How to Identify the 2011 Gettysburg America the Beautiful Quarter
A visual guide to the 2011 Gettysburg quarter, part of the America the Beautiful series, depicting a Civil War infantry monument and cannon at Gettysburg National Military Park.
Read the full 2011 Gettysburg America the Beautiful Quarter encyclopedia entry →
What It Is
The 2011 Gettysburg quarter is part of the America the Beautiful Quarters series (2010-2021) and honors Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania, site of a pivotal Civil War battle.
Obverse (Front)
The obverse carries the America the Beautiful series Washington portrait, facing left, with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" along the top rim, "LIBERTY" at lower left, "IN GOD WE TRUST" at lower right, and the date below the bust.
Reverse (Back)
The reverse depicts a Union infantry monument and a cannon along a stone or split-rail fence, evoking the battlefield's memorial landscape. "GETTYSBURG" arcs above, "PENNSYLVANIA" appears below the scene, and "2011," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and "QUARTER DOLLAR" complete the design.
Size, Weight, Metal, and Edge
The circulating quarter measures 24.3 mm in diameter, weighs 5.67 grams in copper-nickel clad, and has a reeded edge. A 5-ounce, 3-inch silver bullion edition of the same design was also produced for collectors.
Mint Marks
The mint mark is on the obverse near the base of Washington's neck. "P" is Philadelphia and "D" is Denver for circulation coins, while "S" marks proof coins from San Francisco.
Telling It Apart From Similar Coins
The monument, cannon, and fence scene are unique to the Gettysburg issue among America the Beautiful designs. As with all coins in this series, the shoulder-level placement of "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST" on the obverse sets it apart at a glance from the older 1999-2008 State Quarters.
Grading at a Glance
Check Washington's cheek and hairline for smoothing on the obverse. On the reverse, examine the fine details of the cannon's wheel spokes and the monument's statue figure; these small raised elements soften with wear well before the broader fence and landscape outlines lose definition.
Authenticity Red Flags
Common clad circulation strikes are inexpensive and not typically counterfeited. The larger 5-ounce silver bullion version of this design, like other America the Beautiful coins, has occasionally been targeted by counterfeiters; verify diameter, weight, and edge lettering against official Mint specifications before trusting an unusually large silver "quarter" of this design.
Frequently asked questions
What historical event does this coin commemorate?
It honors Gettysburg National Military Park, preserving the site of the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg, a major turning point in the American Civil War.
What is shown on the reverse?
A Union infantry monument and cannon positioned along a fence line, representing the battlefield's memorials.
Where is the mint mark?
On the obverse, near the base of Washington's neck below the bust.
Is this coin the same size as a regular quarter?
Yes, standard circulation strikes are the normal 24.3 mm, 5.67 gram quarter; only the special silver bullion edition of the design is much larger.