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WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- The United States Mint announced today that the nation will honor El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico through its new quarter-dollar coin program. The El Yunque forest's design will be the 11th to be featured on coins released under the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program, and will be issued in 2012.
Formerly known as the Caribbean National Forest, the El Yunque National Forest is the sole tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest System. Despite the forest's relatively small 28,000-acre size, it is significant for its immense biodiversity and popular with visitors for its year-round tropical climate. More than 600,000 visitors from all over the world visit the forest each year to sample the rain-forest's eco-tourism pleasures while developing a greater understanding of its ecological importance by walking the many beautiful trails. It was established as a national site in 1903.
The United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program is a multi-year initiative authorized by Public Law 110-456 -- the America's Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008. The Act directs the United States Mint to mint and issue 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 complete National Site Registry, which lists all 56 sites to be honored under the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program in chronological order by year, is available at http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/NSQuartersProgram/?action=siteRegister .
"These new quarters will honor some of our most revered, treasured and beautiful national sites -- majestic and historic places located throughout the United States and its territories that truly make us 'America the Beautiful,'" United States Mint Director Ed Moy said. "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."
Secretary of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner approved the list of sites recommended by the United States Mint on August 25, 2009, after consultation with the governor or chief executive of each host jurisdiction and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.
"The America the Beautiful series demonstrates our nation's commitment to the legacy of conservation while celebrating its natural beauty," said Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios. "Like other commemorative coins, these quarters will be a valuable addition to the U.S. Mint's collection."
"Since our Nation's founding, our coins have celebrated American ideals such as liberty and justice, our rich history and heritage, and the great Presidents and other leaders who have guided us," Salazar said. "I am pleased that these new quarters will now celebrate America the Beautiful, the spectacular natural wonders that are found in our national parks, wildlife refuges and public lands."
"From Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon to White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire, America's landscape is blessed with unmatched beauty," U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who oversees the National Forest Service, said. "Our national forests are national treasures and honoring them is an important step in preserving them for future generations."
Beginning today, customers may sign up to receive the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters released each year through several new Online Subscription Programs - a two-roll set (one roll of 40 coins with the "P" mint mark for Philadelphia and one roll of 40 coins with the "D" mint mark for Denver); 100-coin bag (P); 100-coin bag (D); two 100-coin bags (P and D); 1,000-coin bag (P); 1,000-coin bag (D); two 1,000-coin bags (P and D); United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Proof Set(TM); and United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Silver Proof Set(TM), with the five coins struck in 90 percent silver.
To place subscription orders for these products, visit the United States Mint Web site at http://www.usmint.gov/catalog or call 1-800-USA-MINT (872-6468). Hearing- and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment may order by calling 1-888-321-MINT (6468). Prices for these products have not yet been established. However, similar product prices are $32.95 each for the two-roll sets and 100-coin bags; $309.95 each for the 1,000-coin bags; $65.90 each for the two 100-coin bags; $619.90 each for the two 1,000-coin bags; $14.95 for the proof set; and $29.95 for the silver proof set.
Additionally, under the United States Mint America the Beautiful Silver Bullion Coin(TM) Program, the United States Mint will mint and offer for sale silver bullion coins that are duplicates of the quarters. The bullion coins, to be struck in .999 fine silver, will be three inches in diameter and weigh five ounces. The fineness and weight will be edge-incused.
For more information about the United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program, please visit http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/NSQuartersProgram/index.cfm .
Created by Congress in 1792, The United States Mint is the Nation's sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage. Its primary mission is to produce an adequate volume of circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The United States Mint also produces proof, uncirculated and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; and gold, silver and platinum bullion coins.
SOURCE United States Mint
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