Mint Launches 50th ATB Quarter
Salmon, Idaho, was the background against which the U.S. Mint debuted the fifth and final America the Beautiful quarter of 2019. The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness quarter launch held Nov. 6, also marked another milestone: the 50th coin released to date in the ATB quarter program.
The America the Beautiful quarter honoring Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness in Idaho is the final ATB to launch in 2019 as well as the 50th coin issued in the program. (Image courtesy U.S. Mint.)
During the ceremony, David J. Ryder, Mint director, expressed his sentiments about the new quarter, saying it “serves as a reminder of the essence of the Wilderness – more than two million acres of prehistoric mountains, fertile conifers and commanding rivers but flourishing with stories of heritage and wonder.”
Two youngsters hold the new Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness quarters and pose for a photo with Charles Mark, forest supervisor, Salmon-Challis National Forest. (U.S. Mint photo by Jill Westeyn.)
Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness comprises rugged mountains, deep canyons and wild whitewater rivers, including the Main Salmon River and Middle Fork of the Salmon River.
The reverse design of the quarter representing this site depicts a piloted drift boat on a rushing river encompassed by the trees and rock formations of the wilderness.
John Burns, former forest supervisor, Salmon National Forest, welcomes attendees and distinguished guests during the launch of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness quarter Nov. 6 in Salmon, Idaho. The coin is the 50th release in the Mint’s America the Beautiful program. (U.S. Mint photo by Jill Westeyn.)
The live-streamed ceremony included guest speakers Mike Simpson, U.S. Representative of Idaho’s 2nd Congressional District; Larry LaRocco, former U.S. Representative of the 1st Congressional District; Kathryn Hitch, regional director for U.S. Senator Mike Crapo; Amy Taylor, regional director for U.S. Senator James Risch; Charles Mark, supervisor of Salmon-Challis National Forest; and John Burns, former forest supervisor of Salmon National Forest, who served as master of ceremonies.
Charles Mark, forest supervisor, Salmon-Challis National Forest, speaks to attendees at the quarter launch ceremony. (U.S. Mint photo by Brian Martin.)
The Salmon High School Legacy Choir performs for attendees before the quarter launch ceremony at Salmon Jr/Sr High School in Salmon, Idaho. (U.S. Mint photo by Jill Westeyn.)
The customary coin exchange, where members of the public can exchange cash for rolls of the new quarter, rounded out the event.
The Mint released collectible rolls and bags containing Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness quarters on Nov. 4. These products are available for purchase online at catalog.usmint.gov/coin-programs/america-the-beautiful-quarters-program/ or by calling 1-800-USA-MINT.
The America the Beautiful initiative honors 56 national parks and other national sites. Each year until 2020,five new quarters are released in the order in which the national sites were established. The final coin is scheduled for release in 2021.
