With this year drawing nearer to a close, interest in 2015 coin releases becomes more apparent. That is especially true for year-specific issues such as the 2015 America the Beautiful Quarters which honor national sites in Nebraska, Louisiana, North Carolina, Delaware and New York.
To help familiarize everyone with the new quarters, high-resolution images are now available. The scheduled circulation release dates for the coins are also known. Both are offered further below.
But first, a primer for those who have not followed the series… The America the Beautiful Quarters® Program debuted in 2010 and features five releases annually. Each honor a different site of national interest with one selected from each state, the District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories. In addition to the quarters themselves, the same imagery is found annually on two associated U.S. Mint programs including the three-inch America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Bullion Coins and companion America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coins.
2015 America the Beautiful Quarter Release Dates
When a specific quarter is released into circulation via the Federal Reserve Bank system, rolls and bags of the coins also typically become available from the United States Mint. A corresponding official launch ceremony is also held near or in the honored site.
Circulation release dates for the 2015 America the Beautiful Quarters are scheduled as follows:
| Honored National Site | State | Release Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Homestead National Monument of America | Nebraska | Feb. 9, 2015 |
| Kisatchie National Forest | Louisiana | Apr. 13, 2015 |
| Blue Ridge Parkway | North Carolina | June 8, 2015* |
| Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge | Delaware | Sep. 14, 2015 |
| Saratoga National Historical Park | New York | Nov. 16, 2015 |
*Effective April 29, 2015, the Blue Ridge Parkway quarter release date has been changed from June 22, 2015 to June 8, 2015.
2015 America the Beautiful Quarter Images
Following a design selection process which involved multiple artists, officials of the sites and host jurisdictions, U.S. Mint personnel and review by two independent bodies, a final design for each honored site is selected by the Secretary of the Treasury. These designs were unveiled through line-art imagery earlier this year. Now, however, we have high-resolution images of actual 2015 America the Beautiful Quarters in uncirculated quality. They are shown below along with a brief description of each design.
Homestead National Monument of America Quarters
U.S. Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) artist Ronald D. Sanders designed the reverse of the Homestead National Monument of America Quarter to represent three survival fundamentals common to homesteaders: food, shelter, and water. The image depicts corn stalks, a log home, and outdoor water pump along with the inscriptions of HOMESTEAD, NEBRASKA, 2015, and E PLURIBUS UNUM. U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz was in charge of sculpting.
Designer: Ronald D. Sanders
Sculptor: Jim Licaretz
Release Date: Feb. 9, 2015
Kisatchie National Forest Quarters
A wild turkey flying over blue stem grass is seen on the reverse of the Kisatchie National Forest Quarter. The image by AIP artist Susan Gamble also includes long leaf pine trees in the background. KISATCHIE, LOUISIANA, 2015, and E PLURIBUS UNUM inscriptions complete the design which was sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.
Designer: Susan Gamble
Sculptor: Joseph Menna
Release Date: Apr. 13, 2015
Blue Ridge Parkway Quarters
The Blue Ridge Parkway Quarter offers a reverse design depicting a curved road hugging the side of a mountain as it enters a tunnel. North Carolina’s state flower (Cornus florida) can be seen in the foreground. Inscriptions include BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY, NORTH CAROLINA, 2015, and E PLURIBUS UNUM. The image was designed by AIP artist Frank Morris with sculpting by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.
Designer: Frank Morris
Sculptor: Joseph Menna
Release Date: June 22, 2015
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge Quarters
A great blue heron is seen in the foreground of the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge Quarter with a great egret in the background. Both are set against the Refuge’s tidal salt marsh. BOMBAY HOOK, DELAWARE, 2015, and E PLURIBUS UNUM are offered as the reverse inscriptions. AIP artist Joel Iskowitz designed the reverse with U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill sculpting.
Designer: Joel Iskowitz
Sculptor: Phebe Hemphill
Release Date: Sep. 14, 2015
Saratoga National Historical Park Quarters
A surrendering of British General John Burgoyne’s sword to American General Horatio Gates is shown on the Saratoga National Historical Park Quarter. The pivotal moment of the American Revolutionary War includes the inscription of BRITISH SURRENDER 1777 and is surrounded by additional inscriptions of SARATOGA, NEW YORK, 2015, and E PLURIBUS UNUM. The image was designed by AIP artist Barbara Fox with U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Renata Gordon sculpting.
Designer: Barbara Fox
Sculptor: Renata Gordon
Release Date: Nov. 16, 2015
To keep apprised of past and current releases, visit this site’s section of news about America the Beautiful Quarters.