Coin | Quarter Dollar 2010 Hot Springs, Arkansas |
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The Quarter Dollar is a United States coin worth 25 cents. It has been produced on and off since 1796 and consistently since 1831. From its inception until 1964, the denomination was issued in silver; it underwent several design changes, including finally the silver Washington quarter (1932 - 1964) featuring the first President of the United States on the obverse and the American Eagle clutching a bunch of arrows on the reverse. Initially meant as a one-year design to commemorate 200 years since the birth of George Washington in 1932, the obverse became the definitive design for the denomination and has been used ever since. The reverse was issued in this form until 1998, after which time a large number of circulating commemoratives started being issued instead; the State Quarters series of 50 coins featuring each State was issued from 1999 to 2008; in 2009, a six-coin series represented the District of Columbia and five US territories.
The America the Beautiful Quarters Program (abbreviated ATB) running from 2010 until 2021 was then introduced; it is a 56 quarter-dollar coin series featuring designs depicting national parks and other national sites in each state, federal district or territory.
The Hot Springs National Park quarter is the first of 2010 and the first overall in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program; it was released on 19 April 2010. Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, destination of the Dunbar-Hunter Expedition sent by President Thomas Jefferson in 1804, features prehistoric American Indian quarries. A bustling town grew up around the hot springs to provide health services. Hot Springs was first established as a national site on 20 April 1832 (4 Stat. 505), to conserve the water from the 47 springs that emerge from Hot Springs Mountain and to ensure that water was made available for drinking and therapy.
Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas) Quarter Dollars issued in 2010 have now been in circulation for 15 years. |
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Obverse | |
At its centre, the obverse of the coin shows the portrait of George Washington, the first President of the United States (1789 - 1797), facing left. He has long hear, tied below the neck with a ribbon.
The designer's initials JF (for John Flanagan) are in relief on the neck truncation, followed by those of the engraver: WC (for William Cousins).
To the left of the portrait, the inscription LIBERTY. On three lines to the right, the motto IN GOD WE TRUST.
Around above, the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Around below, the value and denomination in words: QUARTER DOLLAR.
The mint mark is a small letter behind George Washington's neck.
Mint marks this year are D, P or S for Denver Mint, Philadelphia Mint or San Francisco Mint respectively. |
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Reverse | |
The reverse design of the coin depicts the façade of the Hot Springs National Park headquarters building in Arkansas, with a thermal fountain in the foreground. The headquarters was built in the Spanish colonial revival style and completed in 1936. The National Park Service emblem is featured to the right of the door. The initials of the designer JFM (for Joseph Menna) are at the base of the fountain below right; the initials of the engraver DE (for Don Everhart) are below left.
Around above, the inscription HOT SPRINGS. Around below left, the name of the state, ARKANSAS.
The date of issue 2010 is below, followed by the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM ("Out of many, one" - signifying unity in diversity). |
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Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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Notes | Authorising Legislation: Public Law 110-456.
The San Francisco Mint only struck proof coins for collectors, not released into circulation: 1,401,903 in copper-nickel and 859,435 in silver.
The other two mints issued both circulation coins and "Satin Finish" coins for collectors. Their mintages were: - Denver Mint: 34,000,000 circulation coins plus 583,897 in "Satin Finish" - Philadelphia Mint: 35,600,000 circulation coins plus 583,897 in "Satin Finish" |
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