This article presents photos of Block Island National Wildlife Refuge quarters for Rhode Island — the last of this year’s five coins from the United States Mint’s program of America the Beautiful Quarters®.
Coin events next week will celebrate Block Island National Wildlife Refuge. Located 12 miles off the southern coast of Rhode Island, the refuge was established in 1973 with the transfer of 28 acres from the U.S. Coast Guard, and has grown to its current size of 134 acres. The island is known around the world for its variety of migratory birds and its stunning barrier beaches.
On Tuesday, Nov. 13, the quarter depicting the refuge launches into circulation and the U.S. Mint begins selling them in rolls and bags. Then on Thursday, Nov. 15, the U.S. Mint and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will introduce the quarter in an official ceremony.
Quarter Products for Collectors
The U.S. Mint already released several 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 have frosted designs that attractively contrast 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.
The U.S. Mint has also issued several sets that contain collector versions of the circulating coinage for the year, including the five 2018 quarters. One of them is unique product that celebrates the 50th anniversary of proof set production at the U.S. Mint in San Francisco. This 2018-S Silver Reverse Proof Set contains reverse proof coins — a finish that is opposite of proof with mirrored designs against backgrounds.
Quarter Design
Designed by Chris Costello and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, the quarter shows a black-crowned night-heron flying over a view from the beach at Cow Cove looking towards Sandy Point. The North Lighthouse is seen in the background.
It was selected from candidate designs that were developed in consultation with representatives of Block Island National Wildlife Refuge and reviewed by the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC). Inscribed around the design are BLOCK ISLAND, RHODE ISLAND, 2018 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
To offer a better look at Block Island National Wildlife Refuge quarters, we photographed several collector editions and share them now.
Silver 2018-S Reverse Proof Block Island Quarter Photos
These photos show a reverse proof Block Island quarter from the aforementioned 50th anniversary set from San Francisco. Similar to standard silver quarters, it is struck in 90% silver and 10% copper.
Clad 2018-S Proof Cumberland Island Quarter Photos
Every year, the U.S. Mint facility in San Francisco strikes regular proof quarters. 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 Rhode Island is the 45th issue in the ATB series and the final 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 Block Island Quarter Photos
These next photos show a silver proof quarter, which are also made at the San Francisco Mint. 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.
Clad Uncirculated Block Island Quarter Photos
Uncirculated quarters are made at the Denver and Philadelphia Mints, the same two plants that strike coins for circulation. These last photos show some uncirculated Block Island quarters.
2018 America the Beautiful Quarters
Earlier released quarters for 2018 depict Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin, Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota, and Cumberland Island National Seashore in Georgia.
Keep appraised of the latest and past releases from our CoinNews section on quarters.