Great Sand Dunes National Park to be Featured on US Coin

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Great Sand Dunes National Park to be Featured on US Coin

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve to be Featured in United States
Mint America the Beautiful Quarters(TM) Program

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 -- The United States Mint announced today that the
nation will honor Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado
through its new quarter-dollar coin program. The Great Sand Dunes design
will be the 24th to be featured on coins released under the United States Mint
America the Beautiful Quarters Program, and will be issued in 2014.

Alpine tundra, forests, massive dunes, grasslands and wetlands are all
protected as elements of the Great Sand Dunes natural system. Alpine lakes
such as Upper Sand Creek Lake are part of the mountain watershed of Great
Sand Dunes, and provide a dramatic contrast to the stark dunefield.
Ponderosa pine trees were historically peeled for food or medicine by
American Indian tribes; more than 100 of these living artifacts are found
around Great Sand Dunes. It was established as a national site in 1932.

The United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program is a multi-year
initiative authorized by Public Law 110-456 -- the America's Beautiful National
Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008. The Act directs the United States Mint
to mint and issue 56 circulating quarter-dollar coins with reverse (tails side)
designs emblematic of a national park or other national site in each state, the
District of Columbia and U.S. territories -- Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa,
the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands. The quarters will be
issued sequentially each year, in the order in which the featured site was first
established as a national park or site. The coins' obverse (heads) will feature
a restored version of the familiar 1932 portrait of George Washington,
including subtle details and the beauty of the original model.

The complete National Site Registry, which lists all 56 sites to be honored
under the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program in
chronological order by year, is available at
National Sites Quarters Program - America the Beautiful Quarters National Site Register.

"These new quarters will honor some of our most revered, treasured and
beautiful national sites -- majestic and historic places located throughout the
United States and its territories that truly make us 'America the Beautiful,'"
United States Mint Director Ed Moy said. "The designs will help reinvigorate
interest in our national parks, forests, fish and wildlife refuges, and other
national sites, as well as educate the public about their importance to us and
our history."

Secretary of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner approved the list of sites
recommended by the United States Mint on August 25, 2009, after
consultation with the governor or chief executive of each host jurisdiction and
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.

"The America the Beautiful series demonstrates our nation's commitment to
the legacy of conservation while celebrating its natural beauty," said
Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios. "Like other commemorative coins,
these quarters will be a valuable addition to the U.S. Mint's collection."

"Since our Nation's founding, our coins have celebrated American ideals such
as liberty and justice, our rich history and heritage, and the great Presidents
and other leaders who have guided us," Salazar said. "I am pleased that
these new quarters will now celebrate America the Beautiful, the spectacular
natural wonders that are found in our national parks, wildlife refuges and
public lands."

"From Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon to White Mountain National Forest in
New Hampshire, America's landscape is blessed with unmatched beauty," U.S.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who oversees the National Forest Service,
said. "Our national forests are national treasures and honoring them is an
important step in preserving them for future generations."

Beginning today, customers may sign up to receive the United States Mint
America the Beautiful Quarters released each year through several new
Online Subscription Programs -- a two-roll set (one roll of 40 coins with the "P"
mint mark for Philadelphia and one roll of 40 coins with the "D" mint mark for
Denver); 100-coin bag (P); 100-coin bag (D); two 100-coin bags (P and D);
1,000-coin bag (P); 1,000-coin bag (D); two 1,000-coin bags (P and D); United
States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set(TM); and United States
Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set(TM), with the five coins
struck in 90 percent silver.

To place subscription orders for these products, visit the United States Mint
Web site at U.S. Mint Online Product Catalog or call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468).
Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by
calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468). Prices for these products have not yet been
established. However, similar product prices are $32.95 each for the two-roll
sets and 100-coin bags; $309.95 each for the 1,000-coin bags; $65.90 each
for the two 100-coin bags; $619.90 each for the two 1,000-coin bags; $14.95
for the proof set; and $29.95 for the silver proof set.

Additionally, under the United States Mint America the Beautiful Silver Bullion
Coin(TM) Program, the United States Mint will mint and offer for sale silver
bullion coins that are duplicates of the quarters. The bullion coins, to be struck
in .999 fine silver, will be three inches in diameter and weigh five ounces. The
fineness and weight will be edge-incused.

For more information about the United States Mint America the Beautiful
Quarters Program, please visit
National Sites Quarters Program.
Created by Congress in 1792, The United States Mint is the Nation's sole
manufacturer of legal tender coinage. Its primary mission is to produce an
adequate volume of circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and
commerce. The United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated and
commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and gold, silver and
platinum bullion coins.

[Wildcard-2]

Thats kinda crazy. What sucks is those dunes are amazing and we cant ride on them.

[Senator]

Did anyone ever get their hands on one of these coins?

[jamaha51]

Originally Posted by Wildcard-2

Thats kinda crazy. What sucks is those dunes are amazing and we cant ride on them.

Ya, I live about 45 minutes away from them and it kills me to not be able to ride on them. Hell, I can even see them from my house right now!

[HondaRidr]

Its bulls**t that they arent open to riding. Those dunes cover a huge area. They could open a riding area on the opposite side of the visitors center and and no one would know about it.