This coin is part of the America the Beautiful silver bullion coins (abbreviated ATB) - a series of 56 silver bullion coins with a face value of a quarter dollar. The coins in the series contain 5oz (five troy ounces) of silver, making them the largest silver bullion coins issued to date by the United States Mint. The design of the coins duplicates exactly - though much enlarged - each of the America the Beautiful quarters. They were issued from 2010 to 2021.
All coins in the series feature a common obverse depicting George Washington in a restored version of the portrait created by John Flanagan for the 1932 Washington quarter, while the reverses feature five individual designs for each year of the program (one in 2021), each depicting a national park or national site - one from each state, federal district, and territory.
The Cumberland Gap National Historical Park quarter design is the second to be released in 2016 and the 32nd overall in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program; it was released on 4 April 2016 and represents the state of Kentucky.
The buffalo, the Native American, the lone hunter, the pioneer... they all travelled through Cumberland Gap, the first gateway to the West, into the wilderness of Kentucky. Modern day explorers and travellers stand in awe at this great break in the Appalachian Mountain chain, carved by wind and water. Visitors to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park enjoy many miles of trails and scenic features, as the park stretches for 26 miles along Cumberland Mountain, ranging from one to four miles in width and containing 24,000 acres. The natural beauty of Appalachian mountain country, lush with vegetation, supports diverse animal life including white-tailed deer, black bear and wild turkey. It was established as a national site in 1940. |
| Obverse | |
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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.
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.
Ordinary "bullion" coins have no mint mark; those of the "uncirculated" variety have the Philadelphia Mint's P mint mark behind George Washington's neck. |
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| Reverse | |
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The design features a frontiersman gazing across the mountains to the West. Many pioneers used Cumberland Gap on their journey into the western frontiers of Kentucky and Tennessee. To the left of the figure, on four lines the inscription FIRST DOORWAY TO THE WEST.
Around above, the inscription CUMBERLAND GAP. Around below left, the name of the state: KENTUCKY.
Below left, the initials of the designer BF (for Barbara Fox); 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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Buy this online from JM Bullion
(uncirculated)
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