2015 America the Beautiful Quarters® Program Coin Designs

United States Mint Announces 2015 America the Beautiful Quarters® Program Coin Designs
Source: usmint.gov

The United States Mint (Mint) today announced the five new reverse (tails side) designs that will appear on the 2015 coins released in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program.

The coin designs honor Homestead National Monument of America (Neb.), Kisatchie National Forest (La.), Blue Ridge Parkway (N.C.), Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (Del.), and Saratoga National Historical Park (N.Y.).

Homestead National Monument of America 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 United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Jim Licaretz.

Kisatchie National Forest 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 United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Joseph Menna.

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.

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge 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 United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Phebe Hemphill.

Saratoga National Historical Park This design is a close-up of the moment General John Burgoyne surrendered his sword to General 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.

The obverse (heads side) of the coins will continue to feature the familiar 1932 portrait of George Washington by John Flanagan. Required inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and QUARTER DOLLAR.

The United States Mint America the Beautiful Quarters Program is authorized by the America's Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008 (Act) (Public Law 110-456). The Act directs the bureau to design, mint, and issue quarter-dollar coins emblematic of a national park or other national site in each state, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories. In accordance with the Act, the Mint is issuing the new quarters at the rate of five per year until 2020 in the order in which each honored site was first established as a national site. The final coin will be released in 2021.

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A look at the word Numismatic

Obscure Finds Coin Collection 
Source: coins.obscurefinds.com

Obscure Finds Coin Collection (OFCC) has created a new way to look at coins on the internet including a responsive design that helps user that are on the ever growing popular mobile devices.

The OFCC has approached this project with some simple ideas.
- document with trusted sources coins that was in our collection
- learn more about coin collecting and numismatics

During the process the OFCC has created the website located at http://coin.obscurefinds.com.
Sometime between the design process and schema creation a side project was created and segregated. This project is known as the Numismatic Coin Collection Database (NCCD) more information about the intentions of this project will come in the next few months.

Below we look at the word Numismatic


Numismatics

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, and related objects. While numismatists are often characterized as students or collectors of coins, the discipline also includes the broader study of money and other payment media used to resolve debts and the exchange of goods. Early money used by people is referred to as "Odd and Curious", but the use of other goods in barter exchange is excluded, even where used as a circulating currency (e.g., cigarettes in prison). The Kyrgyz people used horses as the principal currency unit and gave small change in lambskins;[1] the lambskins may be suitable for numismatic study, but the horse is not. Many objects have been used for centuries, such as cowry shells, precious metals, and gems.

Today, most transactions take place by a form of payment with either inherent, standardized, or credit value. Numismatic value may be used to refer to the value in excess of the monetary value conferred by law, which is known as the "collector value."

Economic and historical studies of money's use and development are an integral part of the numismatists' study of money's physical embodiment.

Modern numismatics

Modern numismatics is the study of the coins of the mid-17th century onward, the period of machine struck coins. Their study serves more the need of collectors than historians and it is more often successfully pursued by amateur aficionados than by professional scholars. The focus of modern numismatics lies frequently in the research of production and use of money in historical contexts using mint or other records in order to determine the relative rarity of the coins they study. Varieties, mint-made errors, the results of progressive die wear, mintage figures and even the sociopolitical context of coin mintings are also matters of interest.

REF

Numismatic Definition
Source:  merriam-webster.com

Definition of NUMISMATIC

1

:  of or relating to numismatics

2

:  of or relating to currency :  monetary

Origin of NUMISMATIC

French numismatique, from Latin nomismat-, nomisma coin, from Greek, current coin, from nomizein to use, from nomoscustom, law — more at nimble

First Known Use: 1792

REF

1913 Canadian Arctic Expedition

Canadian Arctic Expedition

Royal Canadian Mint President Ian Bennett, at left, and Dr. David Gray, a Research Associate at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa,unveil a model of one of two new quarters at the Nellie McClung branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library on Cedar Hill Road. The quarters celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the first official Canadian Arctic expedition and life in the Canadian North. The expedition departed from Esquimalt harbour. Dr. David Gray, a Research Associate at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, is an expert on the Arctic expedition and a native of Esquimalt.— Image Credit: Don Denton/News Staff

New coins celebrate Victoria's role in Arctic expedition

by Don Denton - Victoria News

posted Nov 22, 2013 at 12:00 PM— updated Nov 22, 2013 at 5:13 PM
The president of the Royal Canadian Mint, Ian Bennett, was on hand Friday morning to help unveil Canada's latest quarter coins at the Nellie McClung branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library.

Helping to unveil the coins were Nanaimo-Alberni MP James Lunney and David Gray, a research associate with the Canadian Museum of Nature. Twenty-five million of the 25 cent commemorative coins will begin to be distributed into circulation today.

The coins celebrate the 100th anniversary of Canada's first official Arctic expedition as well as life in the north. The expedition set out from Victoria, sailing from Esquimalt harbour. The Prime Minister at the time Sir Robert Borden sent the expedition to map the western Arctic and to study the peoples, wildlife and geology.

Gray, who was born in Esquimalt, is an expert on the 1913 expedition and has made several trips to the sites visited by the original explorers.


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Canada - Twenty-Five Cents
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2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Coins

Coins Honoring Louis Braille

Louis Braille

Louis Braille (4 January 1809 – 6 January 1852) was a French educator and inventor of a system of reading and writing for use by the blind or visually impaired. His system remains known worldwide simply as braille.

Blinded in both eyes as a result of an early childhood accident, Braille mastered his disability while still a boy. He excelled in his education and received scholarship to France's Royal Institute for Blind Youth. While still a student there, he began developing a system of tactile code that could allow blind persons to read and write quickly and efficiently. Inspired by the military cryptography of Charles Barbier, Braille constructed a new method built specifically for the needs of the blind. He presented his work to his peers for the first time in 1824.[1]

2009 Louis Braille Coins


1. Belgian 2-euro commemorative coin

The newest Belgian 2-euro commemorative coin is dedicated to Louis Braille (1809 – 1852) and the 200th anniversary of his birthday.

Louis Braille is the inventor of braille, the world-wide system used by blind and visually impaired people for reading and writing. The inner part of the coin features his portrait between his initials L and B, in the alphabet that he designed.[2]

2. Italy 2-euro commemorative coin

The coin depicts a hand reading an open book by touch. The index finger points at a vertical inscription ‘LOUIS BRAILLE 1809-2009’ and two birds in flight above the hand symbolise freedom of knowledge. The monogram of the Italian Republic, ‘RI’, is at the top right, while the mint mark ‘R’ is at the bottom right. Braille’s name is written under the book in the alphabet that he invented. At the very bottom are the initials ‘MCC’ of the artist Maria Carmela Colaneri. The 12 stars of the European Union are shown on the outer ring.[3]

3. India 2 Rupee Coin

Obverse : The face of coin is divided into three portions with two horizontal lines. The left centre portion shall bear the Lion Capitol of Ashoka Pillar with the legend सत्यमेव जयते inscribed below, and right centre portion denominational value "2" in International Numeral. In the upper portion the word भारत in Hindi and "INDIA" in English and lower portion the word रूपये in Hindi and "Rupees" in English.
Reverse : The face of the coin shall contain the portrait of "LOUIS BRAILLE" in the centre. Left upper periphery the word लुई ब्रेल in Hindi and right upper periphery the word " LOUIS BRAILLE "in English. In centre Left side of the portraits, the year '1809 and right side '2009' in International Numerals. Below the portrait the word "LOUIS BRAILLE" in Braille Language.[4]

4. US Commemorative Silver Dollar

Now, for the first time in history, a United States coin features readable Braille. It is available in both proof and uncirculated versions. The obverse (heads) features a portrait of Louis Braille designed by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) Master Designer Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor/Engraver Phebe Hemphill. It is also inscribed with LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, LOUIS BRAILLE, 1809 and 2009.

The reverse (tails), showing a child reading a book in Braille, was designed by United States Mint AIP Master Designer Susan Gamble and sculpted by United States Mint Sculptor/Engraver Joseph Menna. The word Braille (abbreviated Brl in Braille code) is depicted in the upper field. The word INDEPENDENCE is featured on a bookshelf behind the child, in addition to the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE DOLLAR and E PLURIBUS UNUM.[5]

[1] en.wikipedia.org REF
[2] nbbmuseum.be REF
[3] ecb.europa.eu REF
[4] rbi.org.in REF
[5] usmint.gov REF

Related To: 
US - 2009 Louis Braille Bicentennial Silver Dollar 
US - Commemoratives
US - 

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Lyndall Bass Obverse Desinger Shield Cent

2010 LINCOLN PENNY REVERSE: THE UNION SHIELD CENT

Lyndall Bass (born July 5, 1952) is an American realist painter and teacher who primarily paints still lifes, flower paintings and symbolist figure paintings. She lives and works in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is the designer of the 2010 penny known as the Union Shield Penny.

Awards and honors

Lyndall Bass’ design for the new 2010 Penny has been selected as the winning image in a Federal competition as one of eighteen finalists. Her initials, LB, can be found on the reverse under the left side of the scroll. The intials JFM on the right side belong to Joseph F. Mennna, the staff medalist who sculpted the design. The coin entered circulation in 2010 and will be ongoing each year for at least the next fifty years.

The design is emblematic of President Lincoln’s preservation of the United States of America as a single and united country. The penny features a Civil War era shield with vertical stripes symbolizing the thirteen original states joined in a single compact union. The E Pluribus Unum above them is Latin for “Out of Many One”. The scroll across the shield bears a One Cent curved letter design meant by the artist to stand for the re-establishment of trust in the economic flow of currency after the Civil War. Without the resolve of President Lincoln to win the Civil War, establishing peace and cooperation, we would not be the fifty United States we are today.

Lyndall Bass Autograph special issue PCGS graded Shield Cent slabs can be ordered from CoinFame.com

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US - Half-Cents and Cents
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1950-2001 1 Pfennig Deutscher Lander FACT

Currency reform of June 1948

The Deutsche Mark was introduced on Sunday, June 20, 1948 by Ludwig Erhard. The old Reichsmark and Rentenmark were exchanged for the new currency at a rate of DM 1 = RM 1 for the essential currency such as wages, payment of rents etc., and DM 1 = RM 10 for the remainder in private non-bank credit balances, with half frozen. Large amounts were exchanged for RM 10 to 65 Pfennig. In addition, each person received a per capita allowance of DM 60 in two parts, the first being DM 40 and the second DM 20.

A few weeks later Erhard, acting against orders, issued an edict abolishing many economic controls which had been originally implemented by the Nazis, and which the Allies had not removed. He did this, as he often confessed, on Sunday because the offices of the American, British, and French occupation authorities were closed that day. He was sure that if he had done it when they were open, they would have countermanded the order.

The introduction of the new currency was intended to protect western Germany from a second wave of hyperinflation and to stop the rampant barter and black market trade (where American cigarettes acted as currency). Although the new currency was initially only distributed in the three western occupation zones outside Berlin, the move angered the Soviet authorities, who regarded it as a threat. The Soviets promptly cut off all road, rail and canal links between the three western zones and West Berlin, starting the Berlin Blockade. In response, the U.S. and Britain launched an airlift of food and coal and distributed the new currency in West Berlin as well.

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Germany - 1950-2001 1 Pfennig Deutscher Lander 
Germany - 1 Pfennig
Germany

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1968-1999 - Elizabeth II - Canadian Quarter FACT

1973 Canadian 25 Cent Small vs Large Bust

1973 Canadian 25 Cent
Small Bust vs Large Bust
(The Mountie Quarter)

There are very slight variations between them. These variations are somewhat noticeable in the Queen's hair. The hair on the (small bust) piece shows more detail than the hair on the (large bust) piece.
Referenced From CoinQuest.com


Coin Varieties:

Being a 1 year type coin one would not expect any major varieties to exist but one does. These varieties exist due to two different obverse dies that were used. A new design with a smaller bust of Queen Elizabeth II was to be used but some coins were minted with an older obverse die giving way to a large bust variety.

One way to tell them apart is by the circle of beads surrounding the design. Some reference books may refer to them as Large Bust (132 beads) and Small Bust (120 beads). But, to count the number of beads will make you cross-eyed after awhile so we highly recommend that you not do this! Instead, the easier way to identify the difference is by simply looking at how close the beading is to the edge or rim of the coin. Large bust beading is extremely close to the rim while small bust design has beading that is further away from the rim.

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Canada - Twenty Cents
Canada

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