How to Identify the 2010 Hot Springs America the Beautiful Quarter
A visual guide to the 2010 Hot Springs quarter, the first coin in the America the Beautiful Quarters series, depicting a historic bathhouse building.
Read the full 2010 Hot Springs America the Beautiful Quarter encyclopedia entry →
What It Is
The 2010 Hot Springs quarter was the very first coin released in the U.S. Mint's America the Beautiful Quarters series (2010-2021), which honors national parks and other national sites. It represents Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas.
Obverse (Front)
The obverse uses a new Washington portrait design introduced for this series, based on the original 1932 Laura Gardin Fraser sculpture rejected decades earlier. Washington faces left, with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" arcing above, "LIBERTY" at the lower left, "IN GOD WE TRUST" at the lower right, and the date below.
Reverse (Back)
The reverse depicts a historic bathhouse building from Hot Springs' famed Bathhouse Row, shown with steam or vapor rising in front of it. "HOT SPRINGS" arcs above, "ARKANSAS" appears beneath the building, and "2010" along with "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and "QUARTER DOLLAR" complete the design.
Size, Weight, Metal, and Edge
Circulation strikes measure 24.3 mm in diameter and weigh 5.67 grams in copper-nickel clad, with a reeded edge. The U.S. Mint also issued 5-ounce, 3-inch silver bullion versions of this design for collectors, which are far larger and heavier than the quarter-size coin.
Mint Marks
The mint mark is on the obverse, at the base of Washington's neck near the truncation. "P" is Philadelphia, "D" is Denver, and "S" appears on proof and some silver proof coins from San Francisco.
Telling It Apart From Similar Coins
This new obverse portrait, with "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST" positioned around Washington's shoulder rather than above his head, distinguishes all America the Beautiful Quarters from the earlier 1999-2008 State Quarters at a glance. Among ATB quarters themselves, the bathhouse building and steam imagery are unique to Hot Springs.
Grading at a Glance
Check Washington's cheek and the fine hair detail near his ear on the obverse. On the reverse, look at the architectural detail of the bathhouse facade and the fine lines representing steam; wear typically flattens the building's window and cornice details first.
Authenticity Red Flags
Common clad Hot Springs quarters are inexpensive and rarely counterfeited, but the large 5-ounce silver "America the Beautiful" bullion coins of this design have been targeted by counterfeiters producing undersized or underweight copies; verify diameter (three inches), weight, and edge lettering against official specifications if purchasing the bullion version rather than the circulating quarter.
Frequently asked questions
How is the ATB Quarters obverse different from the earlier State Quarters?
The America the Beautiful series uses a different Washington portrait with "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST" placed near his shoulder rather than above his head and beside his neck, making it visually distinct from the 1999-2008 State Quarters at a glance.
What is shown on the reverse of the Hot Springs quarter?
A historic bathhouse building from Hot Springs National Park's Bathhouse Row, with steam rising in front of it, reflecting the site's natural thermal springs.
Where is the mint mark located?
On the obverse, near the base of Washington's neck (truncation of the bust).
Is the 2010 Hot Springs quarter the first in its series?
Yes, it was the first coin released in the America the Beautiful Quarters program, which ran from 2010 through 2021.