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 Olympic National Park quarter is the third to be released in 2011 and the eighth overall in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program; it was released on 13 June 2011 and represents the state of Washington.
From glistening tide pools to glacier-capped peaks, Olympic National Park protects more than 70 miles of Pacific Ocean beaches and, less than 33 miles away, the glacier-capped 7,980-foot summit of Mount Olympus that is the heart of the Olympic range. The park consists of coastline, rugged peaks, meadows and lakes, scattered forests and steep forested slopes ending in broad, U-shaped valleys. Geology, climate, isolation, history and sheer size make this nearly 1 million-acre park home to relatively intact ecosystems and a priceless living laboratory for plants and myriad species of animals large and small. It was first established as a national site on February 22, 1897 (29 Stat. 901).
Olympic National Park (Washington) Quarter Dollars issued in 2011 have now been in circulation for 14 years. |
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. |
|
Reverse | |
The reverse of the coin depicts a Roosevelt elk standing on a gravel river bar of the Hoh River with a view of Mount Olympus in the background.
Around above, the inscription OLYMPIC. Around below left, the name of the state, WASHINGTON.
The initials of the designer SG (for Susan Gamble) are in the ground below left; the initials of the sculptor, MG (for Michael Gaudioso), are a bit higher in the ground on right.
The date of issue 2011 is below, followed by the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM ("Out of many, one" - signifying unity in diversity). |
|