The only new product scheduled for release by the United States Mint in the next two weeks is the one containing Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine Quarters.

Beginning on September 19, 2013, at noon (ET), the US Mint will release its 2013 Fort McHenry Quarters Three-Coin Set. Pricing of the three-coin set is shown as $9.95, the same price as for previous similar releases.

Included in the set are three numismatic quality Fort McHenry quarters with each from a different United States Mint facility. The three included coins are:

• 2013-P Fort McHenry quarter in uncirculated quality struck at the US Mint’s facility in Philadelphia
• 2013-D Fort McHenry quarter in uncirculated quality struck at the US Mint’s facility in Denver
• 2013-S Fort McHenry quarter in proof quality struck at the US Mint’s facility in San Francisco

All three collector-grade coins are affixed to a durable display card. On the front side of the card is a colored photographic picture of the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine of Maryland. The back side offers information on the national site and the quarters struck to honor it, plus the Mint’s certificate of authenticity.

As described, the 2013-P and 2013-D Fort McHenry Quarters are struck to uncirculated quality. Coins of this finish feature finer details than those in circulating-quality such as those issued earlier this month in the Fort McHenry Quarter bags and rolls or the ones that will eventually be found in circulation.

The proof-quality coin from San Francisco also offers an enhanced level of detail along with frosted foregrounds and a mirror-like background. This finish is one preferred by most coin collectors.

Quarter Releases in 2013

Fort McHenry quarters are issued as the fourth 2013-dated strikes of the US Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. Coins of the program first debuted in 2010 with five new strikes released annually each honoring a different national park or site of national interest. This year there are more national sites than national parks featured, though most years that is reversed.

Appearing in 2013 before Fort McHenry quarters were coins honoring White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire, Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial Quarter of Ohio and Great Basin National Park of Nevada. Scheduled to appear as the last 2013-dated America the Beautiful Quarter is one honoring Mount Rushmore National Memorial of South Dakota.

The series is set to run until 2021 when a total of fifty-six have been issued in the program with one representing a site of national interest from each state, the District of Columbia and the five US territories. The Treasury Secretary does have the authority to extend the program for another 56 quarter run.

Fort McHenry Quarter Designs

Offered on the reverse of the Fort McHenry Quarters is a design emblematic of Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine of Maryland. The image was designed and executed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna and is meant to represent the site during the "Defenders Day" celebration. Fireworks in the design symbolize the "rocket’s red glare" line of the Star-Spangled Banner which was written by Francis Scott Key after witnessing a battle at the fort in 1814.

Reverse inscriptions include FORT McHENRY, MARYLAND, 2013, and E PLURIBUS UNUM.

On the obverse, a portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States, is shown. This portrait is the work of John Flanagan and first appeared on circulating quarter dollars in 1932. Obverse inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and QUARTER DOLLAR.

Ordering Three-Coin Set

Those interested in ordering a Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine Quarters Three-Coin Set may do so via the U.S. Mint’s online catalog at http://catalog.usmint.gov/. Orders are also accepted by telephone by calling 1-800-U.S.A-MINT (872-6468). No ordering limits are in place with demand determining the final mintage. Orders placed online this month will not be charged the standard $4.95 shipping and handling fee as the Mint is currently running a free shipping promotion to encourage web orders.