The Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) have recommended designs for 2018-dated America the Beautiful Quarters and companion five-ounce silver coins.
America the Beautiful Quarters celebrate sites around the United States and its territories. The five up for honors in 2018 are:
- Michigan’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore,
- Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands National Lakeshore,
- Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park,
- Georgia’s Cumberland Island National Seashore, and
- Rhode Island’s Block Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Overall, fifty-two designs were submitted for review. The CFA appraised them on June 16 and recommended five — one for each site honored. The CCAC looked them over on June 27 and selected four designs, asking for another round of candidates for Apostle Islands.
To follow are images and descriptions of candidates for the five sites. CFA and CCAC recommendations are provided under the site titles.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Michigan)
Thirteen designs for Pictured Rocks were reviewed.
CCAC Recommendations: Members selected design #12.
CFA Recommendations: Members selected design #8, which is also the preferred design of site officials.
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MI-01 depicts two people in sea kayaks exploring the waterways of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
MI-02 features a man in a sea kayak paddling near Miners Castle.
MI-03 depicts a stylized Chapel Rock and the white pine that stands upon it being battered by waves during a storm.
MI-04 features a kayaker appreciating the beautiful mineral streaks that line the cliffs of Pictured Rocks.
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MI-05 and MI-06 depict views of Pictured Rocks.
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MI-07 depicts a robin, the state bird of Michigan, on a birch tree branch with the cliff walls in the background.
MI-08 depicts Chapel Rock and the white pine tree that grows atop. This design was selected by the CFA and site officials.
MI-09 depicts a kayaker paddling towards Lover’s Leap.
MI-10 features a deer with the cliffs in the background.
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MI-11 depicts the point of view of a kayaker pausing to take in the sight of Lover’s Leap.
MI-12 depicts Chapel Rock with the white pine growing atop. This design was selected by the CCAC.
MI-13 features a view of the cliffs at Pictured Rocks.
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (Wisconsin)
Nine designs for Apostle Islands were reviewed.
CCAC Recommendations: Reverse #16 received the most votes individually, but there was confusion over voting for similar designs #4 and #4A. In the end, members passed a motion asking for a second series of designs to review.
CFA Recommendations: Members selected design #9. It is also the preferred design of site officials.
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WI-01 depicts two kayakers paddling towards the rock formations at Devils Island.
WI-02 features a kayaker gazing in wonder at the setting, with rock formations and a lighthouse behind him.
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WI-04 and WI-04A feature a sea arch topped with a variety of trees growing atop. In design 04, a pair of kayakers paddles towards the arch.
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WI-05 and WI-05A feature a view into a crevasse in the sea caves. In design 05, a pair of kayakers begins to paddle towards the opening.
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WI-09 and WI-10 depict the sea caves at Devils Island with the lighthouse in the background. In design 09, a kayaker paddles by. This design was selected by the CFA and site officials. Design 10 features the added inscription "Jewels of Lake Superior."
WI-11 features a kayaker passing through a sandstone arch at Devils Island.
Voyageurs National Park (Minnesota)
Five designs for Voyageurs were reviewed.
CFA and CCAC Recommendations: Members from both panels selected design #6, while park officials preferred #5.
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MN-01 depicts a campfire in a fire ring in front of a lake, with small islands in the distance and the Northern Lights visible in the sky.
MN-03 features an eagle soaring above the interlocking network of lakes in Voyageurs National Park. In its talons, it clutches a walleye, the state fish of Minnesota.
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MN-04 depicts an aerial view of Voyageurs National Park.
MN-05 features a view of a few of the small islands found in the waters of Voyageurs National Park. Park officials preferred this design.
MN-06 depicts a common loon with a rock cliff in the background. The CFA and CCAC selected this design.
Cumberland Island National Seashore (Georgia)
Thirteen designs for Cumberland Island were reviewed. Site officials liked design #1 the best.
CCAC Recommendations: Members selected design #3, the third preferred design of site officials.
CFA Recommendations: Members selected design #6, the second preferred design of site officials.
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GA-01 features an adult and young child walking through the Live Oak trees of Cumberland Island. Site officials preferred this design.
GA-02 depicts sea oats holding the wind-shaped dunes while gulls fly overhead.
GA-03 depicts a loggerhead sea turtle swimming along the undeveloped beach of Cumberland Island. The CCAC selected this design.
GA-04 features two brown pelicans on the beach of the island.
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GA-05 depicts a blue heron capturing a fish in the marsh waters along the western edge of the island.
GA-06 depicts a snowy egret posing on a branch on the edge of a salt marsh, ready for flight. The CFA selected this design.
GA-08 depicts a loggerhead sea turtle nesting on Cumberland Island.
GA-09 features a quiet moment as a visitor enjoys the wind, surf, and abundant wildlife of Cumberland Island.
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GA-10 features a couple watching the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean, the beginning of their day of shell hunting and exploration on Cumberland Island.
GA-11 depicts a close-up view of the Dungeness ruins.
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GA-12 features a photographer exploring the twisted branches of live oak trees and sand dunes that line the boardwalk path to the beach.
GA-13 depicts a woman walking along the beach in the gentle wind while a sea turtle nests in the sand.
GA-14 features a photographer exploring the flora and fauna surrounding the ruins of the Dungeness mansion.
Block Island National Wildlife Refuge (Rhode Island)
Twelve designs for Block Island were reviewed.
CCAC Recommendations: Members selected design #10, the third preferred design of refuge officials.
CFA Recommendations: Members selected design #2, which is also the design liked best by refuge officials.
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RI-01 features a pair of piping plovers flying near the nesting areas on Block Island. Footprints form a path towards the North Light lighthouse.
RI-02 depicts a black-crowned night-heron flying over a view from the beach at Cow Cove looking towards Sandy Point. The North Light lighthouse is seen in the background. This design was preferred by the CFA and refuge officials.
RI-03 features a mother piping plover with four of her chicks.
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RI-04, RI-04A, and RI-05 feature two piping plovers flying over the North Light lighthouse.
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RI-06 and RI-07 feature a mother piping plover with her young on the shore in front of North Light. In design 07, two American oystercatchers fly overhead.
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RI-08 depicts a pair of common yellowthroat warblers over the rolling landscape with the North Light lighthouse in the background.
RI-09 and RI-10 feature piping plovers on the rocky beach in front of the North Light lighthouse. Design #10 was selected by the CCAC.
RI-11 depicts a piping plover being banded as part of conservation efforts to study migratory bird patterns.
The Treasury Secretary is responsible for selecting final designs after receiving recommendations from the CFA, CCAC, U.S. Mint and national site liaisons.
For information about past releases, visit our news section on quarters.