"When Americans pull this coin out of their pockets, some will remember fond memories of their family vacation in Yellowstone, others will be inspired to visit Yellowstone to create new memories," said United States Mint Director Ed Moy.
"Many Americans will make the connection to their rich history as a nation and the extraordinary natural resources of Wyoming."
Moy and Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Suzanne Lewis co-hosted the event, with park Public Affairs Officer Al Nash serving as master of ceremonies. Noted Yellowstone historian and author Paul Schullery was a special guest speaker.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, members of the public attending the event exchanged their paper currency for rolls of the new Yellowstone National Park quarters at face value, while children 18 and younger received one of the new Yellowstone National Park quarters as a memento.
"We are excited to be able to kick off the summer visitor season with the debut of this quarter," Lewis said. "The images depicted on the coin of a bison and Old Faithful offer a sense of the special nature of Yellowstone."
Quarters bearing the Yellowstone National Park design were released into circulation on June 1. The reverse (tails side) design features the famous geyser with a mature bull bison in the foreground. The obverse (heads) design features the 1932 portrait of George Washington by John Flanagan, which was restored to bring out subtle details and the beauty of the original model.
New lesson plans based on the America the Beautiful Quarters Program are also available. Created and reviewed by teachers to meet national curricular standards, the plans draw on the new quarter reverse designs to inspire students to learn about the culture, geography and unique heritage and natural beauty of the national parks and sites.
For more information about America the Beautiful Quarters Program educational resources, visit http://www.usmint.gov.
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