On Tuesday, September 4, 2012, the United States Mint began selling the 2012 Hawai’i Volcanoes Quarter Three-Coin Set for $9.95.
Today’s issue is the fourth in 2012 and honors the park on the big island of Hawaii. Earlier three-coin sets honored El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico, Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico, and Acadia National Park in Maine.
Overall, it is the 14th release in the America Beautiful Quarters Three-Coin Set™ series and features three collector versions of the new Hawai’i Volcanoes quarters. They include:
- a proof 2012-S Hawai’i Volcanoes Quarter from the United States Mint at San Francisco
- an uncirculated 2012-P Hawai’i Volcanoes Quarter from the United States Mint at Philadelphia, and
- an uncirculated 2012-D Hawai’i Volcanoes Quarter from the United States Mint at Denver
As seen in the above U.S. Mint image of the three-coin set, a durable plastic card holds the coins and contains a brief description of the park and the quarter’s design. On the back of the card is the Certificate of Authenticity.
Order Information
All fourteen America Beautiful Quarters Three-Coin Sets remain available. The U.S. Mint accepts orders via the bureau’s online catalog on this U.S. Mint product page, and at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
Quarter Design
On the reverse of the quarter, a dramatic image by Charles L. Vickers depicts a powerful eruption on the east rift of Kilauea Volcano — one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Inscriptions surrounding the artwork read HAWAI’I VOLCANOES, HAWAII, 2012 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
A common obverse on all America the Beautiful Quarters presents the 1932 portrait of George Washington by John Flanagan. It was digitally restored in 2010 to bring out the subtle details and beauty of the original model. Obverse inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and QUARTER DOLLAR.
Hawai’i Quarter Release and Ceremony
Hawai’i Volcanoes Quarters went public on August 27, 2012. The Federal Reserve Bank released circulation quality quarters into commerce through its distribution channels, and the United States Mint began selling them in bags and rolls.
On August 29, 2012, the U.S. Mint and National Park Service held an official quarter launch ceremony. Special guests included U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye, U.S. Mint Denver Plant Manager David Croft and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando.
About America the Beautiful Quarters
America the Beautiful Quarters debuted in 2010. Each year there will be five new designs on the reverse of the quarter, highlighting a single national park or site until every state, territory, and the District of Columbia is represented. The final and 56th design arrives in 2021.
The order in which the designs appear corresponds to the order in which the selected site was first established as a national site. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park celebrated its 96th anniversary on August 1, 2012.