Cumberland Island Quarter Ceremony, Coin Exchange and Public Forum

The United States Mint and the National Park Service will soon introduce the quarter that commemorates Georgia’s Cumberland Island National Seashore. This year’s fourth quarter ceremony will take place at a high school near the seashore on Thursday, Aug. 30.

As in past ceremonies, two related events support the quarter’s official release. First, there is a U.S. Mint-hosted coin forum on the night before the ceremony, and then there is the traditional coin exchange immediately following the ceremonial launch. Both are free and open to all ages.

Cumberland Island quarters begin their journey into general circulation on Monday, Aug. 27, but it could be months or years before they show up in regular commerce because Federal Reserve Banks distribute coins to financial institutions without regard to their designs. So, the quarter ceremony is a prime occasion to get this fourth of five 2018-dated quarters. The U.S. Mint offers another by selling them Aug. 27 in rolls and bags.

Cumberland Island Quarter Launch Ceremony – Time and Location

Quarter ceremonies are special events for locals, coin collectors, and children. It usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes in total for various speakers to provide historical background about the park, local entertainers to perform, and official dignitaries to unveil the new coin and give a free one to school-aged children. Expected dignitaries and speakers at the event include:

• United States Mint Acting Deputy Director David Croft
• Andrew Blascovich, Senior Field Representative for U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson
• Emmitt Nolan, Caseworker, Field Representative for U.S Congressman Buddy Carter
• Cumberland Island National Seashore Superintendent Gary Ingram
• United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Designer Donna Weaver
• Camden County High School Students Jalen Johnson and Nicole Thompson, Masters of Ceremonies

The quarter ceremony’s time and location details follow.

Date: Thursday, August 30, 2018
Time: 10 a.m. (ET)
Location:
Camden County High School Auditorium
6300 Laurel Island Parkway
Kingsland, GA 31548

The following map shows the school’s location:

Coin Exchange

The coin exchange begins immediately after the quarter ceremony. Attendees can swap cash for $10 rolls of the new coins. A one-roll ($10) minimum and a 10-roll ($100) maximum is common.

Coin Forum Evening Prior to Quarter Ceremony

The United States Mint will also host a coin collector forum on the evening before the ceremony. This free event gives the public an opportunity to learn more about the U.S. Mint and to ask questions about its products. Coin forums tend to last under an hour.

Here are the coin forum’s time and location details:

Date: Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Time: 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. (ET)
Location:
Howard Gilman Waterfront Park
Amphitheater Stage
120 St. Marys Street
St. Marys, GA 31558

The following map shows the location of the park.

U.S. Mint-Branded Rolls and Bags of Quarters & Other Quarter Collectibles

On Monday, Aug. 27, starting at noon ET, the U.S. Mint will begin selling Cumberland Island 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.

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. On March 29, the U.S. Mint issued an uncirculated set of 2018 quarters for $12.95.