2010 America the Beautiful Quarters
Starting in 2010, and lasting for 11 years, the United States Mint will launch a new series of coins as part of the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters™ Program.
This collection comes on the tail of the 2009 District of Columbia and U.S. Territories Quarters, which followed the successful 50 State Quarter program that ran from 1999-2008.
"These new quarters will honor some of our most revered, treasured and beautiful national sites - majestic and historic places located throughout the United States and its territories that truly make us 'America the Beautiful,'" United States Mint Director Ed Moy commented.
Released at a rate of five new quarter-dollars a year, each new issue will contain a modernized portrait of George Washington as originally designed by John Flanagan in 1932 for the obverse (heads side) of quarters.
The reverse (tails side), however, will feature a changing design emblematic of a national park or other national historic site in each state, the District of Columbia and the US Territories (Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).
The Secretary of the Treasury approved the final list of sites after a lengthy process that involved the US Mint as well as the governor or other chief executive of each jurisdiction and the Secretary of the Interior.
"Since our Nation's founding, our coins have celebrated American ideals such as liberty and justice, our rich history and heritage, and the great Presidents and other leaders who have guided us," Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar said. "I am pleased that these new quarters will now celebrate America the Beautiful, the spectacular natural wonders that are found in our national parks, wildlife refuges and public lands."
2010 Quarter Designs
As decreed by the America's Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008 which authorized the coins, designs will be issued in the order in which the chosen location was first established as a national site. The five selected national parks and sites to be honored in 2010 along with relevant information follows.
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas - Hot Springs was the first federally protected area in the United States. Created as a reservation area on April 20, 1832 it was designed to protect the 47 hot springs on the southwestern slope of Hot Springs Mountain.
The average 143 degree water has been used for therapeutic baths and many think drinking the water has rehabilitating effects. Private bathhouses are setup that purchase the water from the government and still allow those interested to bask in the liquid. (See 2010 Hot Springs Quarter.)
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming - Designated a national park on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone is located primarily in Wyoming, with some area in Montana and Idaho. Known for its many geothermal features, Yellowstone encompasses an area of almost 3,500 square miles.
Probably the single most visited location is that of the 'Old Faithful Geyser' which erupts on average no more than 90 minutes after the last eruption ended. Yellowstone is also known for its breathtaking scenery and its free roaming wildlife. (See 2010 Yellowstone Quarter.)
Yosemite National Park, California - Yosemite was officially created as a national park on October 1, 1890, but the land had been set aside for preservation and public use by President Abraham Lincoln in 1864.
The park consists of almost 1,200 square miles, but most of the estimated 3.5 million annual visitors only visit the seven square mile Yosemite Valley. The area is probably best known for its beautiful waterfalls, but also hosts diverse animal life, deep valleys, ancient giant sequoias and much more. (See 2010 Yosemite Quarter.)
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona - Known as one of the natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon was placed under federal protection in 1893. It officially became a national park on February 26, 1919.
Covering over 1,900 square miles, the canyon itself reaches up to one mile deep and up to 18 miles wide. Most visitors go to the south rim of the canyon to take in its breathtaking beauty while some adventurous people hike down to the bottom. (See 2010 Grand Canyon Quarter.)
Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon - Located 20 miles east of Portland, Oregon, Mount Hood National Forest is over 1 million acres in size. The area was originally set aside as part of Cascade Range Forest Reserve in 1893. An estimated 4 million visitors make the area the most visited national forest in the country. Activities include camping, hiking, boating, fishing, hunting, rafting, horse-back riding, skiing, etc. (See 2010 Mount Hood Quarter.)
As a related side note, America's Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008 also mandates silver coins to be minted that are essential replicas of the quarters. These coins will be composed from .999 fine silver -- 5 ounces worth -- and have an incredible 3 inch diameter. The is nearly double the size of today's American Silver Eagles coins.
The US Mint announced the name of the series on the same day as the quarters program. The Mint is calling it the United States Mint America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coin™ Program.
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 2010 S 25C America The Beautiful Mount Hood Proof Silver Quarter NGC PF 70 UC $26.95 Time Remaining: 2h 55m Buy It Now for only: $26.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 2010 S 25C America The Beautiful Grand Canyon Proof Silver Quarter NGC PF 70 UC $26.95 Time Remaining: 2h 55m Buy It Now for only: $26.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 2010 S 25C America The Beautiful Hot Springs Proof Silver Quarter NGC PF 70 UC $26.95 Time Remaining: 2h 55m Buy It Now for only: $26.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 2010 S 25C America The Beautiful Yellowstone Proof Silver Quarter NGC PF 70 UC $26.95 Time Remaining: 2h 55m Buy It Now for only: $26.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 2010 S 25C America The Beautiful Yosemite Proof Silver Quarter NGC PF 70 UC $26.95 Time Remaining: 2h 55m Buy It Now for only: $26.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 2010 5oz Mount Hood America the Beautiful Silver Bullion MS 67 NGC Graded $235.00 Time Remaining: 3h 43m Buy It Now for only: $235.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 2010 Uncirculated America The Beautiful National Parks Quarter Set in Gift Box $12.95 Time Remaining: 4h 51m Bid now | Add to watch list |
 2010 America the Beautiful MS69 NGC Early Release Set $1,750.00 Time Remaining: 5h 38m Buy It Now for only: $1,750.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
 2010 2011 2012 P+D+S+S America the Beautiful National Parks Proofs in Flips $315.95 Time Remaining: 5h 41m Buy It Now for only: $315.95 Buy It Now | Add to watch list |
For those that are interested, the US Mint is offering a subscription program for the coins with options such as a two-roll sets, 100 coin bags, 1,000 coin bags and the proof sets. Enrollment in the program will reserve the selected coin option as they become available each year.
America the Beautiful Quarters Specifications
Mintmark: D, P, S
Finish/Condition: Circulated, Uncirculated Proof
Composition: Circulated: Cupro-Nickel Clad (8.33% Nickel, Balance Cu)
Weight: 5.670 g
Diameter: 24.26 mm or 0.955 inches
Thickness: 1.75 mm
Edge: reeded (119 reeds)
Date of Issue: 2010-2021
America the Beautiful Quarters Resources
- United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters™ Program
- US Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program Announced
- America the Beautiful Quarters Introduced
- America the Beautiful Quarters Release Schedule
- America the Beautiful Quarters News Mania
- America the Beautiful Silver Coins
- America the Beautiful Quarters
