Cumberland Gap Quarter Launch Ceremony Highlights

By
Rhonda Kay
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2

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park quarters were introduced to the public Monday, April 11, at an event held at the park’s visitor center in Middlesboro, Kentucky.

Cumberland Gap Quarter Pouring
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Superintendent Jacobs, United States Mint Plant Manager Marc Landry, Congressman Rogers, and National Park Service Deputy Director O’Dell participate in the ceremonial coin pour during the launch of the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park quarter in Middlesboro, KY, April 11, 2016. The coin is the 32nd release in the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

About 3,600 people attended the official launch ceremony, including some 2,700 school kids.

Crowd at Cumberland Gap Quarter Ceremony, a
Some of the people who attended the quarter ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.
Crowd at Cumberland Gap Quarter Ceremony
More people who attended the launch ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Highlights included an en masse swearing in of more than 2,200 junior rangers followed by a coin exchange.

NSP Regional Director Stan Austin
National Park Service Regional Director Stan Austin officiating the swearing in of 2,200 Junior Rangers. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.
Children are sworn in as Junior Rangers
Children sworn in as Junior Rangers during the ceremonial launch of the Cumberland Gap National Park quarter. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Guest speakers included U.S. Representative Hal Rogers, NPS Deputy Director Peggy O’Dell, NPS Director for the Southeast Region Stan Austin, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Superintendent Sula Jacobs, and Marc Landry, plant manager of the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia.

"Modern day explorers and travelers stand in awe at this great break in the Appalachian Mountain chain, which gave passage to thousands seeking something new beyond the horizon," said Marc Landry. "Millions of Americans will now have a reminder of the important role this mountain pass has played in the settlement of our Nation."

Hattie Landen and Makaya Patterson, both fourth-grade students at Middlesboro Elementary School, shared master-of-ceremony duties.

Masters of Ceremonies Hattie Landen and Makaya Patterson
Masters of Ceremonies Hattie Landen and Makaya Patterson, both fourth-graders from Middlesboro Elementary School, show off the display of Cumberland Gap National Park quarters. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.
The Smith Brothers
The Smith Brothers perform with the Watauga Valley Fife & Drum Corps before the launch ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.
The Over Mountain Victory Trail Association
The Over Mountain Victory Trail Association during the presentation of colors at the quarter ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Immediately following the event, the schoolchildren received a free Cumberland Gap quarter, and adults swapped cash for $10 rolls of the new coin. Sponsored by Home Federal Bank, about $26,000 in quarters was exchanged according to U.S. Mint spokesman Michael White.

Children holding Cumberland Gap quarter
Children proudly hold their new Cumberland Gap National Historical Park quarters after the ceremonial launch of the coin in Middlesboro, KY, on April 11, 2016. The Cumberland Gap National Historical Park quarter is the 32nd release in the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.
Kids Receiving Free Cumberland Gap Quarters, a
National Park Service Regional Director Stan Austin distributes new quarters to children attending the ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.
Line to Exchange for Cumberland Gap Quarters
Attendees of the quarter ceremonial launch wait in line to exchange their paper currency for rolls of new quarters. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Those who missed the launch ceremony do not have to wait to find the coins in change, because the U.S. Mint started selling Cumberland Gap quarters on April 4. Buying options include rolls and bags of them in circulating quality from U.S. Mint facilities in San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia. Prices for the products range from $18.95 for a roll of 40 quarters to $46.95 for a set of three-rolls. (Visit the Mint’s online store for quarters.)

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park quarters, rolls and bags
The U.S. Mint is now selling rolls and bags of 2016 Cumberland Gap quarters. The coin depicts a reverse design emblematic of the national site located at the border between Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.

On the day before the ceremony, the U.S. Mint hosted a free coin forum that drew 40 collectors. Coin forums offer a venue to express views and ask questions about existing, new, and upcoming U.S. Mint products.

The U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters® Program debuted in 2010. It will honor 56 national parks and other national sites in the U.S. and its territories through 2021. The Cumberland Gap National Historical Park quarter is the 32nd release. The U.S. Mint video below shows how it was produced.

 

The first 2016-dated release commemorated Shawnee National Forest in Illinois. The next three for this year honor Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia, Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, and Fort Moultrie in South Carolina.

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Seth Riesling

The last ATB quarter for this year is the Fort Moultrie – Fort Sumpter National Monument, South Carolina coin.

-NumisDudeTX

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Seth Riesling

The U.S. Mint should hire those kids dressed like Little House on the Prairie actors to do t.v. ads to help the Mint increase its sales.

-NumisDudeTX

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