Today, Nov. 3, the United States Mint released the last America the Beautiful Quarter for 2014. Commemorating Everglades National Park in Florida, this new coin is available in U.S. Mint-sold rolls and bags.
Everglades quarters were also released into circulation today, but they’ll take some time to make their way into change. Banks cannot order them by a certain design or from a specific U.S. Mint production facility. On top of that, quarters that are struck at the San Francisco Mint are not released into circulation and can only be acquired in numismatic products sold by the Mint. These are some of the reasons why many collectors order new quarters directly from the Mint.
Everglades National Park Quarter Designs
The reverse or tails side design on the Everglades National Park Quarter was inspired by the park’s bird population. Designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Joseph Menna, it features an anhinga with outstretched wings on a willow tree along with a roseate spoonbill visible in the mid-ground. Inscriptions around the scene are EVERGLADES, FLORIDA, 2014 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
Design candidates for the quarter were developed in consultation with representatives of Everglades National Park. The eventual design, shown above, was selected by the Treasury Secretary after reviews and consulting with various parties.
Obverses are common among all America the Beautiful Quarters, featuring the 1932 portrait of George Washington by John Flanagan. The inscriptions on this side read: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and QUARTER DOLLAR. There is also a mint mark telling where the quarter was made — S, P or D for the San Francisco Mint, Philadelphia Mint or Denver Mint.
Everglades Quarter Product Options
2014 Everglades National Park Quarters are available in rolls and bags, but these two products come with several different options. The first, and least expensive at $18.95, is a 40-coin roll from the San Francisco Mint. Second is a two-roll set which comes with one roll from the Philadelphia Mint and the second roll from the Denver Mint. This option is priced at $32.95. The most expensive option, at $46.95, is the three-roll set. The three rolls in this set include one from Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco.
The quarters are also available in 100-coin bags. These bags can be ordered individually with quarters from the three U.S. Mint facilities. The per bag price is $34.95.
Here is a handy chart listing the product options and their prices:
| Quarter Product | U.S. Mint Facility Striking Them | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 40-coin rolls | San Francisco | $18.95 |
| Two-roll sets | 40 Philadelphia & 40 Denver coins | $32.95 |
| Three-roll sets | San Francisco, Philadelphia, & Denver | $46.95 |
| 100-coin bags | San Francisco | $34.95 |
| 100-coin bags | Philadelphia | $34.95 |
| 100-coin bags | Denver | $34.95 |
Ordering Details and Ceremony
Those who are interested in adding these numismatic products to their collection are able to do so by going to the United States Mint’s website at www.usmint.gov. Here is the link to the Mint’s online product page.
Another option for purchasing Everglades National Park America the Beautiful Quarters is to order by phone, which can be accomplished by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
An official launch ceremony for the quarter is scheduled for Dec. 4, 2014. A U.S. Mint coin forum will be held the evening prior to the ceremony and a coin exchange right after the ceremony.
Other 2014 America the Beautiful Quarters
The Everglades National Park Quarter is the fifth and final issue from the America the Beautiful Quarters program for 2014 and the 25th release overall.
The program in most years has quarters that depict National Parks along with national forests or other national sites like memorials. However, this year, all five quarters honor national parks. The other parks that were honored this year include Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, Arches National Park in Utah and Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado. Check here for quarter news about past releases.
Since its beginnings in 2010, the America the Beautiful Quarters program has released five coins each year. It is scheduled to continue until at least 2021 after 56 quarters have been issued. These 56 quarters will commemorate a site in each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia and the five territories of the United States.