Harpers Ferry Quarter Launch Ceremony Highlights

0

Quarters commemorating Harpers Ferry National Historical Park were introduced to the public Wednesday, June 8, at an event held in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

Harpers Ferry quarter, Nortan and Lewis
Bill Norton, Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, United States Mint, presents Harpers Ferry National Historical Park quarters struck on the first day of production to Joy Lewis, a representative from Governor Earl Ray Tomblin’s office, during the June 8, 2016, launch ceremony in Harpers Ferry, WV. United States Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Despite a sudden rain storm, about 1,100 people attended the official launch ceremony that included some 400 children.

Crowd at Harpers Ferry quarters launch
A crowd of about 1,100 people gathers for the ceremonial launch of the America the Beautiful quarter honoring Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

After the event, kids received one of the new coins for free while adults swapped cash for $10 rolls of them. About $29,000 in quarters from the Philadelphia Mint were exchanged by Jefferson Security Bank, according to U.S. Mint spokesman Michael White.

Ceremonial particpants and speakers included United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program designer Thomas Hipschen, the coin’s designer; NPS Regional Director Bob Vogel; Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Superintendent Rebecca Harriett; Keith McIntosh on behalf of U.S. Senator Joe Manchin III; Chris Strovel on behalf of U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito; Dr. Steve Smoot on behalf of U.S. Representative Alex Mooney; Joy Lewis, a representative from Governor Earl Ray Tomblin’s office; and William Norton, United States Mint Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs.

"This new coin serves as a reminder that at a river-crossing established long before our country’s struggle for independence, in a West Virginia town that played an integral role in our nation’s Civil War, a diverse number of people and events came together to influence the course of our common history," said Norton.

Basketball Olympic Gold Medalist Vicky Bullett served as master of ceremonies.

Coin pour of Harpers Ferry quarters
National Park Service Regional Director Bob Vogel, United States Mint Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Bill Norton, and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Superintendent Rebecca Harriett, participate in the ceremonial coin pour during the launch ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Those who missed the launch ceremony don’t have to wait to find Harpers Ferry quarters in change. The United States Mint started selling them on Monday, June 6. Buying options include quarters made at U.S. Mint facilities in San Francisco, Denver and Philadelphia at prices ranging from $18.95 for a roll to $46.95 for a set of three rolls.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park quarters, rolls and bags
The U.S. Mint is now selling rolls and bags of 2016 Harpers Ferry National Historical Park quarters. The coin depicts a reverse design emblematic of the national historical park in West Virginia.

On the evening prior to the ceremony, the U.S. Mint hosted a free coin forum to answer questions and talk about existing, new, and upcoming products.

America the Beautiful Quarters debuted in 2010 and will commemorate 56 national parks and other national sites through to 2021. The Harpers Ferry quarter is the 33rd issued. The first two 2016-dated quarters commemorate Shawnee National Forest in Illinois and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in Kentucky. The last two for this year honor Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota and Fort Moultrie in South Carolina.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments