2017-09-02 Sat

The launch ceremony for the 2017 Ellis Island National Monument quarter dollar was attended by almost 350 people, including 30 children at Ellis Island on 30th August. Out of the 56 coins to be released in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program, this one is the 39th. A 2017-P quarter dollar was handed over for free to every child who attended the ceremony. The coin forum was attended by almost 25 people where they discussed various aspects of the coin and U.S. Mint coin programs with U.S. Mint senior advisor Todd Baldau. U.S. quarter dollar rolls were exchanged for cash worth $18,400, for $10 per 40-coin roll.

The new quarter dollars were circulated officially on 28th August when circulation quality examples in 100-coin bags and 40-coin rolls were offered from Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco Mints. The San Francisco Mint coins are struck in circulation quality, but only the coins struck at Philadelphia and Denver Mints are circulated.

U.S. Mint’s Artistic Infusion Program artist Barbara Fox designed the coin and offered her autograph for collectors and others. She also signed some of the paper wrappers on the rolled coins. The reverse features an immigrant family going towards Ellis Island and was sculptured by U.S. Mint Medallic Sculptor Phebe Hemphill.