All five of the 2014 national park quarters in proof quality are now available from the United States Mint in its annual America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set.
Released today, January 7, 2014, the Mint offers the clad proof set as they normally do, in a clear plastic lens, and this time the outer packaging is illustrative and colorful with scenes from the featured national parks. Its price is $14.95, the same as last year’s set.
Collector, proof quarters of the set are minted in San Francisco, so each one will bear the "S" mint mark. As a side note, none of the 2014 national park quarters have been released into circulation. That’ll happen throughout the year with the first quarter having a release date of January 27, 2014. The 2014 quarters are:
- 2014 Great Smoky Mountains National Park Quarter
- 2014 Shenandoah National Park Quarter
- 2014 Arches National Park Quarter
- 2014 Great Sand Dunes National Park Quarter
- 2014 Everglades National Park Quarter
Clad quarters — whether the ones found in circulation are in this clad proof set, are minted from 8.33% nickel with the remaining balance copper. Proof coins are different than those found in circulation, however. Proof coins have a sharp relief, mirror-like backgrounds, and frosted foregrounds. This is accomplished with the use of specially treated and polished proof blanks that are struck at least twice with specially polished dies. The clear lens that they are packaged in protects the proof’s finish.
The 2014 America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set is the fifth in the annually produced sets, and the America the Beautiful Quarters series will last 12 years. The first set launched in 2010 with quarters that honored Hot Springs National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and Mount Hood National Forest.
2011-dated park quarters featured Gettysburg National Military Park, Glacier National Park, Olympic National Park, Vicksburg National Military Park, and Chickasaw National Recreation Area. In 2012, the parks were El Yunque National Forest, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Acadia National Park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and Denali National Park. Last year’s quarters showcased White Mountain National Forest, Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, Great Basin National Park, Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
In all, 56 coins will represent a national park or other national site in each of the states, the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. Every one of them will have a common obverse, that of George Washington, the first President of the United States.
2014 national park quarters will also appear in several other United States Mint sets in varying qualities, like:
| Description | Release Date | |
| 2014 America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set | January 21 | |
| 2014 US Mint Proof Set | March 25 | |
| America the Beautiful Quarters Uncirculated Coin Set | April | |
| 2014 Silver Proof Set | April | |
| 2014 Uncirculated Coin Set | May | |
| 2014 Limited Edition Silver Proof Set | May | |
| 2014 America the Beautiful Quarters Circulating Coin Set | November |
Another way for consumers to obtain annual sets is through the US Mint’s online subscription program service. A promotion, offering a 10 percent discount, is available for this set, making its price $13.95. Visit the US Mint website for more information.
To order the clad proof set, place an order at the bureau’s online catalog, at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog, or by phone at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Here is a direct link to the Mint’s annual coin sets page.
Hearing and speech-impaired customers should call 1-888-321-MINT (6468). Note, the US Mint adds a shipping and handling fee of $4.95 to all domestic orders.