Harpers Ferry National Historical Park of West Virginia will be commemorated in 2016 under the United States Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. As part of the quarter series, the U.S. Mint at San Francisco produces special proof quality versions for coin collectors. This short article presents photos of proof Harpers Ferry quarters and the dies used to make them.
We’re able to offer an early glimpse of next year’s quarters thanks to a recent visit to the San Francisco Mint. We went to see a new packaging system — we’ll talk about it later, but we were also thrilled to photograph and even make some 2016-dated proof coins.
When issued, the Harpers Ferry coin will mark the 33rd release from the America the Beautiful Quarter series and the third for 2016. Created by Thomas Hipschen and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, the winning design was selected from among eight candidates. It depicts John Brown Fort, the site of John Brown’s last stand during his raid on the Harper’s Ferry Armory. Inscriptions around the fort read HARPERS FERRY, WEST VIRGINIA, 2016, and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
As seen in these photos, the proof quality quarters showcase mirror-like fields and frosted devices. Collectors typically seek sets of proof coins owing to this finish and their enhanced level of detail.
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To strike the coins, the U.S. Mint uses special dies created through an intensive procedure that marries advanced technologies with the artistic talent of individuals who work at the San Francisco facility. Shown below are a few images of some of the dies used to strike the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park quarter. Notice that they have a negative design. That’s so they can impart a positive image when stamping a blank to become a coin.
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Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Quarter Ceremony Launch
The Harpers Ferry quarter launches into general circulation in June 2016. Here are time and location details for its official ceremonial release:
Date and Time: Wednesday, June 8, 2016, 10 a.m. (ET)
Location:
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Lower Town, Hamilton Street along the Shenandoah River
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
Generally, these launch ceremonies include a few short speeches from associated dignitaries. Following the ceremony, a coin exchange is offered where individuals can trade cash for rolls of the new quarter-dollar.
The first two America the Beautiful Quarters for 2016 commemorate Shawnee National Forest in Illinois and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in Kentucky. The last two celebrate Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota and Fort Moultrie at Fort Sumter National Monument in South Carolina. Here are:
- Shawnee quarter photos
- Cumberland Gap quarter photos
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park quarter photos
- Fort Moultrie quarter photos
This article was edited to include links to photos of the other 2016-dated quarters.