Coin | Quarter Dollar 2015 Blue Ridge Parkway |
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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 Blue Ridge Parkway quarter is the third to be released in 2015 and the 28th overall in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program; it was released on 8 June 2015 and represents the state of North Carolina.
Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic byway with natural attractions, a unit of the park system with numerous recreational opportunities and a cross-section of Appalachian mountain history. Stretching 469 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains through North Carolina and Virginia, it encompasses some of the oldest settlements of both pre-historic and early European settlement in the U.S. It was established as a national site in 1936.
Blue Ridge Parkway (North Carolina) Quarter Dollars issued in 2015 have now been in circulation for ten 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 depicts the grace and curvature of the road hugging the side of a mountain, with a small tunnel visible ahead, and the North Carolina state flower in the foreground.
Around above, the inscription BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY. Around below left, the name of the state: NORTH CAROLINA.
The initials of the designer FM (for Frank Morris) are below left; the initials of the sculptor, JFM (for Joseph Menna) are below right.
The date of issue 2015 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 coins for collectors, not released into circulation: 1,811,907 in copper-nickel and 490,829 in silver. The other two mints only struck circulation coins. |
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