mint. Included will be a total of 80 circulation strike quarters, with one roll containing 40 coins struck at the Mint’s facility in Denver, and thus showing the ‘D’ mintmark. The second roll included in the set will contain 40 coins struck at the Mint’s facility in Philadelphia and will have the ‘P’ mint mark.

Buyers will have a choice of what facility they would like to have their coins struck at with the 100-coin Yellowstone National Park Quarter Bags, either Philadelphia or Denver. Each purchased bag will contain 100 circulation quality Yellowstone coins from the selected Mint and will sell for $35.95.

Yellowstone National Park was the first national park created in the nation (and the world). It was established in 1872 to protect the natural resources of the area from abuse including the wildlife and thermal features for which Yellowstone has become noted for.

Upon release, the rolls and bags of the Yellowstone National Park Quarter may be ordered directly on the United States Mint Web site at http://www.usmint.gov/, or through their toll free number 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).

With a crowd estimated at above 1000 individuals, U.S. Mint Director Ed Moy presided over the ceremony which also included National Park Service Midwest Regional Director Ernie Quintana and Hot Springs National Park Superintendent Josie Fernandez.

All were gathered in front of the building which actually appears on the park coin.

Designed by Don Everhart and sculpted by Joseph Menna, the reverse (tails side) of each quarter shows the Hot Springs National Parks headquarters building, complete with a thermal spring fountain in front of it.

Merely a few steps away from the historic location, Moy and his fellow speakers praised not only the Hot Springs Park itself, but also the new quarter-dollar series of which the park is now a part of.

"This has always been a special place, its been a magical place, its been a place of hope and peace and beauty," Director Moy proclaimed at the official release. "That’s what we wanted to capture in the design of the first coin issued under the America the Beautiful Quarters Program from the United States Mint."

"With the launch of the Hot Springs National Park Quarter, a uniquely American journey begins, a journey through coins in celebration of the beauty, history and impact of national sites in every state and territory,"

The obverse of all of the fifty-six coins authorized as part of the America the Beautiful Quarters Program will contain a portrait of the first President of the United States, George Washington. He has been featured on the quarter dollar since 1932. In fact, the current image used is based on that original 1932 design done by artist John Flanagan. It has been updated for today’s circulating coinage by William Cousins.

Once the ceremony was over, those interested in obtaining some of the new coins were allowed to exchange cash for rolls of the strikes. Children who were in attendance were each given a free quarter to commemorate their participation in the event.

Anyone who could not attend the ceremony can still buy quarters bags and rolls directly from the U.S. Mint.

Collectors must now wait until June for the next release of an America the Beautiful coin when the Yellowstone National Park Quarter will debut. It will be followed by the Yosemite National Park Quarter in July, the Grand Canyon National Park Quarter in September and the Mount Hood National Forest Quarter in November.

Hot Springs Quarter Bags and Rolls

The Hot Springs quarter is not only the first for the year, but also the first in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program. Their release begins the new 11-year series which will see a total of at least fifty-six new quarter dollars issued at a rate of five per year. The program is set to run until 2021 unless it is extended at the discretion of the Treasury Secretary.

Each new coin will showcase a site of national interest on its reverse (tails side), with one site chosen from each state, the District of Columbia and the five territories of the United States (Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, US Virgin Islands and Northern Mariana Islands). All fifty-six sites have already been selected and include multiple national parks, national forests, national monuments, etc.

The obverse of each piece will still show a portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States. His likeness has been featured on the quarter dollar in one form or another since 1932. In fact, that original design, which was completed by artist John Flanagan, served as the basis for the current image.

The reverse of the 2010 Hot Springs Quarter was designed by Don Everhart and sculpted by Joseph Menna to contain an image of the headquarters building of the Hot Springs National Park. In front of the building is a thermal spring fountain.

These coins may now be purchased directly from the US Mint in either 100-coin bags for $35.95 or two-roll sets for $32.95.

The 100-coin bags contain circulation-quality strikes from either the Mint in Philadelphia or the Mint in Denver, buyer’s choice. At $35.95, this equates to a premium of $10.95 over the face value of the coins.

The two-roll sets have one roll with 40 coins containing the Philadelphia ‘P’ mintmark and one roll containing the Denver ‘D’ mintmark — for a total of 80 coins. This calculates outs to a premium of $12.95 based on the purchase price of $32.95.

Those interested in buying these new strikes may do so directly from the Mint’s Web site (http://www.usmint.gov/). They are also available through the toll free number 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). The Mint’s standard $4.95 handling charge will be added to each order.

The final five designs for the four 2010 National Park Quarters and the 2010 National Forest Quarter were recently revealed and now the release dates for them are known as well.

The coins are the first of five in a schedule of 56 for issue in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program, which honors National Parks and National Sites between 2010 to 2021. As such, collectors are generally more interested in when they are released as compared to years ahead when the series is older and well known.

The quarter-dollars will be issued on the following dates:

There is no surprise with the first Hot Springs release, as the coin has been scheduled with a firm launch date for more than a month. They will begin to enter circulation on Monday, April 19, and the United States Mint will offer quarter rolls and bags at noon Eastern Time on the same day through its Web site.

In a bit of a change from many prior coin releases, the Hot Springs ceremonial release will actually occur one day later, on Tuesday, April 20. Tuesday is better for the celebratory launch since it coincides with the 178th anniversary of the park itself.

Finally, there is a potential for the remaining quarter releases to change. The U.S. Mint did not publish the exact dates listed above for the public — its Web site still offers only generic monthly time lines. The Mint instead provided the expected dates to the Federal Reserve which is responsible for distributing coins into circulation.

On the subject, the Federal Reserve information page for this year’s America the Beautiful Quarters currently states:

"Please be aware that the availability dates listed here are estimated dates published by the U.S. Mint and may change.

As a reminder, the Federal Reserve distributes coins to depository institutions to meet transactional demand, without regard to specific design.

An order placed on or after the release of a specific design does not guarantee that any quantity of that design will be used to fill the order."

However, history from past coin releases suggests that the dates are not likely to shift.

This Web site’s page: National Park Quarter Sites and Release Schedule was updated with the available launch dates as well.

The United States Mint today said the Hot Springs National Park Quarter will get an official launch ceremony on Tuesday, April 20, at 10 a.m. Central Time.

The quarter is the first of five for 2010, and the inaugural coin in the U.S. Mint America the Beautiful Quarters™ Program — a series that over 11 years will celebrate 48 National Parks, two U.S. Fish and Wildlife sites, and six U.S. Forest Service sites.

The Arkansas Hot Springs National Park quarter features a reverse design, by Don Everhart, depicting the park’s headquarters building in the background and its historic fountain in the foreground. The National Park Service (NPS) emblem is featured to the right of the headquarter’s door. The design was sculpted by Joseph Menna.

The obverse (heads side) of the quarter remains the same with its depiction of George Washington — based on John Flanagan’s 1932 portrait.

Ceremony, coin exchange, quarter rolls and bags

NPS officials will join U.S. Mint Director Ed Moy at the quarter release ceremony to honor Hot Springs National Park on its 178th anniversary. The event will last less than an hour and will be held at the front of Administration Building.

A coin exchange will immediately follow for anyone interested in swapping cash for $10 rolls of the new quarters with a $100 limit in place.

For those who can not attend the ceremony and do not want to wait for the coins to appear at local banks and in daily change, there is also the opportunity to buy quarter rolls and bags directly from the Mint beginning on the day prior to the ceremony, April 19, at noon Eastern Time.

Mint wrapped two-roll sets are available for a price of $32.95. One roll includes 40 coins with the Philadelphia “P” mint mark and the other roll includes 40 coins with the Denver “D” mint mark.

100-coin bags will also be for sale, listed at $35.95 for quarters struck from either Philadelphia or Denver.

Order may be placed Mint’s Web site at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog, or at the toll-free number, 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). 

Coin forum

Finally, the Mint also announced that there will be a coin forum on the evening prior (the 19th) to the ceremonial release. The forum, hosted by Director Moy, offers the opportunity for coin collectors and enthusiasts to ask any coinage questions and learn about other new coins set for release in America.

The forum will begin at 5 p.m. Central Time and will be held at the:

Quapaw Bath House
413 Bathhouse Row
Hot Springs, Arkansas, 71901

Hot Springs was first established as a federally controlled location on April 20, 1832, making it the oldest national site and earning it the right as the first to be celebrated in the new quarter series. It is actually the 18th national park, in terms of order. That happened on March 4, 1921, which was the same time it was renamed from Hot Springs Reservation to Hot Springs National Park.

It was only in late March when the Mint first revealed the final five 2010 park quarter designs.

The next four 2010 quarter-dollars will feature reverse design honoring Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Yosemite National Park in California, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, and Mount Hood National Forest Site in Oregon.

In a start to the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters® Program, which honors 56 different sites on the reverse of the quarter-dollars between 2010-2021, the five new designs were unveiled at a short ceremony at the Newseum Museum in Washington, D.C., on March 24, 2010.

"Through America the Beautiful Quarters coins, we will be transported to national parks, forests and wildlife refuges, part of a vast public land legacy belonging to all Americans-natural and cultural treasures protected for our recreation, relaxation, education, inspiration and transformation," Mint Director Moy said at the ceremony.

For 11 years, 48 National Park sites, two U.S. Fish and Wildlife sites, and six U.S. Forest Service sites will be commemorated from each state, D.C. and U.S. territory.

The 2010 quarter-dollars will feature reverse ("tails side") design themes honoring:

• Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas,
• Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming,
• Yosemite National Park in California,
• Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, and
• Mount Hood National Forest Site in Oregon

Nineteen 2010 park quarter design candidates, with emphasis on the word "candidates," were made public by the Mint in late 2009. These were reviewed by various individuals and entities, and eventually five tweaked designs were selected by Secretary of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner after receiving recommendations from US Mint Directory Moy.

The following quarter pictures reveal the line art images of this year’s quarters:

2010 Hot Springs National Park Quarter Design

The design depicts the Hot Springs National Park headquarters building in the background. It was built in the Spanish colonial revival style and completed in 1936. The National Park Service emblem is featured to the right of the door. The site’s fountain is featured in the foreground. Inscriptions include HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS, 2010 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

The quarter will be released on April 19, 2010, with an official ceremony held at the park on April 20, 2010.

2010 Yellowstone National Park Quarter Design

The design features Old Faithful with a bison in the foreground. Inscriptions include YELLOWSTONE, WYOMING, 2010 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

The quarter is set for release on June 1, 2010.

2010 Yosemite National Park Quarter Design

The design depicts El Capitan, which is 3,000 feet at the tallest point and is the largest monolith of granite in the world. Inscriptions include YOSEMITE, CALIFORNIA, 2010 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

The quarter is set for release on July 26, 2010.

2010 Grand Canyon National Park Quarter Design

The design depicts a view of the granaries above the Nankoweap Delta in Marble Canyon near the Colorado River. Inscriptions include GRAND CANYON, ARIZONA, 2010 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

The quarter is set for release on September 20, 2010.

2010 Mount Hood National Forest Quarter Design

This reverse design portrays a view of Mount Hood with Lost Lake in the foreground. Inscriptions include MOUNT HOOD, OREGON, 2010 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

The quarter is set for release on November 15, 2010.

The obverse ("heads side") of each coin bears a restored version of the historic George Washington portrait, which was first featured on quarters back in 1932.

Hot Springs National Park Quarter rolls and and bags will be released on April 19, 2010, the United States Mint said on Monday.

Although not officially announced, the new coins will also likely be released into circulation on the same day.

Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas is the first to be celebrated in a new 11-year quarter-dollar series, named the America the Beautiful Quarters Program. The program honors National Parks and other National Sites in the US and its Territories at a rate of five per year.

The remaining four sites honored this year include: Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Yosemite National Park in California, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona and Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon. Then through the next 10 years another 51 more quarters will be issued.

As for the first offerings, Hot Springs National Park Two-Roll Quarter Sets includes 80 circulation strike quarters, with one roll containing 40 coins with the Philadelphia "P" mint mark and the other roll with the Denver "D" mint mark. The set is priced at $32.95.

100-coin Hot Springs National Park Quarter Bags contain circulation strikes of the quarters minted in Philadelphia or Denver. Each is priced at $35.95 price.

The two-roll sets are priced at the same level as last year’s quarter rolls while the 100-coin bags have increased in price by $3.

Upon release, orders may be placed directly on the United States Mint Web site at http://www.usmint.gov/, or through their toll free number 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).

As of this writing, the US Mint has yet to announce the final 2010 quarter designs. Candidate designs in line art form have been available to the public for months.