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Monday 28 August 2017

561) America the Beautiful Quarters (9) – 2018 Ninth Annual Quarters set being issued by the US Mint in 2018:

561) America the Beautiful Quarters (9) – 2018 Ninth Annual Quarters set being issued by the US Mint in 2018:


This is the ninth year in the “America the Beautiful Quarters programme” which was launched in 2010. Every year five quarters are issued featuring five different National Parks or National sites. The Series is expected to run through 2021 with a total of 56 different coins featuring a site for each US State, US Territory and the District of Columbia, presented in the order in which these Parks/sites were federally designated.

 I have put up posts on each of the previous year issues i.e. 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, the links of which are given at the bottom of this Post.
The Reverses of the five quarters finalised to be issued by the US Mint in 2018

The 2018 coins will commemorate Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Michigan), Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (Wisconsin), Voyageurs National Park (Minnesota), Cumberland Island National Seashore (Georgia) and Block Island National Wildlife Refuge (Rhode Island). 

The details of the five designs selected for 2018, representing the 41st  to 45th overall coin releases are as under:

 41) Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Michigan):

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (PRNL) was designated on 17.05.1965 and established on 15.10.1966.

It is located on the shore of Lake Superior in the Upper  Peninsula of Michigan. Its governing body is the US National Park Service. The PRNL covers an area of about 73,236 acres (about 296.38 sq. kilometres).

The Park offers spectacular scenery of its hilly shoreline between Munising, Michigan and Grand Marais, Michigan, together with various rock formations like natural archways, waterfalls and sand dunes.

The Park gets its name from 15 miles (or 24.0 km) of colourful sandstone cliffs North-east of Munising, some of which rise 200 feet (or 60 metres) above lake level. These cliffs have naturally sculpted shallow caves, arches, formations that resemble castle turrets, human profiles et al.

Jacobsville Formation (mottled red colour) is the oldest rock in the park. Interestingly, the rock formations on the cliff have acquired different colours/hues - iron (red), manganese (black-white), limonite (yellow-brown), copper (pink-green) etc. As the underground water which leaches out of the rocks evaporates, these minerals leave streaks of colour on the rocks.

Kayaking is a common feature around the cliff faces and is a popular method of exploring the rock arches and caves in the Park.

The Park also offers winter sports activities like cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, snow-mobiling  and ice-fishing etc.

Some  popular sites include: water-falls (Munising Falls, Bridalveil Falls, Spray Falls, Mosquito Falls, Miners Falls, Sable Falls, Chapel Falls et al), rock formations (Chapel Rock,Grand Portal point, et al), Shipwrecks, White Birch Forest, Grand Sable Dunes/Lake, twelve Mile beach etc which are visited by around 500,000 visitors who come to the Park every year.

The coin:
The Reverse of this coin  is titled "PICTURED ROCKS" (MICHIGAN) is the 41st in the “America the Beautiful Quarters Programme”
The Reverse of the above quarter as seen against the backdrop of the original site which is depicted on the coin

The Reverse design taken from "Pictured Rocks" National Lakeshore" depicts a natural structure known as "Chapel Rock" and the white pine tree that grows atop it.

 On the upper periphery is mentioned the inscription “PICTURED ROCKS”. On the lower Periphery are mentioned “MICHIGAN” “E.PLURIBUS UNUM” (meaning “One Among Many”) and the year of issue “2018”.

 The Reverse has been designed under the United States Mint “Artistic Infusion Program” (AIP) by Designer Paul C. Balan and engraved/sculpted by Mint sculptor-engraver Michael Gaudioso, whose initials will appear on the actual coins. The Scenoic photo is by Zoe Rudisill.

42) Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (Wisconsin):

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore shoreline is spread over an area of 68,372 acres (about 280.74 sq. kilometres or 28,074 Hectares). It was established on 26.09.1970 and is monitored/governed by the US National Park Service. The Islands Group is situated on the Northern tip of Wisconsin at Bayfield, on the shore of Lake Superior which is the largest, cleanest and coldest of the Great Lakes.  

Apostle Islands were formed due to glaciers that once covered North America. The Indians (Native Americans) were the first to inhabit in Islands.

Around the fourteenth century, the Islands were visited by a French Explorer - Etienne Brule, who was trying to discover a new route to the East Indies. Later visits by Jesuit missionaries saw this Islands Group named as "Apostle Islands",  after the Jesuit practice of giving "holy names" to new places, which they visited. Fur traders were the first explorers to build a village for permanently settling down in the Islands.

Apostle Islands group consists of 21 Islands (Eagle Island, Sand Island, York Island, Bear Island, Devil's Island, Rocky Island, South Twin Island, North Twin Island, Outer Island, Cat Island, Ironwood Island, Otter Island, Raspberry Island, Oak Island, Manitou Island, Stockton Island, Gull Island, Michigan Island, Hermit Island, Basswood Island and Mong Island, which are variously used for docking, ranger stations, camping lighthouse visits, Manitou fishing, Logging camp and a sandstone quarry etc.). Only Madeline Island is not included in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

It is famous for its collection of historic light-houses, sandstone sea caves, cliffs, rock formations, shipwreck viewing, old growth remnant forests and natural animal habitats et al. 

In addition, game-hunting (which includes white-tailed deer, black bear, grouse and other small game) is permitted on some islands during certain periods of the year.

The coin:
This coin is the 42nd in the “America the Beautiful Quarters Programme”.

The Reverse of the above quarter as seen against the backdrop of the original site which is depicted on the coin

The Reverse design shows Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and depicts the sea caves at Devil's Island with the light-house in the background and a kayaker paddling in the foreground. 

 On the upper periphery is mentioned the inscription “APOSTLE ISLANDS”. On the lower Periphery are mentioned “WISCONSIN” “E.PLURIBUS UNUM” (meaning “One Among Many”) and the year of issue “2018”. 

The Reverse has been designed by AIP designer Richard Masters and engraved by US Mint sculptor-engraver Renata Gordon, whose initials will appear on the actual coins. The scenic photo is by Tim Wilson.

43) Voyageuers National Park (Minnesota):

Voyageur National Park is a US National Park in Northern Minnesota, near the town of International Falls, which was established on 08.04.1975.The Park lies in the heart of the North American Continent.

The French word "voyageur" means "traveller". There are signs of human life/activity in the Park area for over 10,000 years. Signs of Native Americans, fur traders, homesteaders, logging timer, mining and commercial fishing abound all over the park.

More recently, "voyageurs" travelled through the clear, dark waters of the inter-connected waterways over 250 years ago in search of fur trade and settlements to live in. The Park's name commemorates the "voyaguers", French-Canadian fur traders who were the first European settlers to frequent the area.

Many different cultures or people have created the history of the Park from the early cultures, Ojibway to the Voyageurs and European Settlements.

The Park offers a variety of historic sites and cultural landscapes to explore while visiting this unique park and is popular with canoeists, kayakers, boaters and fishermen. Other activities which the Park offers, include camping (175 sites are classified as tent, house-boat or day-use sites), fishing (Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Smallmouth bass & Crappie abound in the lakes), hiking (there are over 50 miles or 80 km of hiking trails). Winter activities/sports include - lake driving, snowmobiling (on the Rainy Lake Trail, Kettle Falls Trail, Rudder Bay trail, Voyageur Trail, Chain of Lakes Trail, Arrowhead Trail, Woody's Trail, Peterson Bay Trail, Tone Dawg Trail, Ray  Access spur etc.) cross-country skiing, winter camping, ice fishing and snow-shoe hiking.  

The Park encompasses four major lakes - Rainy Lake(places of visitor interest sites include Kettle Falls, Anderson Bay, Surveyor's Island, Camp Marston, Rainy Lake City, Harry Oveson Fish camp, Little American Fish Camp), Kabetogama Lake ( Ellsworth Rock Gardens, Hacksaw Pass) Namakan Lake (Hoist Bay, Moose River Indian Village, Stevens Pine Cove) and Sand Point Lake ( Casareto Summer Cabin, Grassy Bay, Ingersoll Estate etc.). In addition, the Park has several smaller lakes.

Wildlife at the Park includes wolves, black bears, moose, white-tailed deer, foxes, beavers, river otters, muskrats, hares, weasels etc. Avifauna includes Bald eagles, loons, double-crested cormorants, owls, warblers etc.

About 250,000 visitors come to Park every year.

The coin:
This coin is the 43rd in the “America the Beautiful Quarters Programme”.

The Reverse of the above quarter as seen against the backdrop of the original site which is depicted on the coin

The Reverse depicts a common loon swimming on Rainy Lake, to the left with a rock cliff in the background. On the upper periphery is mentioned the inscription "VOYAGEURS". On the lower periphery are mentioned  "MINNESOTA", "E. PLURIBUS UNUM" (meaning "One Among Many) and the year of issue "2018".

The Reverse has been designed AIP designer Patricia Lucas-Morris  and engraved by  Mint sculptor-engraver Joseph Menna, whose initials will appear on the actual coins. The scenic photo is by JCK photos and the inset is by Aaron Warren.

44) Cumberland  Island National Seashore –  (Georgia):

Cumberland Island National Seashore (CINS) was established on 23.10.1972 and preserves most of Cumberland Island in Camden County, Georgia., the largest of Georgia's Golden Isles.

Measuring over 9,886 acres (or about 40.01 sq. km.), the seashore has several popular beaches, dunes, marshes and fresh-water lakes, in addition to many historic sites and structures.

The CINS has a dense diversity of coastal flora and fauna.  There are over 23 distinct ecological communities, making it the largest and most bio-diverse of Georgia's barrier island. There is a proliferation of migratory birds, in particular water-fowl.

The CINS museum focusses on the Island's history and includes displays on the Timucua Indians, antebellum plantations and estates of the Cargegie family. There are references heroes of the American Revolution and inventors, wagons , carriages and travel items of visitor interest, in the museum. 

In addition, there is an Ice House Museum showcasing original artefacts and replicas from the Island's prehistoric, colonial, early American and Gilded Era histories. 

About 50,000 visitors come to see the Park every year.

The Coin:

This coin is the 44th in the “America the Beautiful Quarters Programme”. 
The Reverse of the above quarter as seen against the backdrop of the original site which is depicted on the coin

 The Reverse design depicts a snowy egret perched on a branch on the edge of a salt marsh, its wings raised in preparation for flight. 

 On the upper periphery is mentioned the inscription “CUMBERLAND ISLAND”. On the lower Periphery are mentioned “GEORGIA” “E.PLURIBUS UNUM” (meaning “One Among Many”) and the year of issue “2018”.

The Reverse has been designed by AIP designer Donna Weaver and engraved by mint sculptor-engraver Don Everhart, whose initials will appear on the actual coins. The scenic photo is by Trish Hartman, while the inset photo is by Pixabay.

45) Block Island National Wildlife Refuge (Rhode Island):

Black Island National Wildlife Refuge (BINWR) is located about 12 miles (or about 19.0 km) off-shore on the picturesque Block Island, the BINWR provides an important habitat for wildlife and a place for visitors to appreciate the natural environment of the island.

The BINWR was established in 1973 with the transfer of 28 acres (or approx. 110,000 sq. metres from the US Coast Guard and presently covers some 127.0 acres (or 0.51 sq. kilometres).

The Refuge is administered as part of the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which manages all five of the National Wildlife Refuges in Rhode Island and is based in Charleston, Rhode Island.

Refuge lands on Block Island attract large concentrations of migratory songbirds which visit this area every fall.

Located in the "Atlantic Flyway" (Migratory Bird Route) many young, inexperienced songbirds "overfly" the mainland and stopover on the Island before continuing their migration. Several  varieties of songbirds come to this area. Block Island is internationally recognised as one of the important migratory bird habitats on the East Coast, and hundreds of "birders" or "Bird watching" enthusiasts, flock to the Island during the Bird migratory season.

The Refuge is also home to the largest gull colony in Rhode Island.

Coin:
This coin is the 45th in the “America the Beautiful Quarters Programme”.  
The Reverse of the above quarter as seen against the backdrop of the original site which is depicted on the coin

The Reverse design depicts a black-crowned night-heron flying to the left over a view from the beach at Cow Cove looking towards Sandy Point. The North Lighthouse is seen in the background.

On the upper periphery is mentioned the inscription “BLOCK ISLAND”.

On the lower Periphery are mentioned “RHODE ISLAND”, “E.PLURIBUS UNUM” (meaning “One Among Many”) and the year of issue “2018”.

The Reverse has been designed by AIP designer Chris Costello and engraved by mint sculptor-engraver Phebe Hemphill, whose initials will appear on the actual coins. The scenic photo is by David Wilson.

The Obverses of all these coins will feature the 1932 portrait of George Washington designed by John Flanagan. Also seen on the Obverse are the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, “LIBERTY”, “IN GOD WE TRUST” and QUARTER DOLLAR. The Mint marks “P” (Philadelphia), “D” (Denver) and “S” (San Francisco) will also appear on this face depending on the mint which has minted these coins – uncirculated sets (P & D) and proof sets (S).

The specifications of each of the coins in this coin set are:

Composition: 8.33% nickel, balance copper.     


 Weight: 5.67 gms. 


Diameter: 24.30 mm or 0.955 inch. 
Edge: Reeded.







Links:

1) America the Beautiful Quarters - 2010 (the start of the Programme)

2) America the Beautiful Quarters - 2011

3) America the Beautiful Quarters - 2012

4) America the Beautiful Quarters - 2013

5) America the Beautiful Quarters - 2014

6) State Commemorative Quarters

7) America the Beautiful Quarters - 2015

8) America the Beautiful Quarters - 2016

9) America the Beautiful Quarters - 2017 

10) America The Beautiful Quarters - 2018

11) The Great Seal of the USA & prominent mottoes

12) Native American Dollar Coin Programme

13) American Eagle Gold Coins

14) American Buffalo Gold Coins

15) Susan Anthony Dollar

16) US Bicentennial Coins

17) Westward Journey Nickel Series

18) Commemorating 225 Years of US Marshals Serivce

19) Forever Stamps : US Civil War 1861-65

20
) The New US $100 Bill

21) The Strange Case of my becoming a US Citizen without even applying for it , thanks to the US Mint

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