Homestead Quarter Launch Ceremony Highlights

1

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.

Homestead Quarter Ceremony Photos
U.S. Mint photos by Sharon McPike of the Homestead quarter launch ceremony

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.

United States Mint Associate Director of Manufacturing David Croft
David Croft, Associate Director of Manufacturing, United States Mint, addressed the crowd gathered at the Homestead National Monument of America quarter launch ceremony on Feb. 10, 2015, in Beatrice, Nebraska. The coin is the 26th release in the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters® Program.

Homestead Quarter Ceremony Crowd in Beatrice High School Gymnasium
More than 2,500 people filled the Beatrice High School gymnasium for the ceremonial launch of the Homestead quarter.

Homestead Quarters in hands of schoolchildren
Children proudly display their new quarters after the Homestead National Monument of America quarter launch.

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.

David Croft and Mike Foley
Nebraska Lt. Gov. Mike Foley accepts first strike Homestead National Monument of America quarters from United States Mint Associate Director of Manufacturing David Croft at the launch ceremony.
David Croft, Mark Engler and Patty Trap
David Croft presents Homestead National Monument of America quarters struck on the first day of production to Acting Regional Director of the National Park Service Patty Trap and Homestead National Monument of America Superintendent Mark Engler at the launch ceremony.

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.

Homestead National Monument of America Quarter
The Homestead National Monument of America Quarter depicts a cabin, water pump and two ears of corn

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.

2015 America the Beautiful Quarters
Images of the 2015 America the Beautiful Quarters honoring national sites in Nebraska, Louisiana, North Carolina, Delaware and New York

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.

2015 America the Beautiful Quarter Design Candidates
Forty-four design candidates were created and reviewed for the 2015 America the Beautiful Quarters before the final five were selected. The above image shows a sampling of the candidates.

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.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

1 Comment
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Ilovesilver

one of most beauty design !!!