Yosemite National Park featured on new quarter

WASHINGTON, D.C.
September 9, 2009 7:45am

Yosemite National Park will be the third national park to be included in a new quarter-dollar coin program that launches next year, according to the U.S. Mint on Wednesday.

The “America the Beautiful Quarters Program” is a multi-year initiative that is scheduled to see the minting of 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 Mint says.

"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," predicts United States Mint Director Ed Moy.

Beginning today, customers can sign up to get the quarters released each year through several new online subscription programs, the Mint says.