The official ceremony to introduce 2014 Arches National Park Quarters to the public is scheduled for June 6, the United States Mint has confirmed through a notice of upcoming events.
Quarter launch ceremonies are open to the public, free, and tend to happen just a few days after the quarter-dollars are released into general circulation through the Federal Reserve.
In this case, the events are switched with the Arches National Park Quarter beginning its journey into circulation three days after the ceremony, on June 9, and the U.S. Mint selling rolls and bags of the coins on the same day.
Hosted by the United States Mint and National Park Service (NPS), the ceremony starts on the 6th at 9 a.m. MT and is located at:
Arches National Park Visitor Center
US Hwy 191
Moab, UT 84532
Here is a notice from the U.S. Mint about transportation to the release ceremony:
Shuttle buses will transport visitors to and from the event. Shuttle service will begin at 7:15 a.m. from the Helen M. Knight Elementary School in Moab with the last shuttle departing at 8:15 a.m. Visitor Center parking is extremely limited and expected to fill quickly. Shuttle use or carpooling will be required. Early arrival is highly recommended.
Local dignitaries, usually a couple of politicians or their representatives, and officials from the NPS and U.S. Mint will be in attendance with some of them offering short speeches about the national park and quarter. At this event, invited quests include Utah Lieutenant Governor Spencer J. Cox and Moab Mayor Dave Sakrison. Other officials include U.S. Mint Deputy Director Richard Peterson and Arches National Park Superintendent Kate Cannon (Southeast Utah Group).
Release ceremonies tend to last about 30-40 minutes. Immediately following the ceremony, children will receive a new Arches National Park Quarter and others can exchange cash for $10 rolls of 40 coins. Zions Bank Moab Financial Center will provide them.
Coin Forum on June 5
Held the evening prior to the release ceremony is the traditional United States Mint Coin Forum. This is also a free event, offering the opportunity to question U.S. Mint officials about new and upcoming coin programs. The coin forum begins on June 5, 2014, 5:30 p.m. MT and is located at:
Zions Bank Community Room
330 S Main Street
Moab, UT 84532
About the Quarters
The 2014 Arches National Park Quarter will be the 23rd release from the America the Beautiful Quarters series that commemorates national sites and parks throughout the U.S. and its territories. All five designs in 2014 honor national parks.
Featured on the Arches quarter’s reverse is a depiction of Delicate Arch, which is a 65-foot freestanding natural arch. The La Sal Mountains appear in the background. The design was crafted by Donna Weaver and sculpted by Charles L. Vickers.