How to Identify the US America the Beautiful Quarters
Struck from 2010 to 2021, these quarters honor national parks and sites, one per design. Look for a park name and its home state on the reverse.
Read the full US America the Beautiful Quarters encyclopedia entry →
What These Coins Are
The America the Beautiful Quarters Program followed the 50 State Quarters, running from 2010 through 2021. It issued 56 designs, five per year, each depicting a national park, forest, or historic site chosen from every state, the District of Columbia, and the five territories. The Washington obverse remains, but each reverse celebrates a different landmark.
Obverse Design and Inscriptions
The obverse carries a restored, higher-relief version of John Flanagan's Washington portrait, facing left. Inscriptions read UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and QUARTER DOLLAR. As with the State Quarters, the date sits on the reverse rather than the obverse.
Reverse Design and Inscriptions
Each reverse shows a scenic or architectural view of the honored site, with the site's name across the top, the state or territory below it, the year, and E PLURIBUS UNUM. Examples include Yosemite's Half Dome, the Grand Canyon, and the Everglades. The site name and its location make identification straightforward.
Size, Weight, Metal and Edge
Circulation quarters are copper-nickel clad, 24.26 mm across, weighing 5.67 grams, with a reeded edge. The program also produced large five-ounce silver bullion versions three inches wide, but standard coins match the familiar quarter size.
Mint Marks and Where to Find Them
The mint mark appears on the obverse near the lower right of Washington's neck, unlike the State Quarters. P, D, and S indicate Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. Look just above the rim below the truncation of the bust.
Telling It Apart From Similar Coins
The main confusion is with State Quarters. If the reverse names a national park or site and gives a state below it, it is an America the Beautiful quarter. If it names the state itself with a statehood date, it belongs to the earlier program. The obverse mint-mark position also differs between the two.
Judging Condition at a Glance
Inspect the fine engraving in each landscape and Washington's cheek and hair for wear. Full luster and crisp foliage or rock detail mark a high grade. The three-inch silver versions should show either a bright bullion finish or, for collector versions, a satin uncirculated surface.
Authenticity Red Flags
Watch for colorized or plated aftermarket coins sold as "special editions"; these are altered after leaving the mint. Genuine five-ounce silver pieces bear edge lettering noting .999 fine silver and 5.0 oz; a plain-edged coin claimed to be silver bullion is suspect.
Frequently asked questions
How are these different from State Quarters?
State Quarters name a state with its statehood date; America the Beautiful quarters name a national park or site with its state below.
Where is the mint mark located?
On the obverse, near the lower right of Washington's neck, just above the rim.
What are the giant three-inch quarters?
They are five-ounce .999 silver bullion versions of the same designs, with edge lettering stating the weight and fineness.
How many designs are in the series?
There are 56, covering all states, the District of Columbia, and five territories from 2010 to 2021.