Cumberland Island Quarter Launch Ceremony Highlights

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Last week on Thursday, Aug. 30, quarters honoring Cumberland Island National Seashore in Georgia were formerly introduced to the public.

Gary Ingram and David Croft
United States Mint Acting Deputy Director, David Croft and Cumberland Island National Seashore Superintendent, Gary Ingram, take part in the ceremonial coin pour during the launch of the Cumberland Island National Seashore quarter in Kingsland, Ga., August 30, 2018. The coin is the 44th release in the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. U.S. Mint photo by Debbie Dawson.

Some 1,500 people attended the launch ceremony hosted by officials from the United States Mint and National Park Service and around 1,200 children received a free Cumberland Island quarter to commemorate the event.

Cumberland Island Quarter Launch Crowd
A crowd of 1,500 people attended the ceremonial launch of the Cumberland Island quarter. U.S. Mint photo by Jill Westeyn.

Cumberland Island Quarter Launch Crowd-2
The crowd included around 1,200 schoolchildren from local schools. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Students proudly hold their new Cumberland Island National Seashore quarter
Students proudly hold their new Cumberland Island quarters. U.S. Mint photo Sharon McPike.

Cumberland Island National Seashore quarter
The new Cumberland Island National Seashore quarter

Depicted on the quarter’s reverse is a scene emblematic of the seashore — a snowy egret perched on a branch on the edge of a salt marsh.

"Georgia’s Cumberland Island National Seashore is made up of pristine coastlines and more than 9,000 acres of wilderness," said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. "The site offers great opportunities to camp, fish, bike, and kayak. It’s a perfect addition to the America the Beautiful quarter series."

David Croft, Acting Deputy Director, United States Mint and Gary Ingram, Superintendent, Cumberland Island National Seashore spoke to the audience about the nation’s newest quarter and how it reflects the significance of Cumberland Island’s place in American history.

Gary Ingram and David Croft -2
David Croft, Acting Deputy Director, United States Mint, presents Cumberland Island National Seashore quarters struck on the first day of production to Cumberland Island National Seashore Superintendent Gary Ingram during the launch ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Jill Westeyn.

Camden County High School Students Jalen Johnson and Nicole Thompson served as Masters of Ceremonies.

Jalen Johnson and Nicole Thompson
Nicole Thompson and Jalen Johnson, Camden County High School students, serve as Master of Ceremonies during the launch ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Two of the Camden County High School’s music ensembles preformed during the ceremony: the trombone trio and Volume One, a choral group.

trombone trio
A trombone trio entertains the audience before the ceremony. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.
Camden County High School's Volume One
Camden County High School’s Volume One sings the National Anthem during the Cumberland Island National Seashore quarter launch. U.S. Mint photo by Sharon McPike.

Many attendees took part in the traditional coin exchange with quarters provided by Southeastern Bank. About $16,000 in P-mint mark Cumberland Island quarters were swapped for cash.

Southeastern Bank exchanges quarters
Southeastern Bank exchanges the new Cumberland Island National Seashore quarters following the ceremonial launch. Attendees waiting in line were treated to walls of quarter designs drawn by local second graders.

Another highlight for 89 collectors and local enthusiasts was a coin forum held on the evening before the launch ceremony where attendees listened to and asked questions of U.S. Mint officials.

Cumberland Island quarters started entering circulation on Monday, Aug. 27. (See quarter photos.) The U.S. Mint on the same day released them in rolls and bags. Available products include quarters struck at the Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco Mints at prices ranging from $18.95 to $46.95.

The U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters® Program debuted in 2010 and will honor 56 national parks and other sites through 2021. The Cumberland Island National Seashore is the 44th released since 2010 and the fourth of the five unique 25-cent designs for 2018.

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