Mark your calendars. Everglades National Park Quarters launch into circulation and will become available in U.S. Mint rolls and bags on Nov. 3, 2014.
One month later, on Dec. 4, representatives from the National Park Service and the United States Mint will officially introduce the quarter for Florida in a release ceremony. Two events will surround the ceremony, a U.S. Mint-hosted coin forum and a coin exchange. All three events are free and open to the public.
Everglades National Park Quarters are the last of the five for 2014 and the 25th overall America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. Designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Joseph Menna, the coin features a scene emblematic of the park — an anhinga with outstretched wings on a willow tree in the foreground with a roseate spoonbill behind it.
Details of the ceremony, coin exchange and coin forum were released by the United States Mint this week. They follow.
Everglades National Park Quarter Ceremony – Time and Location
Lasting about 30 to 40 minutes, quarter ceremonies are unique events for children and enthusiasts who like to get a first glance at new coins. Official dignitaries from the national park, United States Mint and the state of Florida will provide some historical background in short speeches and then unveil the quarter. The ceremony location details include:
Date: December 4, 2014
Time: 10:00 a.m. ET
Location:
Harris Field Park
Sally Wood Barn Pavilion
1034 NE 8th St.
Homestead, FL 33030
The following map shows the location of Harris Field Park:
Coin Exchange
A favorite for collectors, the coin exchange kicks off right after the quarter ceremony. It offers a venue to swap cash for $10 rolls of the new quarters.
Community Bank of Florida will provide stations where anyone can exchange cash for rolls of the coins. Typically, there is a one-roll ($10) minimum and a 10-roll ($100) maximum.
Coin Forum Evening Prior to Quarter Ceremony
A U.S. Mint-hosted coin forum is scheduled for the evening before the quarter ceremony. Coin forums offer opportunities to express views and ask questions about existing, new and upcoming U.S. Mint products. They usually last around an hour. Here are the coin forum time and location details:
Date: December 3, 2014
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Location:
Ernest Coe Visitor Center
40001 State Road 9336
Homestead, FL 33034
The following map shows the location of Ernest Coe Visitor Center:
2014 Quarters
The America the Beautiful Quarter® Program consists of five quarter designs each year. This year the series began with the Tennessee quarter honoring Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Second was the Virginia quarter for Shenandoah National Park. Third was the Utah quarter for Arches National Park, and the fourth was the Colorado quarter for Great Sand Dunes National Park.
The U.S. Mint continues to sell these newer quarters in 40-coin rolls, 2-roll sets, 3-roll sets and in 100-coin bags. They may be ordered online at catalog.usmint.gov.