Final designs were released July 29 by the U.S. Mint for the reverses of the 2015 America the Beautiful quarters.
This will be the sixth year of the 12-year ATB cycle featuring a total of 56 designs. Five designs are issued each year with a single design slated for the final year of the program in 2021.
Design descriptions were provided by the U.S. Mint.
First up will be the Homestead National Monument of America in Nebraska.
This design represents the three fundamentals of survival common to all homesteaders: food, shelter and water. Inscriptions are HOMESTEAD, NEBRASKA, 2015, and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
The reverse was designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) artist Ronald D. Sanders and will be sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz.
Louisiana’s Kisatchie National Forest will be honored by the second design of 2015.
This design features a wild turkey in flight over blue stem grass with long leaf pine in the background. Inscriptions are KISATCHIE, LOUISIANA, 2015, and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
The reverse was designed by AIP artist Susan Gamble and will be sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.
Third design will be North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Parkway.
This design depicts the grace and curvature of the road hugging the side of a mountain, with the North Carolina state flower in the foreground. Inscriptions are BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY, NORTH CAROLINA, 2015, and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
The reverse was designed by AIP artist Frank Morris and will be sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.
Fourth design for the year will be the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware.
This design features a great blue heron in the foreground and a great egret in the background. Inscriptions are BOMBAY HOOK, DELAWARE, 2015, and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
The reverse was designed by AIP artist Joel Iskowitz and will be sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.
The final design honors Saratoga National Historical Park in New York.
This design is a close-up of the moment Gen. John Burgoyne surrendered his sword to Gen. Horatio Gates, a pivotal moment many believe marked the ‘beginning of the end of the American Revolutionary War.’ Inscriptions are BRITISH SURRENDER 1777, SARATOGA, NEW YORK, 2015, and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
The reverse was designed by AIP artist Barbara Fox and will be sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Renata Gordon.