The United States Mint kicked off the middle month of 2010 with another new offering. It began selling freshly struck 2010 Yellowstone National Park Quarters on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at noon Eastern Time.

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.