American Memorial Park Quarter Launch Ceremony Highlights

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On Tuesday, April 30, quarters celebrating American Memorial Park in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) were officially introduced to the public.

American Memorial Park Quarter Ceremony Pour
United States Mint Director David Ryder, American Memorial Park Superintendent Barbara Alberti, Lieutenant Governor Arnold Palacios, and Governor Ralph Torres, participate in the ceremonial coin pour during the launch of the American Memorial Park quarter in Garapan, Saipan, April 30, 2019. The coin is the 47th release in the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

A crowd of about 1,200 people, including 1,000 schoolchildren, attended the launch ceremony hosted by officials from the National Park Service and the United States Mint. Kids aged 18 and under received a free American Memorial Park quarter to commemorate the event.

American Memorial Park Quarter Ceremony Crowd
A crowd of 1,200 people attended the ceremonial launch. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Free American Memorial Park Quarters for Kids
United States Mint Director David Ryder, Governor Ralph Torres, and American Memorial Park Superintendent Barbara Alberti, pass out new American Memorial Park quarters to children attending the launch ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Depicted on the quarter’s reverse (tails side) is a scene emblematic of the memorial park — a young woman in traditional attire at the front of the Flag Circle and Court of Honor.

 "The American liberation of the Northern Mariana Islands hastened the end of the war, but came at a price of thousands of casualties," remarked U.S. Mint Director David J. Ryder. "May this quarter stand as a tribute to the memories this park preserves."

Ryder shared the stage with CNMI Governor Ralph Torres, Lieutenant Governor Arnold Palacios, and park superintendent Barbara Alberti.

First day production American Memorial Park Quarter presentation
U.S. Mint Director David J. Ryder (right), presents American Memorial Park quarters struck on the first day of production to Northern Mariana Islands Lieutenant Governor Arnold Palacios and Governor Ralph Anthony Deleon Guerrero Torres. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

First day production American Memorial Park Quarter presentation,1
United States Mint Director David Ryder presents American Memorial Park quarters struck on the first day of production to American Memorial Park Superintendent Barbara Alberti. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Other ceremony highlights included the Saipan Southern High School JROTC Battalion Honor Guard, Gus Kaipat singing the National Anthem, and Carolinian and Chamarro performances.

Saipan Southern High School JROTC Battalion Honor Guard
The Saipan Southern High School JROTC Battalion Honor Guard present the colors during the American Memorial Park quarter launch. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Gus Kaipat
Gus Kaipat sings the National Anthem and CNMI Anthem during the quarter launch. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Carolinian and Chamarro performance
Attendees of the ceremony were treated to pre-event Carolinian and Chamarro performances. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Many of those who attended the launch ceremony took part in the traditional coin exchange with about $9,000 in D-mint mark American Memorial Park quarters swapped for cash.

American Memorial Park Quarter Exchange
Rolls of American Memorial Park quarters are exchanged following the launch ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Another highlight for 26 collectors and local enthusiasts was a coin forum held on the evening before the launch ceremony where attendees listened to and asked questions of U.S. Mint officials.

Rolls of American Memorial Park Quarters
Rolls of American Memorial Park quarters. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

American Memorial Park quarters started entering circulation on April 1. The U.S. Mint on the same day released them in rolls and bags for collectors. Available products include quarters produced at the Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco Mints at prices ranging from $18.95 to $46.95.

The U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters® Program debuted in 2010 and will honor 56 national parks and other sites through 2021. The American Memorial Park quarter is the 47th released and the second of the five unique 25-cent designs for 2019.

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