On Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, the United States Mint and the National Park Service officially introduced Homestead National Monument of America Quarters to a large crowd of around 2,500 people.
Tuesday’s event took place at Beatrice High School, which is a few miles from the national monument in Nebraska that is depicted on the coin’s reverse.
"This new quarter stands now as a tribute to the strength and the tenacity of the settlers who braved harsh conditions to build the American West," said David Croft, U.S. Mint Associate Director of Manufacturing.
Croft and other representatives later handed out free Homestead quarters to about 1,800 schoolchildren who attended the ceremony.
Special guests at the launch event included Nebraska Lt. Gov. Mike Foley, National Park Service Acting Regional Director (Midwest Region) Patty Trap, Homestead National Monument of America Superintendent Mark Engler, and city of Beatrice Mayor Stan Wirth.
Following the ceremony, attendees swapped cash for $10 rolls of the new coin. The Mint noted that $25,000 in quarters were exchanged.
Homestead Coin Designs & Upcoming Quarters
Designed by Ronald D. Sanders and sculpted by Jim Licaretz, the quarter represents the three fundamentals of survival common to all homesteaders: food, shelter, and water.
On Feb. 24, the U.S. Mint will offer the quarters to the public in single rolls, 2-roll sets, 3-roll sets and 100-coin bags at prices ranging from $18.95 to $34.95. Buyers will have the option of selecting quarters that are produced at the U.S. Mint facilities in Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco.
This coin is the first of five quarters in 2015 and the 26th overall from the United States Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. The series features national park and national site designs. It kicked off in 2010 and will last until at least 2021. Other 2015-dated quarters include those commemorating Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana, Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware, and Saratoga National Historical Park in New York.
All America the Beautiful Quarters bear a common obverse portrait of President George Washington. The effigy was designed by John Flanagan and initially appeared on quarters starting in 1932.
Coin Forum Draws 116 Coin Collectors
A U.S. Mint-hosted coin forum was held the night before the Homestead quarter ceremony. These forums offer opportunities to express views and ask questions about existing, new and upcoming United States Mint products.
Tuesday’s coin forum drew 116 coin collectors, according to the Mint. Musical entertainment was provided and refreshments included cookies with the coin image hand drawn in icing — compliments of the local Friends Group. In addition, the Education Center featured many Homestead quarter displays, made up of framed images of the candidate designs reviewed by the advisory committees and a wood carving of the chosen design.
Area coin club members were on hand, including Mitch Ernst, President of the Nebraska Numismatic Association. The topics discussed included:
- the Homestead quarter’s design selection process;
- Homestead artist involvement/site visit for resource material;
- top selling Mint products;
- how to get America the Beautiful Quarters®;
- why the release date for rolls of the Homestead quarter is several weeks away;
- new product inquiries, including questions about reverse proof products and potential offerings at the upcoming American Numismatic Association summer show;
- and the commemorative coin program.
Ceremony photos are by Sharon MckPike of the United States Mint.
one of most beauty design !!!