New 11-Year Series of Quarters Proposed for National Parks and Sites

If you enjoy changing quarter designs, you may be happy for many more years. Legislation was introduced in the House Wednesday calling for a new 11-year series of circulating quarters starting in 2010.

The quarters are to be "emblematic of a national park or other national site in each State, the District of Columbia, and each territory of the United States."

With the popular 50 States Quarter® Program ending this year and the new six quarter D.C. and U.S. Territories Quarter Program beginning and ending next year, the obverse or heads of the quarter-dollar coin was to revert to its original design of 1998. Now, an entire generation may go by before that happens.

Yet, new reverse quarter designs featuring national parks and sites would result in unique and potentially very attractive coins.

The bill, H.R. 6184, was introduced by Rep. Michael Castle [R-DE], Rep. Luis Gutierrez [D-IL], and Carolyn Maloney [D-NY] and is entitled America’s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008.

It’s in the early phase of introduction, but surprisingly well outlined. Several key legislative statements would require:

• The quarter dollars series to begin in 2010

• Reverse designs emblematic of 1 national site in each State, D.C. and U.S. Territory

• Quarters issued in the order in which sites were first established as a national site.

• An issue rate of 5 new designs each year

The U.S. Mint would also have authorization to issue uncirculated, proof and silver versions of each quarter.

Interestingly, there’s a clause that could extend the series further.

" SECOND ROUND AT DISCRETION OF SECRETARY- (i) DETERMINATION- The Secretary may make a determination before the end of the 9-year period beginning when the first quarter dollar is issued under this subsection to continue the period of issuance until a second national site in each State, the District of Columbia, and each territory referred to in this subsection has been honored with a design on a quarter dollar.

For H.R. 6184 to become law, it must pass the House, Senate and Presidential signature.