At the strike of noon ET today, Nov. 4, the United States Mint released South Dakota’s 2013 Mount Rushmore National Memorial Quarter. Circulating quality versions are now available directly from the U.S. Mint in numismatic bags and rolls.
This latest America the Beautiful Quarter® represents the final design of five for the year and the 20th issued in the series. Its availability in bags and rolls coincides with its release into general circulation by the Federal Reserve Banking System.
While finding new quarters in commerce may take a while, ordering them directly from the U.S. Mint is simple and fast. Consumers have the option of buying Mount Rushmore quarters in 40-coin rolls, two-roll sets, three-roll sets, and 100-coin bags from U.S. Mint facilities in San Francisco, Philadelphia and Denver.
Coins originating from San Francisco typically are not circulation quality, but starting last year, the Mint began striking them as such specifically for coin collectors. In addition, these issues will not be dispersed via banks for retail use like the Philadelphia and Denver strikes are dispersed. Instead, San Francisco quarters are for sale to the public directly from the U.S. Mint.
Designs for Mount Rushmore National Memorial Quarter
Obverse or the heads side of the Mount Rushmore quarter is exactly the same as previous strikes in the quarter series. It shows the 1932 portrait of President George Washington by John Flanagan, digitally restored to show subtle details found in the original model. Surrounding inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and QUARTER DOLLAR.
The coin’s mint mark, indicating its city of origin, is also on this obverse side. Mint marks are ‘S’ for San Francisco, ‘P’ for Philadelphia, or ‘D’ for Denver.
Reverse or tails side of the Mount Rushmore quarter, designed and sculpted by Joseph Menna, feature a close up of men at work on Thomas Jefferson’s face at the memorial. The image was inspired by old photos of workers who were adding details to the President’s faces, which offers a unique perspective on the mountain carving process that created Mount Rushmore nearly 90 years ago. Reverse inscriptions read MOUNT RUSHMORE, SOUTH DAKOTA, 2013 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
Similar to the design process for all five of the 2013 America the Beautiful Quarters, representatives from Mount Rushmore National Memorial provided valuable input and consultation on the artwork for the coin.
Prices and Options for the 2013 Mount Rushmore Quarter in Numismatic Bags and Rolls
The U.S. Mint offers several numismatic products containing Mount Rushmore quarters. Starting with the lowest price, the 40-coin roll of coins from San Francisco’s facility is $18.95.
At $32.95, the two-roll set has 40 coins from Philadelphia and 40 coins from Denver.
For a few dollars more at $34.95, collectors can purchase a 100-coin bag. Choices include strikes that come from any one of the three minting facilities.
The highest priced of the new products is suitable for those who want coins that are from all three mints. The three-roll set has a roll of 40 quarters from San Francisco, a roll from Philadelphia, and a roll from Denver.
Older options, that have other collector qualities of the quarters, include the 2013 Mint Set ($27.95), 2013 Silver Proof Set ($53.95), 2013 America the Beautiful Quarters Uncirculated Set ($12.95), 2013 Proof Set ($31.95), 2013 America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set ($14.95), and the 2013 America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set ($31.95).
Where to Order Mount Rushmore Quarters
Buyers can place their orders for Mount Rushmore quarters in bags, rolls, or sets directly from the United States Mint’s website located here or by calling the Mint’s toll free phone number at 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). A standard shipping and handling charge of $4.95 applies to domestic orders.
There are no household or product limits for quarters. Their mintage is based on consumer demand. As of this writing and likely because they are still being produced, the U.S. Mint has not published how many Mount Rushmore quarters it has struck.
Coin Forum and Quarter Launch Ceremony
Tuesday night at 5 PM MT, the U.S. Mint will host a coin forum, free to the public, at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial inside Carver’s Cafe. The following morning, on Nov. 6 at 10 AM, the official Mount Rushmore National Memorial Quarter Launch Ceremony and Coin Exchange will be held at the National Guard Armory in Custer, South Dakota. (Read this coin news article for ceremony details.)
Finally, Thursday, Nov. 7, sales begin for the Mount Rushmore Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin, which is a 5-oz duplicate of the quarter. It is struck in .999 fine silver and has a three inch diameter. A bullion version is expected to launch today. It will distribute through the U.S. Mint’s network of authorized buyers.
The America the Beautiful Quarters® Program began in 2010 and will run through the beginning of 2021. During that time, five designs per year are scheduled to appear, each sporting a design emblematic of a different national site for every state, U.S. territory, and the District of Columbia.
To learn more about the program, visit this site’s news section about quarters.