Appearing from the United States Mint as the final release in its 2018 product schedule is the Block Island National Wildlife Refuge Quarter Three-Coin Set.
This collectible honoring the national site in Rhode Island debuts today, Nov. 27, at Noon (ET) for $9.95.
Included in each set are three Block Island National Wildlife quarters issued as part of the U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters® Program. The quarter in circulating quality was released in large quantities on Nov. 13 and was officially introduced to the public on Nov. 15.
This newest product offers the opportunity to get Block Island quarters in higher collector-grade finishes from three of the U.S. Mint production facilities, including:
- one uncirculated finish quarter from the Philadelphia Mint
- one uncirculated finish quarter from the Denver Mint, and
- one proof quality quarter from the San Francisco Mint.
All three coins bear the same reverse (tails side) design emblematic of the wildlife refuge. It depicts a black-crowned night-heron in flight. Below the bird is the beach at Cow Cove looking towards Sandy Point with North Lighthouse in the background. Inscriptions around the design include "BLOCK ISLAND," "RHODE ISLAND," "2018" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM." (See photos of the quarter.)
Obverses (heads side) bear the effigy of George Washington as found on all other coins in the series. This likeness of the first President of the United States was originally designed by John Flanagan and has been appearing on quarter dollars since 1932, with some alterations.
Obverse inscriptions read: "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and "QUARTER DOLLAR." In addition, there is one mintmark indicating its facility of production — ‘P,’ ‘D,’ or ‘S’ for Philadelphia, Denver or San Francisco.
Coins of the set are attached to a plastic card that includes a photographic background of North Lighthouse in Block Island National Wildlife Refuge. The card also contains a brief description of the refuge and a certificate of authenticity.
Ordering
2018 Block Island National Wildlife Refuge Quarter Three-Coin Sets may be ordered directly from the U.S. Mint along with other America the Beautiful products on its website, located here. Orders may also be placed by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
The set has no mintage/product limits or household order restrictions.
Older Three-Coin Sets Available
Those interested in obtaining some of the previous America the Beautiful Quarter Three Coin Sets may also find what they are looking for on the Mint’s website. Sets dating back to 2016 are currently available. Figures show their sales range from about 11,250 to 16,940.
More recently, the first set released this year included quarters honoring Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan. Going forward from there, the second one offers coins commemorating Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, the third set features quarters celebrating Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota, and the fourth one has quarters honoring Georgia’s Cumberland Island National Seashore.