Next week, the United States Mint and the National Park Service will introduce the quarter dollar celebrating Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. This year’s second quarter launch ceremony takes place by the national site on Wednesday, April 11.
There are two related events supporting the official release. First there is a U.S. Mint-hosted coin forum held on the night before the ceremony, and then there is the traditional coin exchange right after the launch. Both are free and open to the public.
Apostle Islands quarters begin their journey into general circulation on Monday, April 9, but it can take months, sometimes years, before they appear regularly in change, since Federal Reserve Banks distribute coins to financial institutions without regard to the coin designs. The quarter ceremony provides an early opportunity to get this second of five 2018-dated quarters. The U.S. Mint offers another by selling them in rolls and bags.
Apostle Islands Quarter Launch Ceremony – Time and Location
Quarter ceremonies are unique events for locals, coin collectors, and children. They usually last about 30 minutes, as local entertainers perform and officials from the U.S. Mint and National Park Service provide background information about the quarter and site. Expected dignitaries at the event include:
- Rick Peterson, Tribal Chairman, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
- Mike Wiggins, Tribal Chairman, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
- Henry Buffalo, Elder, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Descendant of Chief Buffalo)
- Bob Krumenaker, Superintendent, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
- Marc Landry, Acting Associate Director, Numismatic and Bullion Directorate, United States Mint
- Larry MacDonald, former Mayor of Bayfield, Wisconsin
Richard Masters, designer of the Apostle Islands quarter, will also attend.
Children age 18 and younger will receive one free new quarter to commemorate the event.
The quarter ceremony’s location details follow:
Date: Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Time: 10 a.m. (CDT)
Location:
Legendary Waters Resort (space is limited)
37600 Onigamiing Drive
Red Cliff, WI 54814
The following map shows the site’s location:
Coin Exchange
The coin exchange begins immediately after the ceremony. Anyone attending the ceremony can stand in line to trade cash for $10 rolls of the new quarters. There is a one-roll ($10) minimum and a 10-roll ($100) maximum.
Coin Forum Evening Prior to Quarter Ceremony
A coin collector forum hosted by the United States Mint will take place on the evening before the ceremony. This forum gives people a chance to learn more about the U.S. Mint and to ask questions about its products. Coin forums tend to last about an hour.
Here are the coin forum’s time and location details:
Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location:
Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center
29270 Co Hwy G
Ashland, WI 54806
The following map shows the location of the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center:
U.S. Mint-Branded Rolls and Bags of Quarters
On Monday, April 9, starting at noon ET, the U.S. Mint will begin selling Apostle Islands quarters to the public. Product options include 40-coin rolls, 2-roll sets, 3-roll sets, and 100-coin bags at prices ranging from $18.95 to $46.95. They will be available for order online at catalog.usmint.gov. These product releases will also be covered here on CoinNews.
2018 Quarters and Collector Products
The U.S. Mint’s series of America the Beautiful Quarters® debuted in 2010 and will last until 2021. Every year five unique designs appear and feature a national park or other national site within the United States or its territories.
Michigan’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore quarter launched earlier this year. The three later 2018 quarters honor Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota, Cumberland Island National Seashore in Georgia, and Block Island National Wildlife Refuge in Rhode Island.
Earlier this year, on Jan. 23, the U.S. Mint released collector proof versions of all five 2018 quarters for $15.95. These coins exhibit frosted designs and mirror-like backgrounds. Proof editions in silver launched on Feb. 22 for $33.95. More recently, on March 29, the U.S. Mint issued an uncirculated set of 2018 quarters for $12.95.
As always, stay tuned to CoinNews for information about these and other coin releases.