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 Fort Moultrie (Fort Sumter National Monument) quarter is the fifth to be released in 2016 and the 35th overall in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program; it was released on 14 November 2016 and represents the state of South Carolina.
Fort Moultrie, the first fort on Sullivan’s Island, was still incomplete when Commodore Sir Peter Parker and nine warships attacked it on June 28, 1776. After a nine-hour battle, the ships were forced to retire. Charleston was saved from British occupation, and the fort was named in honour of its commander, Colonel William Moultrie. In 1780, the British finally captured Charleston, abandoning it only on the advent of peace. After the Revolutionary War, Fort Moultrie was neglected, and by 1791 little of it remained. Then, in 1793, war broke out between England and France. A second Fort Moultrie, one of 20 new forts along the Atlantic coast, was completed in 1798. It too suffered from neglect and was finally destroyed by a hurricane in 1804. In 1809 a new, brick third Fort Moultrie stood on Sullivan’s Island. It was established as a national site in 1948.
Fort Moultrie (Fort Sumter National Monument), South Carolina Quarter Dollars issued in 2016 have now been in circulation for nine 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. |
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Reverse | |
The design depicts Sergeant William Jasper returning the South Carolina State Militia regimental flag to the ramparts while under attack from a British ship.
Around above, the inscription FORT MOULTRIE. Around below left, the name of the state: SOUTH CAROLINA.
Below left, the initials of the designer RS (for Richard Scott); below right, the initials of the sculptor, JFM (for Joseph Menna).
The date of issue 2016 is below, followed by the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM ("Out of many, one" - signifying unity in diversity). |
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