In 2010 a new series of quarters will be launched by the United States Mint. The America the Beautiful Quarters series will issue a total of 56 circulating quarter dollar coins over the course of twelve years, featuring National Parks or other National Sites from each of the states, territories, and the District of Columbia.

The new series begins two years after the conclusion of the popular 50 State Quarters Program. From 1999 to 2008, the US Mint released a total of fifty different coins to honor each of the states. Average Americans were able to learn more about history and geography by examining the coins received in change. A separate program was launch in 2009 to feature the remaining United States Territories and Washington, DC.

While the America the Beautiful Quarters Program will be similar to the other programs, it will have a unique focus and introduce an accompanying bullion program. The new program will feature 56 different coins, with unique depictions on the “tails side” of the coin. The “heads side” will feature a restored portrait of George Washington. Quarters will also be released at a rate of five per year, but with a single design in the final year. The new coins will be released into circulation, making potential collectors out of anyone who receives them.

The focus of the series will shift National sites. Under the authorizing legislation, this includes any site under the supervision, management, or conservancy of the National Park Service, United States Forest Service, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or similar department or agency of the federal government. Sites selected for the program include National Parks, National Forests, National Preserves, and National Wildlife Refuges.

The new collectible introduced with the series will be over-sized silver bullion coins. These five ounce .999 fine silver coins will be issued each year with designs which are an exact duplicate of the quarters. The coins will be sold by the United States Mint as bullion through their network of authorized bullion purchasers.

The United States Mint has already established the order of release for the entire 56 quarter program. The America the Beautiful Quarters will issue the different designs in the order the sites were federally designated. The first year of release will include Hot Springs National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, the Grand Canyon, and Mount Hood National Forest.

Find detailed information about the upcoming America the Beautiful Quarters Program. View the America the Beautiful Quarters Release Dates.