Rolls and bags of the final 2019-dated quarter from the United States Mint went on sale today at noon ET. The new Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness quarter dollar honors the national wilderness in Idaho.
All coins in the rolls and bags are in circulation quality taken from the U.S. Mint production floors in Philadelphia, Denver or San Francisco. Product options include 40-coin rolls, two-roll sets, three-roll sets and 100-coin bags with prices ranging from $18.95 to $46.95.
The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness was established in 1980. Encompassing a total of 2,366,757 acres, it is the largest contiguous federally managed wilderness in the continental United States. The wilderness takes its name from the Main Salmon River’s nickname of "The River of No Return" and for Frank Church, U.S. Senator, who spearheaded work to preserve the region.
River of No Return Quarter Designs
Appearing on the quarter’s reverse (tails) side is a design emblematic of the site. It shows a piloted drift boat on a rushing river in the wilderness. Around, we find trees and rock formations typical of the region. Inscriptions circling the design read: "RIVER OF NO RETURN," "WILDERNESS," "IDAHO," "2019" and "E PLURIBUS UNUM."
The image was designed by artist Emily Damstra and sculpted by Renata Gordon. In the following U.S. Mint video, Damstra and Gordon talk briefly about their work on the coin.
The quarter’s obverse (heads) side contains a portrait of George Washington. The effigy has appeared on quarter dollars since 1932 (with some modest changes) and was originally designed by John Flanagan. Inscriptions include "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST" and "QUARTER DOLLAR."
Quarter Roll and Bag Products
Product options for the wilderness quarter are:
| Product | US Mint Production Facility | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 40-coin rolls | San Francisco | $18.95 |
| Two-roll sets | 40 Philadelphia & 40 Denver coins | $32.95 |
| Three-roll sets | 40 San Francisco, 40 Philadelphia, & 40 Denver | $46.95 |
| 100-coin bags | San Francisco | $34.95 |
| 100-coin bags | Philadelphia | $34.95 |
| 100-coin bags | Denver | $34.95 |
The Philadelphia and Denver Mints routinely produce the nation’s circulating coinage for commerce. Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness quarters from both of these plants will eventually make their way into change, as well as a limited number from West Point Mint. Quarters produced at the San Francisco Mint will not, however, as this facility strikes coins only for inclusion in products for collectors such as these rolls and bags.
Coin Release Ceremony and Forum
An official release ceremony for the quarter is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019 at 10 AM (Mountain Time). The ceremony will take place at the Salmon Jr/Sr High School,
401 South Warpath,
Salmon, ID 83467. Attendees will also have the opportunity to exchange cash for rolls of the new quarter with a one-roll ($10) minimum and a 10-roll ($100) maximum.
The previous evening, a forum will be hosted by officials from the U.S. Mint. It will be held Tuesday, November 5, 2019 from 5 PM.-6 PM (MT) at the Sacajawea Center,
2700 Main Street,
Salmon, ID 83467.
Ordering
Order quarter rolls and bags from the U.S. Mint’s online section of America the Beautiful coin products, found here, or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
2019 America the Beautiful Quarters
Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness quarters are the fiftieth in the U.S. Mint America the Beautiful Quarters® program. They also serve as last of five to be issued in the series this year.
The complete list of quarters for 2019 is as follows:
| Location | Site Honored | Release Date |
| Massachusetts | Lowell National Historical Park | Feb. 4, 2019 |
| Northern Mariana Islands | American Memorial Park | April 1, 2019 |
| Guam | War in the Pacific National Historical Park | June 3, 2019 |
| Texas | San Antonio Missions National Historical Park | Aug. 26, 2019 |
| Idaho | Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness | Nov. 4, 2019 |
This quarter program debuted in 2010 and sees five releases annually. It will conclude in 2021 at which time one new quarter will have been issued honoring a site from each state, the District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories.
America the Beautiful Five Ounce Silver Coins
Along with the quarter dollars, the U.S. Mint also issues five ounce silver coins honoring the same locations. This includes uncirculated versions meant for collectors that are available directly from the U.S. Mint and bullion coins sold through the Mint’s network of authorized purchasers. Both are produced from five ounce of .999 fine silver to diameters of 3 inches.
The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Five Ounce Silver Uncirculated Coin is scheduled to go on sale beginning Nov. 14. Pricing will be $154.95.