War in the Pacific Park Quarter Launch Ceremony Highlights

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Last Friday, May 3, quarters honoring War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Guam were officially introduced to the public.

War in the Pacific Park Quarter Pour
United States Mint Director David Ryder, Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero and War in the Pacific National Historical Park Superintendent Barbara Alberti, participate in the ceremonial coin pour during the launch of the War in the Pacific National Historical Park quarter in Asan, Guam, on May 3, 2019. The coin is the 48th release in the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Around 700 people, including some 350 children, 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 War in the Pacific Park quarter to commemorate the event.

David Ryder passes out new War in the Pacific National Historical Park quarters
United States Mint Director David Ryder passes out new War in the Pacific National Historical Park quarters to children attending the launch ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Free War in the Pacific Park Quarters for Kids
Students from the Jose Rios Middle School Cultural Club Guma Kinalamten I Taotao proudly hold their new War in the Pacific National Historical Park quarter. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

The quarter’s reverse (tails side) depicts American forces coming ashore at Asan Bay, strengthening the number of troops on the island in the fight for Guam and its eventual liberation.

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

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio, and site superintendent Barbara Alberti joined Mr. Ryder for the free event.

David Ryder and Lourdes Leon Guerrero
United States Mint Director David Ryder presents War in the Pacific National Historical Park quarters struck on the first day of production to Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

David Ryder and Barbara Alberti
United States Mint Director David Ryder presents War in the Pacific National Historical Park quarters struck on the first day of production to War in the Pacific National Historical Park Superintendent Barbara Alberti. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Other ceremony highlights included the presentation of colors by the University of Guam Army ROTC Honor Guard and performances by the Aniten I Taotao Tano’ Cultural Dance Group from Talofofo Elementary School, the Students from Oceanview Middle School’s Guma’ Nina’en Åcho’ Latte, and the Jose Rios Middle School Cultural Club Guma Kinalamten I Taotao Tano’.

University of Guam Army ROTC Honor Guard
The University of Guam Army ROTC Honor Guard present the colors during the War in the Pacific National Historical Park quarter launch. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Aniten I Taotao Tano Cultural Dance Group from Talofofo Elementary School
The Aniten I Taotao Tano’ Cultural Dance Group from Talofofo Elementary School performed during the ceremonial launch. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Students from Oceanview Middle Schools Guma Nina en Åcho Latte
Students from Oceanview Middle School’s Guma’ Nina’en Åcho’ Latte perform during the ceremonial launch. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Jose Rios Middle School Cultural Club Guma Kinalamten I Taotao Tano
The Jose Rios Middle School Cultural Club Guma Kinalamten I Taotao Tano’ performed the Bendision during the launch of the War in the Pacific National Historical Park quarter in Asan, Guam. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Many of those who attended the launch ceremony took part in the traditional coin exchange with about $16,000 in D-mint mark War in the Pacific Park quarters swapped for cash. The quarters were provided by Bank of Guam.

War in the Pacific Park coin exchange
A line forms at the coin exchange following the May 3, 2019 launch ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Another highlight for 32 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.

War in the Pacific Park quarters will enter circulation beginning Monday, June 3. The U.S. Mint on the same day will offer them in rolls and bags for collectors. Available products will 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 War in the Pacific Park quarter is the 48th released overall and the third of the five unique 25-cent designs for 2019.

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Chas Barber

Another boffo design!!! N0T

Chas Barber

You can get W & ATB 25c$ in GUAM, but not in Los Angeles CA….. wow wtf

Seth Riesling

Chas Barber –

How much do you think it cost the Mint to send Mint Director David J. Ryder & Mint photographer Sharon McPike from Washington D.C. to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands & a couple days later to Guam??!!
Maybe that high travel cost is one reason the U.S. Mint’s silver coins & medals have been so overpriced in recent years & is the only precious metal for which they do not have a pricing grid/matrix. Makes you wonder…

NumisdudeTX

Chas Barber

Too much, the “W” thing is ajoke, I have been a real pest asking all over my SMALL town (Los Angeles) if they have any new ATBS… never no onw, no bank, etc. I got one @ the record store a D asked if they had more in the drawer…no… Expense$ & using publi $ for their own benefit is a hallmark of this grifter POTUS, he makes millions making Sec Serv stay in his hotels- Pruitt the POS spend slmost $200k on un needed unauthorized 1st class travel & Munchkin & his wife flew to dallas & spent 2… Read more »

Alan Rider

You do know they scheduled both Guam and the Northern Mariana quarter launches the same week to save money, right?