Apostle Islands Quarter Launch Ceremony Highlights

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Last week on Wednesday, April 11, quarters honoring Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin were formerly introduced to the public.

Marc Landry and Bob Krumenaker - Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Quarter Ceremony
Marc Landry, Acting Deputy Director for Numismatic and Bullion Directorate at the U.S. Mint, presents Apostle Islands National Lakeshore quarters struck on the first day of production to Bob Krumenaker, the park’s Superintendent, during the April 11, 2018 launch ceremony in Red Cliff, Wisconsin. The coin is the 42nd release in the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Six hundred and fifty people attended the launch ceremony hosted by officials from the United States Mint and National Park Service. Around 250 schoolchildren from five area schools received an Apostle Islands quarter for free.

Attendees of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Quarter Ceremony
Standing room only for the ceremonial launch of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore quarter in Red Cliff, Wisconsin. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Children Receiving Free Apostle Islands Quarter
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Superintendent Bob Krumenaker hands out new quarters to children attending the launch. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Attendee at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Quarter Ceremony
An attendee of the quarter launch ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Tracy Scelzo Chavez.

As seen in the above photo, the coin’s reverse (tails side) depicts one of the park’s major points of interest, the sea caves of Devils Island with its lighthouse and a kayaker.

"Just as the guiding light beacons from the Devils Island lighthouse — as it has done for decades — the Apostle Islands Quarter will serve as a shining example of the inherent value of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, and the people who protect it and frequent it … shedding light on its splendor, beauty and purpose, for future generations to follow," said Marc Landry, Acting Associate Director of the Mint’s Numismatic and Bullion Directorate.

Landry shared the stage with a host of speakers including Rick Peterson, Tribal Chairman of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; Mike Wiggins, Tribal Chairman of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; Henry Buffalo, Elder of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and descendant of Chief Buffalo; and Bob Krumenaker, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore superintendent. Former Bayfield mayor Larry MacDonald served as master of ceremonies.

Red Cliff Tribal Chairman Rick Peterson
Red Cliff Tribal Chairman Rick Peterson speaks during the ceremonial launch. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Henry Buffalo, Red Cliff Elder
Henry Buffalo, Red Cliff Elder and descendant of Chief Buffalo, speaks during the official quarter launch ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Bob Krumenaker, Tribal Elders, and Mint Marc Landry
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Superintendent Bob Krumenaker, Tribal Elders, and Acting Deputy Director for Numismatic and Bullion Directorate at the U.S. Mint Marc Landry participate in the ceremonial coin pour during. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Larry MacDonald
Larry MacDonald served as Master of Ceremonies during the launch ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Tracy Scelzo Chavez.

Others ceremony highlights included performances by the Bayfield High School Choir, Red Cliff Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wiigwamm Express, Red Cliff Youth Drum Group, the Washburn High School Jazz Band, and an appearance by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program designer Richard Masters, who designed the quarter’s reverse.

Bayfield High School Choir
The Bayfield High School Choir sings the National Anthem during the Apostle Islands quarter launch ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Red Cliff VFW presents the colors
The Red Cliff VFW presents the colors during the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore quarter ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Tracy Scelzo Chavez.

Wiigwaam Express and the Red Cliff Youth Drum Group
Members of the Wiigwaam Express and the Red Cliff Youth Drum Group perform during the quarter launch. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Washburn High School Jazz Band
The Washburn High School Jazz Band entertains the audience before the April 11, 2018, ceremony to launch the Apostle Islands quarter. U.S. Mint photo by Tracy Scelzo Chavez.

Richard Masters - Apostle Islands quarter ceremony
Artist Richard Masters stands to be recognized for his design of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore quarter. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

After the quarter ceremony, many attendees took part in the traditional coin exchange. About $26,000 in P-mint mark quarters were swapped for cash.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Quarter Rolls from Coin Exchange
An event attendee poses with his rolls of Apostle Islands quarters. U.S. Mint photo by Tracy Scelzo Chavez.

Another highlight for 80 collectors and local enthusiasts was a coin forum held on the evening before the launch ceremony where attendees listened to and asked questions of U.S. Mint officials.

Apostle Islands quarters started entering circulation on Monday, April 9. On the same day, the U.S. Mint released them in rolls and bag products. Available options include quarters struck at the Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco Mints at prices ranging from $18.95 to $46.95.

The U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters® Program launched in 2010 and will celebrate 56 national parks and other sites through 2021. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore quarter is the 42nd released since 2010 and the second of the five unique 25-cent designs for 2018.

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Millhouse

As a school teacher, I always appreciate the quarter launches where one can go and exchange their coins for shiny new quarters to add to their collections. I love seeing the pictures of children getting their hands on these new numismatic treasures. The children are the lifeblood of our hobby. Let’s keep it going!!!

Joe Brown

HEY!!! TEACHER!!! LEAVE THOSE KIDS ALONE! *Seaing my last blog here, vanished!