Chickasaw National Park Quarter -- the Release Ceremony

The US Mint held its release ceremony for the tenth coin in the America the Beautiful Quarters series, the Chickasaw National Recreation Area Quarter. Approximately 300 people, half of whom were students from local schools attended the ceremony in Sulphur, OK.



United States Mint Associate Director for Sales and Marketing B. B. Craig and Chickasaw National Recreation Area Superintendent Bruce Noble hosted the ceremony. Music was provided by the East Central University Clarinet Ensemble, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by the 5th Grade Class of Sulphur's Intermediate School. Dr. Amanda Cobb-Greetham spoke and the Chickasaw Nation Dance Troupe performed. Oklahoma State Representative Wes Hilliard and members of American Legion Post #148 also participated.

After the ceremony students received a coin as a memento of the ceremony, and collectors eagerly exchanged cash for freshly minted quarters.

Designed by Donna Weaver and engraved by Jim Licaretz, the Chickasaw National Recreation Area Quarter portrays the Lincoln Bridge, constructed in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's birth. Click Here for a Closer Look at the Coin's Reverse!

"When Americans receive this quarter depicting the Lincoln Bridge in their change they will hold a piece of our American story in their hands, this one about the beauty and history of a special place conserved for them in Oklahoma," said Craig.

Despite a brief rain shower at the very start of the ceremony the attendees were enthusiastic, and several were looking forward to attending the next ceremony celebrating the El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico.

An Eruption at the US Mint. Molten Metal and Lava Collide!

I was thinking about the America the Beautiful Quarters series from the US Mint, which features United States National Parks, Historical Sites, Wildlife Sanctuaries and such. I had the opportunity to look at the designs approved by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee for the 2012 coins. The one that caught my eye first was the design for the coin from Hawaii.

The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee was established by Congress in 2003 to advise the Secretary of the Treasury on the themes and designs of all US coins and medals. The CCAC serves as an informed, experienced and impartial resource to the Secretary of the Treasury and represents the interests of American citizens and collectors. It has historically been quite conservative in its choice of designs.

The Hawai'i design is somewhat different than many designs chosen in the past. Some folks see it as "modernistic" and "almost abstract." Designers and engravers applaud the decision as endorsing artistic freedom.

Other designs in the running reportedly featured Hula Dancers, with an erupting volcano in the background. The endorsed design puts the volcano front and center. One member of the CCAC indicated that the design could be mistaken for a campfire. But Chief Engraver John Mercanti and Kaarina Budow, the Mint's manager for sales and marketing, say they will make the design work.

While I like the concept of the design, I'm afraid that I am going to need more images, and maybe actually hold the first coin in my hand before I give the design the thumbs up or thumbs down.

Art Haule
http://www.squidoo.com/nationalparkquarter




P.S. I apologize for my somewhat sporadic presence here. It'll get much better in the coming weeks. I promise!