Are you looking for something new and exciting to add to your coin collection? Then the ‘America the Beautiful’ National Park coins might just be what you are looking for. Since 1999, the U.S. Mint has issued two series of state quarters honouring the heritage of each part of the country.
The second series from the U.S. Mint ran from 2010 to 2021 and focused on a national park from each state. With their intricate designs, interesting backstory and unlimited potential for collecting, these coins offer an engaging experience that is sure to entice collectors. It is important to note that most of the quarters are non-silver, but silver versions are available in each year’s silver proof set.
Take a journey with us as we explore this exciting realm and discover why National Park silver coins make such excellent additions to any collection!
What Are USA National Park Coins?
The National Park Coins featured all 50 states of the U.S., the five territories, and the District of Columbia. The Mint released five ‘America the Beautiful’ quarters each year from 2010 to 2020. In 2021, the Mint issued the final design in the US National Park Coins series, for Alabama. The coins’ designs and release were aligned with the America’s Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Series Act of 2008.
The Mint reached out to each state and territory to select a National Park to be featured on the quarter. The goal was to choose a park that had significance, either through a historical or natural resource lens. The Mint worked with state governors and other executive leaders to select the National Park that was most appropriate.
After each National Park was chosen, the order of the coins’ release was decided. The previous state quarter series from 1999 released each state’s quarter following the timeline of when each state joined the union. For this series, the Mint decided to release the state quarters based on the date of each National Park’s creation.
The legislation that allowed the quarter project to proceed also offered an opportunity for another state quarter program after 2021, but this project didn’t happen. Next on the agenda for the U.S. Mint after the National Park Coins is a quarter series featuring prominent American women.
National Parks Represented
The coin series has given the U.S. Mint an opportunity to promote 56 of the country’s national parks. The National Park system had 92 million visitors in 2021 and continues to see more foot traffic as people explore the different landscapes in the nation.
There are 63 National Parks in the United States. Here are the parks represented in the National Park Coins series:
- 2010 – Hot Springs, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Mount Hood
- 2011 – Gettysburg, Glacier, Olympic, Vicksburg, Chickasaw
- 2012 – El Yunque, Chaco Culture, Acadia, Hawaii Volcanoes, Denali
- 2013 – White Mountain, Perry’s Victory, Great Basin, Fort McHenry, Mount Rushmore
- 2014 – Great Smoky Mountains, Shenandoah, Arches, Great Sand Dunes, Everglades
- 2015 – Homestead, Kisatchie, Blue Ridge Parkway, Bombay Hook, Saratoga
- 2016 – Shawnee, Cumberland Gap, Harpers Ferry, Theodore Roosevelt, Fort Sumter
- 2017 – Effigy Mounds, Frederick Douglass, Ozark Riverways, Ellis Island, George Rogers Clark
- 2018 – Pictured Rocks, Apostle Islands, Voyageurs, Cumberland Island, Block Island
- 2019 – Lowell National, American Memorial, War in the Pacific Park, San Antonio Missions, Frank Church-River of No Return
- 2020 – National Park of American Samoa, Weir Farm, Salt River Bay, Marsh Billings-Rockefeller Park, Tallgrass Prairie
- 2021 – Tuskegee Airmen Site
What To Look for in Collectible Coins
When collecting National Park coins, there are certain features that make a coin the best specimen. Experts and coin collectors look for details in a coin that make it more valuable. Essentially, the rarest coins and the best-looking specimens will be the most coveted.
The National Park silver coins aren’t rare when you compare them to other series of coins from the U.S. Mint. If you want to collect these coins, you should aim to look for specimens that have the least imperfections. Collectible coins should also feature sharp designs that haven’t been worn down. That’s why coins that haven’t been circulated are more in demand.
It’s important to handle collectible coins with care. Only hold the coin by the edges to avoid getting fingerprints on the design.
Gorgeous U.S. Mint Coins at Colonial Acres
Colonial Acres Coins features the National Park Coins online for customers on a regular basis. The supply of these coins varies depending on the availability of each series. Our team of coin experts regularly purchases entire coin collections from enthusiasts. When families decide to downsize or there is an estate sale, we bring in more coin specimens that someone else may value.
We provide collectors with online sales of coins from the U.S. Mint and other national mints. We offer coins from the Philadelphia Mint, identified by the “P” mint mark and the Denver Mint, identified by the “D” mint mark. Customers can order individual uncirculated quarters from the series or a set of multiple quarters to complete their collection. Also available are United States Mint uncirculated and proof sets containing America the Beautiful quarters.
Building and Displaying Your Coin Collection
One of the most satisfying and exciting parts of collecting coins is creating a unique way to show off your treasures. Coin collectors have many different ways they can show off their coins while also keeping their investments protected from damage. If you only have one set of coins, like the National Park Coins, you could show them off in an album.
For larger collections, you can get more creative with your display types. Some collectors place their rare coins and specimens in a display case or shadow box. This allows friends and family members to take a look at your collection without handling coins and potentially damaging them. You can get one large shadow box or a case with drawers, giving viewers multiple levels of access.
The next thing to think about when considering your display is your organizational style. You have to organize your coins in a visual way that makes sense to someone who may not know a lot about coin history. You could group your coins by series or significance. You could also set them up chronologically if you have older coins in your collection.
How To Find National Park Coins for Sale
If you want to find National Park coins for sale, there are several different strategies to look for them. Since the quarters were relatively recently issued, there is a good chance you could get them in circulation by paying cash while on a trip to the States. You may also find the quarters at the secondary market online or through other collectors.
Colonial Acres carries the National Parks coins and you can choose from individual coins minted in Philadelphia or Denver, or explore our exclusive bundles featuring all ten coins for the year (5xP and 5xD).
For the discerning collector, we offer original US Mint rolls, uncirculated sets, proof sets, and silver proof sets ( which is where the silver versions are found). Uncover the beauty and majesty of these limited-edition silver versions while they last.
Cultivate Your Own Collection of National Park Coins
The National Park silver coins from Colonial Acres Coins would be a stunning addition to any coin collection. These coins bring to life the most treasured national parks and sites of the United States of America. These coins share an insight into the country’s commitment to its natural heritage. Colonial Acres offers some display options for seasoned or new collectors so you can show off the beauty of the National Parks in the American nation. Check out our website or contact us today.