National Sites Quarters

Starting in 2010, the United States Mint will release the National Sites Quarters. This new series of circulating commemorative quarters will feature National Parks and other National Sites from each state, territory, and the District of Columbia.

At least 56 different designs will be issued at a rate of five new designs per year. The rotating designs featuring parks and sites would appear on the reverse of each coin. The obverse of the coins are expected to feature a portrait of George Washington, which will be used throughout the series.

The new program follows the previous 50 State Quarters Program and District of Columbia and United States Territories Quarters Program. In many ways the National Sites Quarters are similar in structure to these prior programs.

The new quarter series was signed into law on December 23, 2008 as Public Law 110-456, America’s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008. The law specifies the details of the program, including some basic guidance on site selection, design, and the approval process. By September 19, 2009, the Secretary of the Treasury must select the National Parks and National Sites which will be featured for each of the 56 host jurisdictions.

There are some unique aspects of the National Sites Quarters program, not previously seen in the State Quarters or US Territories Quarters Programs. The law provides authorization for the production of oversized silver bullion duplicates of each quarter. These would be struck in a composition of .999 silver with a diameter of 3 inches and weight 5 ounces. Additionally, the program includes a specific provision which would allow the series to be extended for another round of designs, at the option of the treasury Secretary.