PORT ANGELES — The U.S. Mint and the National Park Service will launch a new quarter honoring Olympic National Park at Port Angeles City Pier on Tuesday.
The quarter depicts a Roosevelt elk standing on a gravel river bar of the Hoh River with a view of Mount Olympus in the background with the words “Olympic, Washington, 2011” and “E Pluribus Unum.”
The Olympic National Park quarter is part of the America the Beautiful Quarters Program, a 12-year federal initiative to honor 56 national parks and other national sites.
Gov. Chris Gregoire’s husband, Mike Gregoire, U.S. Mint Associate Director B.B. Craig, Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin and Seattle TV Meteorologist Jeff Renner are expected to attend the 11 a.m. unveiling.
People will be able to swap cash for rolls of the Olympic National Park quarters at the ceremony. Children will receive a free Olympic National Park quarter to commemorate the event.
Dave Reynolds, Olympic National Park spokesman, said similar events at other national sites have attracted thousands of visitors.
Reynolds said he expects a big turnout Tuesday.
“I think 2,000 is realistic number,” he said. “We hope to highlight the park and highlight the community.”
Elementary schools and the Stevens Middle School jazz band have been invited to the ceremony, Reynolds said
The new quarters will be given to visitors as change at Olympic National Park entrance stations.
Coin forum Monday
On Monday, the U.S. Mint will hold a coin forum at 7 p.m. at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center, 3002 Mount Angeles Road, Port Angeles.
The public can comment on future coins and learn about upcoming coin programs and initiatives.
Five new quarters are released every year in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program.
The Olympic National Park quarter is the third issued this year and the eighth since the series started in 2010.
The U.S. Mint is issuing the quarters in the order Congress approved the national sites. The series will end with Alabama’s Tuskegee Airmen Memorial in early 2021.
In order of release, here are the America the Beautiful Quarters already in circulation:
■ Hot Springs National Park.
■ Yellowstone National Park.
■ Yosemite National Park.
■ Grand Canyon National Park.
■ Mount Hood National Forest.
■ Gettysburg National Military Park.
■ Glacier National Park.
Vicksburg National Military Park and Chickasaw National Recreation Area will follow Olympic National Park in this year’s series.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com
