This article presents photos of Georgia’s Cumberland Island National Seashore quarter — the fourth of this year’s five coins from the United States Mint’s program of America the Beautiful Quarters®.
Several coin events next week will celebrate Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island which was established in 1972 to maintain one of the most ecologically diverse areas along the Atlantic coast.
On Monday, Aug. 27, the quarter commemorating the seashore launches into circulation and the U.S. Mint begins selling them in rolls and bags. Then on Thursday, Aug. 30, the U.S. Mint and National Park Service will introduce the quarter in an official ceremony.
The U.S. Mint already released several quarter products for collectors that include special proof and uncirculated versions of the quarter, including:
- Five 2018 proof quarters for $15.95.
- Five 2018 proof silver quarters for $33.95.
- Ten 2018 uncirculated quarters for $12.95.
Proof coins feature foregrounds designs against mirror-like backgrounds. Uncirculated coins look most like those in circulation and are produced from burnished blanks and pressed at least twice, resulting in more detail and brilliance.
Quarter Design
Designed by Donna Weaver and sculpted by Don Everhart, the quarter depicts a snowy egret posing on a branch on the edge of a salt marsh, ready for flight.
It was selected from candidate designs that were developed in consultation with representatives of Cumberland Island National Seashore and reviewed by the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC). Inscribed around the design are CUMBERLAND ISLAND, GEORGIA, 2018 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
To offer a better look at Cumberland Island National Seashore quarters, we photographed several collector editions and share them now.
Silver 2018-S Reverse Proof Cumberland Island Quarter Photos
The U.S. Mint has also issued several sets that include collector versions of all 2018-dated circulating coinage, including the quarters. A unique product from the Mint this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of proof set production at the San Francisco Mint. This 2018-S Silver Reverse Proof Set has special reverse proof versions, a finish that is opposite of proof as they feature mirrored designs against backgrounds.
These photos show a reverse proof Cumberland Island quarter from a set. Similar to standard silver quarters, it is struck in 90% silver and 10% copper.
Clad 2018-S Proof Cumberland Island Quarter Photos
The U.S. Mint facility in San Francisco produces proof quarters and they bear an ‘S’ mintmark on their obverse. Clad proofs are made from the same composition as regular circulating quarters — 8.33% with the balance copper. Their sharp reliefs and mirror-like backgrounds set them apart from circulating coins.
Reverses (tails side) of America the Beautiful quarter dollars are emblematic of the national site they honor. The quarter for Georgia is the 44th issue in the ATB series and the fourth of five for 2018.
Obverses (heads side) are common to every quarter. They depict the 1932 effigy of George Washington by John Flanagan.
2018-S Silver Proof Cumberland Island Quarter Photos
These next photos show a silver proof quarter, which are also made at the San Francisco Mint and bear an ‘S’ mintmark. These coins are minted for numismatic proof sets and are composed from 90% silver and 10% copper.
Clad vs. Silver
It can be difficult to quickly notice the difference between clad and silver proof quarters because they have the same finish and diameter of 24.26 mm. Quarters in silver do weigh more at 6.250 grams compared to clad quarters at 5.670 grams.
Instead of using a scale to verify weights, look at a coin’s edge. Clad quarters have a visible copper layer.
2017 Clad Uncirculated Cumberland Island Quarter Photos
Uncirculated quarters are made at the Denver and Philadelphia Mints, the same two plants that strike coins for circulation.
2018 America the Beautiful Quarters
The earlier released 2018 quarters depict Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin, and Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota. One more quarter will launch later this year with a reverse celebrating Georgia and Block Island National Wildlife Refuge in Rhode Island.
Keep appraised of the latest and past releases from our CoinNews section on quarters.