Fort Moultrie Quarter Launch Ceremony Highlights

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CoinNews.net
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United States Mint quarters celebrating Fort Moultrie at Fort Sumter National Monument in South Carolina were officially introduced to the public on Thursday, Nov. 17.

Fort Moultrie Quarter Pour
Superintendent Tim Stone, United States Mint Chief Counsel Jean Gentry, and Regional Deputy Director Sherri Fields participate in the ceremonial coin pour during the launch of the Fort Moultrie (Fort Sumter National Monument) quarter on Sullivan’s Island, SC, Nov. 17, 2016. The coin is the 35th release in the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. U.S. Mint photo by Debbie Dawson.

Around 1,000 people attended the launch ceremony, including some 300 local schoolchildren who received one of the new quarters for free.

Fort Moultrie Quarter Ceremony Attendies
A crowd of about 1,000 people witnesses the ceremonial launch. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

United States Mint Chief Counsel Jean Gentry hands out new quarters
United States Mint Chief Counsel Jean Gentry helps to distribute brand new quarters. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Students from Sullivan’s Island Elementary School hold quarter
Students from Sullivan’s Island Elementary School proudly hold their new quarter. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Highlights included a coin forum on the evening before the event with 67 collectors and local enthusiasts attending; a special firing of reproduction muskets during the ceremony by National Park Service staff in period attire; and entertainment before and after the ceremony by the Plantation Singers.

Piper Hamrick leads the Pledge of Allegiance
Fourth grade student Piper Hamrick leads the Pledge of Allegiance during the ceremonial launch of the quarter. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Live black powder musket fire
Live black powder musket fire celebrated the launch of the coin. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Plantation Singers at quarter ceremony
The Plantation Singers entertained the audience before and after the ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Then there was also, of course, a coin exchange after the ceremony where attendees swapped cash for about $24,000 in Philadelphia minted Fort Moultrie quarters.

Coin exchange at Fort Moultrie quarter launch ceremony
Attendees wait in line along the river to exchange their paper currency for rolls of new quarters. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.
Rolls of Fort Moultrie quarters
Rolls of Fort Moultrie quarters for the coin exchange. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Ceremonial dignitaries and speakers included Barclay Trimble of the National Park Service Southeast Regional Office; Timothy Stone, Superintendent of the Fort Sumter National Monument; Pat O’Neil, Mayor of Sullivan’s Island; Dan Head, Regional Director for U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham; Kathy Crawford, Regional Director for U.S. Senator Tim Scott; Bill Saunders, Regional Director for U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn; Laurie Turner, Regional Director for U.S. Representative Mark Sanford; and U.S. Mint Chief Counsel Jean Gentry.

"This new coin stands as a tribute to the bravery and self-sacrifice of those who believed our fledgling Nation deserved a fighting chance," Gentry said.

Those who missed the launch ceremony don’t have to wait to find the new coin in change. The U.S. Mint started selling Fort Moultrie quarters in rolls and bags on Monday, Nov. 14. Available options include quarters made at the San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia Mints at prices ranging from $18.95 to $46.95.

Sullivan’s Island Mayor Pat O’Neil
Sullivan’s Island Mayor Pat O’Neil welcomes the crowd at the ceremonial launch. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.
Jean Gentry, Chief Counsel, United States Mint, presents Fort Moultrie quarters
Jean Gentry, Chief Counsel, United States Mint, presents Fort Moultrie (Fort Sumter National Monument) quarters struck on the first day of production to Superintendent Tim Stone and National Park Service Regional Deputy Director Sherri Fields during the Nov 17, 2016 launch ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.
Fort Sumter
A view of Fort Sumter from the grounds of Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island, SC. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

The U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters® Program debuted in 2010 and will commemorate 56 national parks and other national sites through 2021. The Fort Moultrie quarter is the 35th released and the last of the five for 2016.

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Christopher Williams

I own all of the State Quarters and all of the America The Beautiful Quarters.

A very nice, but inexpensive collection to own.

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