In 2017, the second quarter release from the United States Mint commemorates Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, DC. This strike is the 37th of 56 scheduled as part of the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters® Program.
Important dates for the Frederick Douglass quarter include:
- its release into general circulation beginning on April 3, 2017;
- its availability in U.S. Mint-branded rolls and bags at www.usmint.gov, also on April 3, 2017; and
- its official launch ceremony, hosted by the U.S. Mint and the National Park Service, at the park on April 4, 2017 at 10 AM ET.
Following ceremonies, there is an opportunity to exchange cash for rolls of the new coin.
In addition, U.S. Mint-hosted coin forums are scheduled on the day prior to quarter ceremonies. They give a venue for the public to ask U.S. Mint officials about current and upcoming products. The forum is held on April 3, 2017 from 3:00 to 4:00 PM ET at the U.S. Mint’s headquarters (801 9th Street NW, Washington, DC). RSVP is required for the coin forum and entry into U.S. Mint building (ddawson@usmint.treas.gov).
Frederick Douglass Quarter Designs
After reviewing 6 reverse design candidates, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury selected the final design for the national site. Created by Thomas Hipschen and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, it depicts Frederick Douglass seated at a writing desk. His home in Washington, D.C. appears in the background. Surrounding inscriptions read: "FREDERICK DOUGLASS," "DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA," "2017," and "E PLURIBUS UNUM."
Quarter obverses share the same design, a portrait of George Washington as created by John Flanagan.
Both obverse and reverse designs are also featured on a series of U.S. Mint bullion and collector 3-inch diameter, 5-ounce silver coins.
Why Buy Quarters from the U.S. Mint?
Many people, coin collectors in particular, pay a premium to buy new quarters directly from the United States Mint so they can get them quickly, in large quantities, and from all three U.S. Mint facilities that product them.
Keep in mind that Federal Reserve Banks distribution new coinage without regard to their designs so it can take months to years for certain designs to show up in change. See our Where to Get National Park Quarters page for more information.
About the Quarter Program
The Mint’s program of park quarters debuted in 2010 and features five new strikes annually. Each honors a different site of national interest from around the United States and its territories. The four 2017 national park or site quarters commemorate:
- Effigy Mounds National Monument Quarter (Iowa),
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways Quarter (Missouri),
- Ellis Island (Statue of Liberty National Monument) (New Jersey), and
- and George Rogers Clark National Historical Park (Indiana).
Coins of the program are released in the order in which the honored sites came under the direct control of the federal government. (See the quarter release schedule.) Included in the sites are national parks, national forests, national monuments, and national wildlife refuges. These sites are depicted on the reverse of the quarter-dollar with a design emblematic of that location.
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site Information
Administered by the National Park Service, the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site is located in Washington D.C. at the house and estate where Douglass lived and developed his ideas on equality. After escaping slavery, he promoted equality for all, including women.
Douglas learned to read and write at a young age, and thanks to this knowledge it led him to question his life as a slave. Eventually, he was able to free himself and move to New York.
Frederick Douglas named his house Cedar Hill, which is where tourists can visit. Cedar Hill was handed over to the government to be restored in 1962. Once the restoration was complete, the site was opened to the public for tours. However, due to the home’s small size, tours are by ticket only.